Best Real Estate Photography Companies in 2024
A home’s photography is perhaps the second most important element to getting a home sold (after price).
A real estate listing’s pictures on Zillow are a buyer’s first impression of a home. Buyers look at an average of 10 homes before deciding on one. High-quality photography can be the difference between your listing making the list versus not.
There is no excuse to screw it up. There are too many companies and tools standing at the ready to make sure your listings stand out online.
Like the rest of the industry, technology is changing photography and videography. Adding these tools to your business is becoming cheaper. Drone videos and 3D tours have actually gotten cheaper over the last few years as they become more abundant.
Below are some of the best real estate photography companies to either help you improve your own photography, or even just do it all for you.
The Contenders
BEST MARKET COVERAGE
HomeJab
$169+ per listing. HomeJab is a growing real estate photography and video company that is in most major US markets. They offer a standard listing photo shoot, video, 360 walkthroughs, 3D tours, virtual staging, and aerial photography and video, all with a 24-hour turnaround. Consider HomeJab if you are ready to outsource your photography needs to the pros.
BEST VIRTUAL STAGING
BoxBrownie
$1.60 per image. BoxBrownie doesn’t take your photos for you but instead offers a suite of services allowing you to enhance your real estate photos. They provide just about every other photography service you could want that doesn’t include anything on site, including adding virtual staging to rooms or switching a sky from day to dusk. Consider BoxBrownie if you enjoy taking your own photos but want help getting them ready for your listing.
OTHERS
Exposio
$0.99 per image. Exposio is a camera app that takes multiple shots at different exposures and combines them into a great HDR picture. They also offer single property listing site. For photographer professionals, they have “Trigger” which helps efficiently take bracketed pictures with your DSLR. Consider Exposio if you are taking photos with your phone and not wanting to spend time in post-production.
HomeVisit
$119+. HomeVisit is a photography company owned by CoreLogic, the Matrix MLS provider. They have a shopping center that provides aerial photography, image editing, and brochures.
HouseLens
$110+ per listing. HouseLens bills itself as a “visual marketing service” for real estate, and provides photography, videography, single property websites, and even a DIY app for taking real estate shots with your phone. Consider HouseLens if you want good prices and flexible photo/video packages.
Matterport
$130+. Matterport is the world leader in 3D imagery and floorplans, selling many models of 3D cameras to real estate professionals. They also offer a photography service if you want to hire them to photograph your listings directly with their technology.
Virtuance
$119+ per listing. Virtuance is a full-service real estate photography and videography service. In addition to the common HDR photography, video tour, aerial video, and single property sites, Virtuance has add-ons like a social media package, brochures, and even image watermarking. Consider Virtuance if you want to completely outsource your photography and videography.
Not Included Here
Other real estate virtual photography companies include:
- PhotoUp
- PlanOmatic
- Styldod
- TruPlace
- VHT Studios
- VS24
I also haven’t included 3D and 360 cameras for creating listing walkthroughs, a virtual tour, or floorplans like:
- Matterport
- Planitar (iGuide)
- Immoviewer
- Cupix
There are also some locally based companies that specialize in real estate but are not nationwide like Twist Tours in Austin, TX.
There are other places to find photographers like Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork.
Are Aerial Videos, 3D Tours, and 360 Videos Worth It?
3D tours and aerial photography have gotten cheaper recently, making them a more realistic option even for the most modest of listings.
A significant percentage of buyers purchase homes sight unseen, especially in some communities like military buyers PCSing from overseas. 3D tours and 360 videos can make buyers more comfortable with making offers and the home you are offering.
Meanwhile, aerial might be optional in many circumstances, but on bigger lots or farm and ranch listings it seems almost obligatory at this point.
Lastly, these are relatively inexpensive add-ons that allow you to separate your brand. Remember, your listings aren’t only advertising your listing but advertising you.
DIY or Hire the Pros?
Considering how important listing photography is, beware of forgoing a professional photographer. There are so many elements and tools to taking a good photo, like natural light, wide angle lens, shutter speed, exposure, and more. If you are not a photography or video aficionado, don’t try to do it yourself. Hire it out.
Even if you do enjoy photography or know what you’re doing, are you a Realtor or a photographer? Focus on your core competencies and building business, and let another professional handle the photos and video.
Finally, in the age of aerial, it is almost surely best to hire out your drone footage. With FAA licensing rules, there are generally too many moving parts to justify diverting your time from your core business.
If you do go solo, consider getting professional editing with someone like BoxBrownie. They have a phone app for iPhones that allow you to send photos directly to their editors and getting them professionally touched up.
For Real Estate Photographers
There are numerous advantages to starting a real estate photography business. No Bridezillas. No wrestling babies. Just a stationary building to photograph.
However, one of the biggest differences from other photography fields is the turnaround. A 4-week turnaround for a wedding video is fine. But for real estate agents, the photos are the only thing between them and getting the home listed. It’s the last thing before a sign goes in the yard. Everybody is waiting on you, and a 24-hour turnaround is essential if you are going to get into real estate photography.
Real estate photography can be expensive. If you are wanting to provide the full suite of services for a real estate agent, you will want to invest in a 3D camera (like the Matterport), a drone, a good gimbal, and some real estate photo editing training.
To get started, check with the companies above for work, or advertise yourself on Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance sites. Or start browsing homes on Zillow and start identifying agents who perhaps could use some better photography services. Some may prefer working directly with photographers local to their area.
Conclusion
After picking the right price, professional photos are the second most important part of getting a home sold. Do it right if you want to stay in business. Put the effort in if you enjoy DIY, or just hire it out and make it simple.
Shop Photography Companies
-
Matterport$130.00 -
Virtuance$119.00 -
HouseLens$110.00 -
HomeVisit$119.00 -
HomeJab$169.00 -
Exposio$0.99 -
BoxBrownie$1.60