Should you hire a professional?

You can probably guess our answer to this one.

Whenever possible, yes. You should definitely use a pro to take your real estate photos.

Because in the words of famous photographer Ansel Adams, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”

To put it in less poetic terms, there’s a whole heck of a lot that goes on behind the scenes to create a truly eye-catching photo. Photography is an entire skill in and of itself. And we’re guessing you’d rather stick to real estate.

But if you’re still undecided, let’s take a minute to weigh your options.

Pros of hiring a professional photographer

1. Your properties will sell faster – Professionally taken photos have been proven to sell homes at least 32% faster. Just think about what that could mean for your bottom line.
2. They know how to make every room look awesome – Some rooms can be small and tricky to photograph. Other rooms can be plain and lacking in depth. A professional will know how to work with any space and make the most of it. They’re trained to have a critical eye and can use lighting, angles and staging in ways you never imagined.
3. They have specialized equipment and software – Professional photographers will have the camera, lenses and lighting equipment to handle any challenges a property may bring their way. They can also enhance the photos to make them look extra awesome through expert editing

Cons of hiring a professional photographer

1. False expectations – Sometimes the photos don’t depict the reality of a home. For instance, if a certain room is small, a professional photographer may use a wide-angle lens to capture the whole room in one shot. But this may also result in the room appearing to be larger than it really is. You run the risk of disappointing potential buyers when they see the property in real life.
2. Quality photos take time – When you hire a professional photographer, you’ll need to schedule the shoot and you may also need to wait a week or two to allow time for editing. This isn’t ideal if you’re under pressure to sell the property ASAP.

Pros of taking the photos yourself

1. Fast results – Obviously, it’s much quicker to take your own photographs. There’s no major scheduling involved and no need to wait on the photographer to edit and send them back to you.
2. Cost-effective – If you take the photos yourself, you can definitely save some cash that would have otherwise been spent on a pro photography service.
3. Image ownership – Some photographers want to keep the rights to the photos. In those situations, you post the pics only for your listing, and they protect their work so that no other photographer can use the images for their benefit. If you DIY your photos, this is a non-issue.

Cons of taking the photos yourself

1. Image quality – Unless you’ve had some photography training, you won’t be able to get the same image quality that a professional would. You just won’t.
2. Takes time away from your other tasks – This is the killer. Yes, taking the photographs yourself means you’ll have the end product quicker, but it also means that you’ll have to set aside some time for the shoot and editing your photos—time that could be spent following up with your database and closing more deals.