Contract for Real Estate Photography

[ladyexplorer]

Hiya~

I've searched through the forums here and other places online, trying to find a template or an example of a contract to do real estate photography but have been unable to find anything. In fact, the great majority of the threads on real estate shooting here seem to focus on how little money there is to be had in the business and how "cheap" most real estate agents are. However! I'm not looking to make real estate shooting into a full-time gig... it's just a way to make some money on the side.

A real estate office in town recently approached me to do shots of homes that are newly listed as well as recently sold. I believe I'll charge on a house-by-house basis and I want to make sure that the details (as well as expectations) of this are pinned down before I start doing the work, and think that a well-written contract is the best way to go.

Does anyone have a template or a sample contract specific to real estate photography that you would be willing to share?

Thanks in advance!

[chtgrubbs]

I have never seen or heard of one. I would just make a simple estimate-agreement form stating how many photos per house you will take and how much it will cost. If you get into a complicated usage fee agreement they will probably just say " no thanks ".

[ladyexplorer]

Thanks for the response and the idea, chtgrubbs.

[MJPhotos24]

My dad owns a real estate business but does all the photos himself, the two biggest things you'll run into is A) mileage driving to/from houses B) time! Houses obviously are spread all over the place, so you may want to do "X-amount" for each house as a base pay and then maybe mileage/time added on. Could even maybe make a chart up for each house distance wise...for example..

1-20 miles = "X-amount"
20-40 miles = "X-amount"
40-60 miles = "X-amount"
60 + miles = "X-amount"

Obviously could use any distance you wanted, but just an idea. Also, of course each house gets the same package deal of say 10 photos or something. If it's two houses in one shoot, add up the mileage or if they're close just keep it all under one...can work it any way :)

[ladyexplorer]

Thanks, MJ. It's a good reminder to build in the time spent and mileage costs into my quote for the agency (I'll work post-processing in there, too). I appreciate the response and insights. Props to your website, BTW. It is clean and easy to navigate.

[MJPhotos24]

Thanks, MJ. It's a good reminder to build in the time spent and mileage costs into my quote for the agency (I'll work post-processing in there, too). I appreciate the response and insights. Props to your website, BTW. It is clean and easy to navigate.

Thanks, tried to make it nice and easy to navigate. Something I notice with a lot of photogs/artists websites is they try to match it to there styles instead of the possible clients (in which we have to remember not all have high speed and access to big flash sites). Luckily my history in marketing comes through in most of what I do (or I try to at least). :)

[ddphotography]

Hiya~

I've searched through the forums here and other places online, trying to find a template or an example of a contract to do real estate photography but have been unable to find anything. In fact, the great majority of the threads on real estate shooting here seem to focus on how little money there is to be had in the business and how "cheap" most real estate agents are. However! I'm not looking to make real estate shooting into a full-time gig... it's just a way to make some money on the side.

A real estate office in town recently approached me to do shots of homes that are newly listed as well as recently sold. I believe I'll charge on a house-by-house basis and I want to make sure that the details (as well as expectations) of this are pinned down before I start doing the work, and think that a well-written contract is the best way to go.

Does anyone have a template or a sample contract specific to real estate photography that you would be willing to share?

Thanks in advance!



Hey Bree, have you had any luck with a contract? I am also looking for one and need some help. my website is www.ddphotog.com (http://www.ddphotog.com) if you want to take a look.

Thanks!

[ladyexplorer]

Hey Bree, have you had any luck with a contract? I am also looking for one and need some help. my website is www.ddphotog.com (http://www.ddphotog.com) if you want to take a look.

Thanks!


Hi ddphotography~

You know, I never had any luck finding a sample contract or hearing from anyone who had one, so I made myself block off some time to focus and wrote my own proposal for the real estate agency that was inquiring. I incorporated mileage, time, post-processing, number of images, and usage rights into my proposal and based it all on elements that I am familiar with in the local real estate market (as well as specifics for the particular agency). I felt like the proposal was nice, but in the end they decided they didn't want to spend the money and will keep on with the P&S snapshots their agents are taking. :confused: It wasn't a wise choice IMO, but perhaps I am the only person in town who thinks amateurish snapshots look bad in real estate listings. :p

Anyway, you will be the best person to determine what a reasonable contract/proposal for real estate pictures would be for your area. Scope out what other real estate photogs are offering and charging, and meld that with your talent level to determine appropriate pricing. Make sure to include all the elements so that you aren't losing money in travel, time or post-processing hours. And finally, be very specific about what you will and won't do or provide. Real estate people are used to working odd and long hours sometimes and they may expect you to keep the same type of schedule, or to provide them with hundreds of images to choose from. Just a few thoughts... use what you can and leave the rest. :)

Best of luck to you....

[ddphotography]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful :o)

[roundy]

Try over at www.photographyforrealestate.net (http://www.photographyforrealestate.net)

Don

[scorpio_e]

I really do not see the demand for this BUT good luck. Most realestate agencies have Real Estate agents who take thier own crappy pictures of houses

[dmwierz]

I really do not see the demand for this BUT good luck. Most realestate agencies have Real Estate agents who take thier own crappy pictures of houses

You answered you own question. The demand is created by the agents who take their own crappy pictures. If they all took great pictures, then there would be no demand.

I know quite a few folks doing this full time, and even in this down RE market, they're making 6 figures easily, only working 20-30 hours per week. The trick seems to be focusing in on the segment of the market that will pay a premium for pro-level images (and uses pro-level point of sale materials like brochures and online galleries), working with agencies and agents who understand the value of promotion and how it can differentiate them from all the other folks who "take thier own crappy pictures of houses".

When the market is down like this, smart RE agents understand they need an "edge" to help them sell, and that the Web is the first place most people go when they start their house hunting. These smart agents will gladly let a pro shoot their houses for a reasonable fee.

The same way "crappy" curb appeal can turn someone away from entering your open house, bad online photos of a house for sale make most people say "next" . The photos online ARE today's curb appeal.