According to the 2023 National Association of Realtors report, high-quality listing photos are the most helpful listing feature for homebuyers when browsing online listings. That’s why real estate photographers are so important. However, finding and choosing a professional real estate photographer is no easy task.

In this article, we’ll show you how to find and choose the right real estate photographer.

What is a real estate photographer?

A real estate photographer is a professional who specializes in capturing high-quality images of properties, both residential and commercial, to help market and sell them. They usually work closely with real estate agents, brokers, or property owners to highlight the best features of a space. In addition to photographing the interior and exterior of a property, real estate photographers may also capture architectural details, landscaping, or unique design elements. Some photographers even assist with staging the property to ensure it looks its best on camera. After the shoot, they often enhance the photos through editing and post-processing to create eye-catching visuals that attract potential buyers or clients.

Why professional real estate photography matters

Transform your real estate listings with professional photography

High-quality real estate photography not only makes a property look great, it also tells a story that connects emotionally with buyers. One of the key benefits of hiring a real estate photographer is their ability to highlight a property’s best features, create emotional connections with buyers, and showcase its full potential in a way that amateur photos simply can’t.

In fact, homes with professional photos receive 61% more views than those without photos — and 83% of buyers say photos are one of the most important factors when deciding which property to visit.

Expand your online reach

In addition to enhancing your visual appeal, professional photography can also enhance your online presence. Listings with great photos are more likely to be shared, increasing web traffic and improving search engine rankings.

Optimizing real estate photos with SEO-friendly file names, alt text and relevant keywords can help listings appear in both image and standard search results — increasing visibility and attracting a wider audience of potential buyers.

Drive engagement and interest

Part of the importance of real estate photography lies in its ability to keep buyers engaged. Listings featuring professional photos receive 118% more online views than those without — and the more engaged buyers are, the more likely they are to schedule a showing.

Build trust and show professionalism

Quality photos don’t just sell properties — they build trust. Professional photos signal to potential buyers and sellers that an agent is committed to excellence and pays attention to every detail. This creates a positive impression, increases credibility, and can lead to long-term client relationships.

Sell faster, sell more

Ultimately, professional real estate photography delivers real results. Listings with high-quality photos sell up to 32% faster and can fetch up to 47% more than listings with lower-quality photos.

Homes with more than 20 professional photos typically sell within 30 days, while listings with fewer or less-edited photos can linger on the market for 70 days or longer.

What to look for in a real estate photographer

Finding the right real estate photographer can have a huge impact on how quickly your property sells and how much it costs. But with so many photographers out there, how do you choose the right one? Here are six key things every agent should look for when hiring a real estate photographer.

Ensure professionalism in real estate photography

Not every photographer is the same. Photographers focus on a specialty, whether wedding photography, portrait photography, fashion photography, or food photography. While they may be incredibly capable in their field, real estate photography requires an entirely different range of skills.

A real estate photographer knows how to capture each room at its best, handle lighting challenges, maintain precise lines and angles, and highlight key features of the home. This is the importance of real estate photography — you need to find someone who understands how to make a property look its best.

Ask about their equipment

Although creativity and talent are required, proper equipment is also paramount. Look for photographers with professional DSLR or mirrorless cameras, wide-angle lenses, tripods, and sufficient lighting gear.

Most professional real estate photographers also offer drone coverage, 3D tours, and video. This gear captures bright, clear, and engaging photos that entice online purchasers.

Look at their portfolio

Before making a decision, take the time to look through their previous work. A good real estate photographer will have an online portfolio that showcases a variety of properties, both interior and exterior. You should evaluate:

Images that are clear, well-lit, and professionally edited.

Their style should align with your marketing vision and help bring out the full potential of every property.

Find out what their editing style is

Not every picture is post-production ready, but there are post-production steps as well.

Speak with the photographer about their editing process, equipment, and experience. Do they edit within the company or outsource? Are they okay with taking away little distractions, balancing light, and getting images looking shiny but natural?

This behind-the-scenes process ensures the final photographs are clean, light, and ready to impress buyers.

Read reviews and testimonials

Always look at customer reviews before booking a photographer. Read reviews on Google, their social media, or their company website for genuine feedback.

