A Day in the Life of a Real Estate Photographer

Hey there! Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a real estate photographer? Well, let me take you through a typical day in my life. It’s a job that’s both exciting and demanding, filled with beautiful homes, tight schedules, and a fair bit of creativity. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let's get started!

Morning Routine

5:30 AM: Rise and Shine!

My alarm goes off early because the best light waits for no one. After a quick stretch and a glance at my phone to check the weather and my schedule, I'm up. The morning light is crucial for capturing stunning exterior shots, so I aim to be at my first location as early as possible.

6:00 AM: Gear Up

Next, it’s time to prepare my equipment. My camera bag is my trusty sidekick, filled with my DSLR camera, various lenses, a sturdy tripod, and some backup batteries. Each lens serves a different purpose, from wide-angle lenses that capture the entirety of a spacious living room to macro lenses that highlight intricate details in the decor.

I also make sure my drone is charged and ready. Aerial shots add a dramatic perspective that clients love. A quick double-check ensures I have memory cards, cleaning cloths, and, of course, my coffee thermos.

7:00 AM: Planning the Day

With everything packed, I sit down with my tablet to review the day’s schedule. Each shoot is carefully planned out, considering travel time and the best lighting for each property. I usually have 3 to 5 shoots in a day, depending on the size and location of each property. It’s a busy schedule, but that’s part of the fun!

First Property Shoot of the Day

8:00 AM: Arriving at the Property

I arrive at my first location just as the sun begins to cast its golden glow. Today’s first property is a charming suburban house. The real estate agent meets me at the door, and we quickly go over the details. They want to highlight the spacious backyard and the recently renovated kitchen.

8:15 AM: Setting Up and Staging

Before I start shooting, I take a walk through the property. This helps me get a feel for the space and decide on the best angles. Sometimes, I need to move a few items around – fluff some pillows, adjust the curtains, or reposition a chair – but often, the staging is already perfectly done by my team at PixelShouters. Their keen eye for detail ensures that every room looks its best, making my job a whole lot easier.

8:30 AM: Capturing the Shots

With everything in place, it’s time to start shooting. I begin with exterior shots, making sure to capture the house from different angles. I use a wide-angle lens to get the whole property in one frame, making the house look inviting and spacious.

Moving inside, I focus on each room individually. The key is to find the right angles that showcase the room’s best features. Natural light is my best friend, so I open curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. I take multiple shots of each room, including close-ups of unique features like a beautiful fireplace or intricate tile work in the bathroom.

9:30 AM: Aerial Shots

For properties with large yards or unique layouts, I use my drone to capture aerial shots. These provide a great perspective on the property’s size and surroundings. After a quick setup and ensuring it's a no-fly zone, I send the drone up. The view from above is always breathtaking and adds a wow factor to the listing.

Midday Activities

10:00 AM: Reviewing and Backing Up Photos

After wrapping up the first shoot, I sit in my car for a few minutes to review the photos on my laptop. This step is crucial to ensure I’ve captured everything the client needs. I also back up the photos immediately to avoid any mishaps. Losing photos is every photographer’s nightmare!

10:30 AM: Traveling to the Next Location

On to the next property! Traveling between shoots gives me a chance to relax a bit, listen to some music or a podcast, and grab a quick snack. It’s important to stay fueled and hydrated throughout the day, so I always have a stash of healthy snacks and a water bottle with me.

11:30 AM: Quick Lunch Break

By midday, I find a spot to have a quick lunch. Sometimes it's a cozy café, other times it’s just a sandwich in the car. This short break is a great time to catch up on emails and messages from clients or my editing team back at PixelShouters. Staying connected ensures that any urgent requests are addressed promptly.

Afternoon and Evening Shoots

12:30 PM: Second Property Shoot

The next property is a modern downtown apartment. High-rise buildings present unique challenges with lighting and space constraints, but they also offer stunning city views. I start with the living area, making sure to capture the skyline through the windows.

