Are you paying for professional real estate photographs?

Sondra: You are so right, just because someone makes a living at it, it does not mean he/she is a good photographer. Good photographs sell a property, I am convinced. Naturally it helps that the property is staged which, if a higher end property, should be done professionally too by someone qualified. Let's face it, "it takes a village" including a great listing agent. 

Sondra, I think what makes a professional photographer real estate or otherwise is the quality of the work. Proof is in the pudding. Knowledge of lighting, angles, composition, equipment, editing, etc. and lots of experience. You have grown tremendously yourself in this field. Being cheap as agents paying for this I do see too.

Sondra - Whether someone is a professional or not shows in the results... if someone is just cranking them out without putting down the toilet seat or taking the best angle of the front of the house, then they aren't acting pro, regardless of the equipment.

I take my own photos, and like you am not a professional, but have invested in the right equipment and work on improving my skills.  This helps in that I can take new photos as needed, say when the weather finally turns sunny, etc.  Also the cheapest isn't always the best, you tend to get what you pay for.

Good pictures are the most important thing to even get the Buyers to look at it!

We do our own pictures, since it is a rural area. Travel would be insane and with average home sales prices of $100k paying someone is out of line.

Sondra-I am too and your photos are always very good quality. I agree about agents not wanting to pay for a professional because if they did it could very well affect their bottom line in a positive way.

I'm torn with this subject. I have always taken my own photos and the sellers are usually happy with the ones I take. I want to hire a photographer but I'm afraid I won't be satisfied. I think I will still take the pictures and maybe find someone who can bring the pictures to their best using photo shop. Nice post Sondra.

This is a very good topic for continuing discussion. The photographs should speak for themselves. If the photographs do not have a professional appearance, it does not make any difference how the photographer is described.

Hi Sonda, This is a great post and you hit the nail on the head. 

Sondra, such great points, you make here. And I love your photos, having passion is a great start. Good subject matter and a "different take" on things makes it your own. Even putting a twist on the mundane can be really artistic!

I love taking all of my own MLS photos, because then, if buyers ask for more photos of say, the bathroom, the pantry and other items of interest that don't make it onto the MLS then, I can easily send them. Or simply go and TAKE the photo and send it to them--it makes us look even better in their eyes as far as being service-oriented!