Positive feedback is an indicator that the photographer is professional, reliable, and provides good quality work. Remember, happy clients are usually an indication of work well executed.

Look at their prices

While budget is always a concern to bear in mind, don’t choose the photographer based solely on cost. “You get what you pay for” rings very true for real estate photography.

A superior quality of photo makes a significant impact when attracting online buyers. With 99% of house buyers starting their search online, your listing photographs need to be of the best quality.

Investing in professional photography will cost you more in the short term, but the long-term return it provides—faster sales, increased listing prices, and a better brand reputation—pays every penny back.

Some real estate photographers you may want to get familiar with

Mark Gutierrez – Epic Homes Photography

If it is all about Chicago real estate photography, Mark Gutierrez of Epic Homes Photography is definitely one to become familiar with. With years of experience in the industry, Mark has proven himself as one who produces top-notch real estate photos that are sure to impress, especially in the West Suburbs.

In addition to his professional efforts in the industry, Mark is a passionate teacher to the real estate photography community. He will not shy away from sharing his knowledge and experience, whether it’s via VHT or other photography forums. Mark’s enthusiasm, passion for the trade, and willingness to share his knowledge with others make him not just an amazing photographer, but an amazing person to talk to when it comes to real estate photography, business strategy, or even gear suggestions.

Nathan Cool – Nathan Cool Photography

When it comes to real estate photography, Nathan Cool is a true industry leader. As the founder of Nathan Cool Photography, he’s built a remarkable career not just behind the camera, but also as an educator and mentor for photographers around the world.

Nathan is most well-known for his best-sellers and a YouTube channel that has acquired over 86,000 subscribers — a testament to the value of his material. His videos cover everything from technical training to business advice, so he is a must-subscribe for anyone looking to improve their skills in real estate photography or video production.

But Nathan’s reach is so much wider than pretty pictures. He’s passionate about helping other creatives succeed, providing in-depth online courses that range from building a photography business to master shooting and editing techniques.

Ken Dono – OriginalDoBo Media

Ken Dono, or OriginalDoBo as he is known on the internet, is now a name that’s on everyone’s lips when it comes to real estate and drone photography. Having a YouTube channel with 153,000+ subscribers, Ken has built up a loyal fan base because of his easygoing nature, real advice, and offbeat sense of humor.

A retired drone pilot, videographer, and photographer, Ken not only shows you how to fly drones, but also how to profit from doing so as a successful real estate media venture. His videos are loaded with sarcasm, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth advice that actually applies in the real world (not in theory).

But Ken’s skills do not stop at drones. He shares massive amounts of practical information on how to best use equipment for real estate photography and videography, helping creators of all experience make their shoots better and extract the best out of their gear.

Jordan Horn – Monterey Real Estate Photography

Jordan Horn, the owner of Monterey Real Estate Photography, is the kind of artist any real estate photographer would love to have in their corner. His YouTube channel might not boast the biggest numbers (yet), but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer worth.

Jordan shares tutorials, shooting techniques, gear advice, and real-world business tips designed to help both beginners and experienced photographers level up their skills — and more importantly, their income. From indoor shooting tricks to smart business strategies, Jordan’s content is all about making sure you’re getting the most out of every listing.

Outside of YouTube, Jordan runs a photography business built on quality. His team uses the highest equipment, stays up to date with editing programs, and always delivers clean, professional shots that real estate agents love.

Brett Conyers – Review Prodigy

With a growing community of 13,000 subscribers on YouTube, Brett Conyers is quickly building himself into a must-subscribe creator for new photographers — especially those wanting to get into real estate photography.

Brett’s channel is filled with step-by-step tutorials varying from photography basics to expert levels. What distinguishes him from others is the fact that he teaches in an extremely friendly and down-to-earth way, which is perfect for beginners who begin behind the lens.

When it comes to real estate photography, Brett is the real deal. He breaks down critical concepts like using natural light to make interior and exterior shots pop, and how wide-angle lenses can transform tight indoor areas into airy, inviting rooms. His lessons are all about practical skill sets that instantly take your listing photos from good to great.

Conclusion

So, in the above article, we have given you detailed instructions on how to find the right real estate photographer for you. In addition, we have introduced you to some real estate photography experts. Hopefully, through the above article, you can find the best real estate photographer.