As professional photographers gain experience, it’s not uncommon to find a specialization that aligns with their strengths and interests. Some focus on capturing timeless wedding moments, while others build thriving careers working with real estate professionals. If you’re someone who is drawn to real estate photography, you’re not alone—this sector has become a sought-after niche.
As of 2024, there are approximately 6,591 real estate photography businesses in the U.S., marking a 10.5% growth from the previous year, according to IBIS data. With a rapidly expanding market, now is the perfect time to refine your portfolio and make it stand out to the real estate professionals you’re eager to work with.
So, what’s the best way to break into the industry? Partnering with HomeJab, the #1 platform for real estate photographers, is a great start. But also, taking a little time to refresh your promo materials and beef up your portfolio can really help you stand out.
How can I break into the real estate photography industry?
There are more than 151,000 photographers in the U.S., and many are diving into niches like real estate photography. The great news? Getting into this field is totally doable with the right strategy and mindset. Here’s how you can kick things off:
1. Make Your Portfolio Better
To get started, you need a strong portfolio that demonstrates your skills. If you don’t have real estate projects under your belt yet, consider volunteering or doing shoots for friends, family, or local businesses to build your body of work. For instance, if you know a friend who is a real estate agent or a property manager, offer to shoot some listings for free or at a discounted rate in exchange for permission to use those images in your portfolio.
Once you have a few good shots, focus on creating a well-rounded portfolio with a mix of interior and exterior shots, wide-angle views, and detail shots like appliances, flooring, and light fixtures. Showing versatility will help you stand out when pitching to potential clients.
2. Learn the Ins and Outs of Real Estate Photography
You know that saying, “If you don’t understand the product, you can’t market it?” Well, real estate photography is no exception. The more you understand about real estate, the better you’ll be at capturing images that highlight a property’s best features.
When you’re shooting homes, you have to keep in mind that the photos are the first thing potential buyers will see online. These pictures are literally what’s going to make or break someone’s decision to come see a place in person. So, it’s not just about getting a good shot of the living room. You need to think about what the buyer wants to feel when they look at these images. Is it cozy? Spacious? Bright and airy? Every shot should make them feel like this could be their future home.
Plus, understanding how to work with space—like knowing how to capture the right angles to make a room appear larger or highlighting natural light—is crucial. You’ll need to think about what features of the house matter most to buyers in that market. Is it the large kitchen island? The walk-in closet? A beautifully landscaped backyard? Knowing these nuances will help you make sure you’re showcasing the property in the best possible way.
3. Network and Market Yourself
Networking is huge when you’re starting out in real estate photography. Honestly, it’s one of the best ways to land your first gigs. Start small—reach out to local real estate agents, brokers, and property managers. For example, you could shoot them a quick email like, “Hey, I’m a local photographer and I’d love to help make your listings pop with some high-quality photos. I’m offering a discounted rate for new clients and would love to chat about how I can help you attract more buyers.”
It doesn’t hurt to get involved in local networking groups for real estate pros or even attend industry events, whether in person or virtually. It’s all about meeting people and making connections. You could even team up with local home stagers or interior designers—they work with agents all the time and could refer you to clients.
And don’t forget the power of online marketing! Set up a simple but professional website to show off your portfolio. Create accounts on social media—Instagram and LinkedIn are gold for this. Post your best shots regularly with captions that draw people in, and you’ll start attracting real estate agents and property owners who need your services.
4. Understand the Importance of a Quick Turnaround
The real estate world moves fast, and agents are always on tight schedules. They need high-quality photos they can use right away to market properties. So, being able to deliver quick turnaround times is key.
When you’re starting out, it’s smart to let clients know you’re all about speed. You could say something like, “I’ll have your photos edited and ready in 24-48 hours,” or “I’ll send over the first batch tomorrow so you can get your listings live ASAP.” Being fast and reliable will definitely help you become a go-to photographer for agents who need to keep things moving.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Set Yourself Apart
With so many photographers in the industry, it’s important to carve out your own unique selling point. What makes your work different from others? Is it your ability to create stunning twilight shots? Your exceptional detail shots? Or maybe it’s the fact that your photos break away from the typical, cookie-cutter real estate shots you see on the MLS.
Take a minute to think about what you can offer that others can’t. Maybe you’re all about offering drone shots that give a whole new perspective on properties, or you can whip up a high-end virtual tour or slick post-production work. Whatever it is, own it. Show off your special skills in your marketing, and you’ll start attracting clients who are looking for that little extra something.
Wrapping Things Up
Real estate professionals are looking for reliable, skilled photographers who can deliver quality on time, and once you start delivering on that, opportunities will follow. By now, you should have a clearer idea of how to make a portfolio pop, market yourself in a way that attracts clients, and find your place in this booming industry. Just keep practicing, stay on your grind, and soon enough you’ll be shooting for top agents!
Interested in working with HomeJab as a real estate photographer? Head over to our website to see how we connect talented photographers with agents who need high-quality HDR photos, videography, drone shots, and more.