1:00 PM: Dealing with Lighting Challenges

One of the biggest challenges in real estate photography is dealing with varying lighting conditions. For this shoot, the bright midday sun is streaming through the windows, creating harsh shadows. To counter this, I use a combination of natural light and external flashes to balance the exposure and highlight the apartment’s features.

2:00 PM: Third Property Shoot

The final shoot of the day is a beautiful country estate. The expansive grounds and luxurious interiors need to be showcased perfectly. As I drive up the long driveway, I can already see the potential for some incredible shots.

2:30 PM: Golden Hour

One of the highlights of shooting in the late afternoon is the golden hour. This magical time just before sunset bathes everything in a warm, golden light, making the property look even more inviting. I take advantage of this light to capture stunning exterior shots and even some candid moments of the family’s pets playing in the yard.

Post-Processing

4:00 PM: Uploading Photos to Editing Software

After a full day of shooting, it’s time to head back to my home office. The first thing I do is upload all the photos to my computer and then to the editing software. This step is crucial to ensure all images are backed up and ready for post-processing.

4:30 PM: Basic Editing and Enhancements

While I handle some basic editing – adjusting brightness, contrast, and sharpness – the bulk of the detailed work is handled by my amazing team at PixelShouters. They are experts in enhancing the photos, correcting colors, removing any unwanted objects, and making sure each image looks perfect.

5:30 PM: Sending Photos to PixelShouters

I upload the edited photos to PixelShouters with detailed notes on any specific requirements from the client. The team works their magic, transforming the images into stunning visuals that will attract potential buyers.

Client Interactions and Administrative Tasks

6:00 PM: Communicating with Clients

With the photos sent off, I take some time to catch up with clients. This involves reviewing feedback from recent shoots, discussing upcoming projects, and making sure all their needs are met. Building strong relationships with clients is key to a successful business.

6:30 PM: Scheduling Future Shoots

I also spend some time scheduling future shoots. This involves coordinating with real estate agents, homeowners, and sometimes even staging companies. A well-planned schedule ensures that I can deliver high-quality photos on time.

7:00 PM: Managing Business Aspects

Running my own business means handling various administrative tasks as well. From invoicing clients to managing my website and social media accounts, there’s always something to do. These tasks are crucial for maintaining a professional and successful business.

Wrapping Up the Day

8:00 PM: Reviewing the Day’s Work

As the day winds down, I like to review the work I’ve done. It’s satisfying to see the beautiful images I’ve captured and know that they will help my clients sell their properties. I also make notes on what went well and what could be improved for future shoots.

8:30 PM: Preparing for the Next Day

I end the day by preparing for tomorrow. This involves charging all my equipment, cleaning my camera lenses, and packing my gear. Being organized and ready ensures that I can start the next day smoothly.

9:00 PM: Reflecting on the Highlights and Challenges

Finally, I take a moment to reflect on the highlights and challenges of the day. Each shoot presents its own unique set of challenges, but that’s what makes this job so rewarding. Whether it’s capturing the perfect shot during golden hour or overcoming lighting issues in a small apartment, each experience helps me grow as a photographer.

Conclusion

And that’s a day in the life of a real estate photographer! It’s a job that requires a lot of creativity, technical skill, and a good dose of patience. But at the end of the day, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the beautiful images I’ve created and know that they are helping my clients achieve their goals.

Working Exclusively with PixelShouters

I want to give a special shout-out to my team at PixelShouters. Their expertise in staging and editing makes my job so much easier and ensures that every photo we deliver is of the highest quality. I work exclusively with PixelShouters because they share my commitment to excellence and creativity.

While each day can be quite different, filled with its own set of challenges and surprises, the routine I’ve shared with you captures the essence of a typical day in my life. Every property has its unique charm, and every shoot provides a new opportunity to capture that perfect shot. Thanks for letting me share my day with you – I hope you found it as exciting as I do!