Johnadamsportrait

Greetings. I am trying to start a real estate photography business. Not sure if this should go under the practice and technique forum but I'll start here. I spoke to a successful real estate photographer in my area and was on-site at a listing he was shooting. He only had his camera and his tripod and said he shot everything dark, to avoid blowing out highlights, and corrected exposure in post. I have been practicing photographing interiors this way and, granted I have a learning curve to work through with lightroom, the images look terrible. I usually try to get things right with my camera too eliminate too much post-processing, but I don't have experience shooting interiors. I have Nathan Cool's book, "Photography for Real Estate Interiors," and, while I haven't read it yet, his workflow is a combination of flash and flash/ambient light blending in photoshop. While I have the Nikon speed light system and a lightstand I've never had much use for them, so if I am going to incorporate flash when shooting interiors I will also have a learning curve there as well. Most photographers I know are real perfectionists, including myself, but at this point I am trying to figure out a workflow that is "good enough" and get my portfolio built and website up as quickly as possible. My husband may be losing his job in the next few months. I am a busy mom and I have to be focused on bringing in income, not trying to be the best real estate photographer in the world. There will be time to work on a better technique in the future. The attached file is a work in progress. If I am going to underexpose to preserve highlight I obviously have to learn how to correct for it in post. I haven't been shooting for years and am very rusty. My question is, would it be conceivable to give realtors decent real estate interior photos without the use of flash. I know there is a demand for real estate photographers in my area but am at a point where I need to decide on my workflow before working on a portfolio. Thanks for your comments.

 

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You could start out by shooting and curating best 10 to 15 of your work which you can use in the online portfolio as most of the client are now searching online. There are multiple options like Pixpa, Squarespace and Format which can help you to build an online portfolio.

How often do you use proofs and is it possible in this day and age of digital. The other day I took some product photography shots for a client. There were only 3 products so I tried to shoot as many angles as possible, without getting redundant. The client told me she wanted the products displayed on a clear white background. Out of 80 pictures taken that day, I chose about 20 shots which I think would work. I edited them and sent a sample downsize photo to the client.

 

The reason I didn't select the other 60 shots was because they had defects(too light, too dark, blurred etc) or were carbon-copies of the ones I selected. Now the client wants to see all 80 photographs bloops and all. She wants to determine what photographs should be edited. I really don't feel too good about this. First of all, I would have to downsize each image and send via email, or create some type of link where she can view all the shots. What do you think is this a legitimate request by the client ?

You could use Pixpa, they've client gallery options and also, you can watermark your images. Hope this will help.

Hi @bandannaman I think a lot depends a bit on:

- how original/creative you want you want/need your website to be from day 1

- whether you're prepared to pay someone develop and maintain your website

 

Starting out, a website builder that you can use yourself is probably the best way to go.

 

If you google "photography website builder" you'll find a number of recent reviews, for example at:

- webcreate

- creating a website today

- website builder expert

- superb website builders

 

I've never used Wix but it seems to top the list in each of these reviews. Squarespace comes in the 2nd or 3rd place.

 

I don't have any experience in building websites with photos except in Wordpress. The Wordpress.com version is quick and easy, has free plans, includes 'hosting' but can be a bit inflexible for some things. Most website hosting sites also offer a free 'custom' Wordpress installation. This has no restrictions and enables you to take full use of the many free/paid themes and (gallery/e-commerce) plugins that are available. But the learning curve is probably longer than with other website builders.

 

The minimum facilities you'll need are:

- facilities to make well laid out text pages (intro, bio, references) that also allow you to include images where you want them

- photo galleries, each with a visual 'featured image', that allow both thumbnail browsing and step-forward/back image browsing

- a contact page that - in addition to your contact details - perhaps also includes a configurable fill-in contact form, the contents of which are automatically e-mailed to you

-'Responsive themes' through which your website is automatically 'translated' to different devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, large-screen desktops, etc. A theme is essentially a layout 'template' which has varying degrees of customization options. Most themes these days are 'fully responsive' but not all. So before using theme, check that it is 'fully responsive' and what your website would look like on a phone or tablet.

 

Bottom line: I would first try out Wix (demo) and if it looks as if you can do everything you want to, go for it. Above all, buy a custom URL! If - after a couple of years - you decide to move to another platform, you can take your custom URL with you.

 

Hope this helps, Mike

Thanks for the list Mike! Pixpa seems to be a perfect platform for my photography website.

18-55 is and will always be the best lens for beginners. You're kit lens is much more capable of taking pictures than you think it is. If you're looking at landscapes, the 18mm will work in 90% of the locations.

Reconsider your decision of buying a wide angle lens and instead buy a steady tripod, ND filter , a shutter remote and learn the ins and outs of photography. Consider taking online free tutorials and courses that'll help you get that vision. You may even find free courses on Landscape photography. Last, go out and practice a lot. Once you start feeling your camera or lens lack something, then plan on updating your gear

Good luck!