Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Photography

The following are the most common about real estate photography questions we receive as well as some tips on preparing to have your home photographed.

How do I schedule an appointment for photos or video?

You can schedule an appointment with SACREP by email or with our online appointment scheduler on our website. Please try and contact us as far in advance as possible to ensure convenient appointment timing for you and your sellers.

What can I do to prepare the home for the photo appointment?

Preparation is the key to getting the best photo results of your home! We have numerous resources to help you and your sellers prepare their home for the photography appointment.

How long will the real estate photography appointment take?

Typical photo shoots take between 1-2 hours. However, it can take several hours to photograph a home depending on the conditions and services requested. SACREP photographers use a series of remote flashes to ensure the entire home is displayed in the best light possible, and some homes present more challenges than others. It usually takes around 1 hour per 1,000 sq. ft. to capture the interior and exterior of a home.

When/How will I receive my photos?

Your photos will be delivered digitally through Google Drive first thing in the morning following your photo appointment. Same day delivery is also available for an additional fee. Photos will be sized for best display on Metrolist and for high quality printing.

What is the best time of day for real estate photography?

To ensure sun exposure on the front of the home, West facing homes are better in the early afternoon & East facing homes are better in the morning. The sun usually rises behind homes that face North, so it is best to shoot them early in the morning before the sun gets high in the sky.

How many photos of the home will I receive?

The number of photos you will receive depends on the size and condition of the home. The average home produces between 20-30 photos.

Do you offer aerial or drone real estate photography?

Yes, but please get up to date on the latest FAA regulations and your company’s policy on utilizing aerial photography in your marketing.

Can you photograph the home at sunset?

Twilight exterior photos are available, but we believe that the best interior photos are produced in morning or early afternoon daylight.

Why are the lights turned off in my photos?

Depending on a number of factors, sometimes it is best for real estate photography results to have the lights in the home turned off. SACREP photographers use remote flashes and artificial light to ensure every photo is bright and the colors are true, so that we don’t have to rely on the home’s lighting for the photos. Certain types of light bulbs just do not look good in photos and overcast or rainy weather conditions can force our photographers to adapt and make decisions on a case-by-case b...

Does someone need to be home for the real estate photography appointment?

We can use a contractors lockbox to access the home for photos as long as the home owner approves. We will be sure to lock all doors and windows, turn off the lights and close the blinds when we are finished.

Is it ok for the sellers to be home while the photos are taken?

We understand that some sellers will want to be home while the photos are being taken, but we are able to produce much better results when distractions are limited at the home. We ask that you please complete all staging and cleaning prior to the appointment. It is best to keep all children and pets out of the way during the appointment. MetroList prohibits showing any people or pets in photos.

Can you use the MLS lockbox to access the home?

Unfortunately we do not have access to the standard blue MLS lockbox, but if there is a contractors lockbox on the property we can use it for access with the home owner’s permission.

What type of equipment do you use?

All SACREP photographers use top of the line digital cameras. We use professional tripods to ensure all angles are perfectly aligned and multiple remote flashes to show every home in the best light possible.

What if I have special instructions for the photographer?

You have an opportunity to enter special instructions on our website when you schedule an appointment or you can send an email to admin@sacrep.com and we will be sure to forward them along to your photographer.

How far will you travel?

We may be able to travel anywhere in the world to photograph your property, however a time/mileage fee is applied to homes that are more than 25 miles from Downtown Sacramento.

How much does real estate photography cost?

The cost of real estate photography is $0.15 per square foot of the home. The minimum fee is $180. Video Tours: $399 Aerial Photos: $200

How do I pay?

We will send an invoice via email once you have received your photos. You can send payment through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle.

Can you upload the photos to MLS for me?

We can email the MLS sized photos to your office assistant for upload if you provide us with their email address. Unfortunately we are not permitted to access your Metrolist account directly.

What if I need to cancel/reschedule the appointment?

If you need to cancel the appointment for any reason, please email admin@sacrep.com with as much notice as possible. There will be a cancellation fee charged if the appointment is canceled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the appointment time.

What if it rains on the day of the photography appointment?

We are still able to take photos of the home and produce very good results in light rain conditions. Interior photos are largely unaffected by poor weather, but exteriors will obviously turn out a little darker than usual. We ask that you please monitor weather forecasts and notify us as soon as possible if you would like to reschedule due to rain.

Do you take photos inside of closets?

We do not normally photograph the inside of closets. We prefer not to photograph your sellers personal items, and even the most organized closets normally don’t make for great photos. Please do let us know if you would like a closet photographed.

Is it ok if the home is completely empty?

Yes! We can definitely produce great photos of a home that is completely empty.

Why did I receive an email that my appointment was canceled?

Sometimes our automated scheduling program malfunctions. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact us at admin@sacrep.com asap. Your appointment may have also been canceled if we have not received payment information, if we are unable to get ahold of you to confirm details, etc. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, in accordance with the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Why don’t you answer your phone?

The best method of communication for SACREP is always email. We have found that it is most efficient and mistake free to keep all of our client correspondence organized in our email inbox.

Who owns the photo/video copyright?

SACREP and/or the photographer maintain copyright ownership of all materials. Our clients are free to use the photos/video for any personal marketing purposes. Photos/video may not be used by any other party without SACREP consent.

My stager has recommended another real estate photographer already, what should I do?

Many stagers partner with an up and coming local photographer so that they can offer a complete marketing package. They often choose these photographers based on their cheap prices to keep the cost down for themselves. It is in your and your seller’s best interest to decline the use of your stager’s photographer and hire SACREP to ensure only the best quality marketing for your listing.

My “friend/family member” has a nice camera and offered to shoot my home for free… Why should I still pay for photos?

Real estate photography is a very specialized field, requiring the proper lighting equipment and most importantly experience to know how to display each home at its best. While it is a nice gesture of your friend, it is in your best interest to have the highest quality photography of the home to ensure the most activity from potential buyers.