I take my own and like what I produce. I am extremely picky and know how I want my homes presented. I use good quality cameras, equipment and photo editing.

I typically do them myself. I've been taking pictures for years and have about $7,000 worth of equipment. I realize that that alone does not make one a good photographer but I do think I'm pretty good. I once hired a guy for $200 and his pictures were no better than mine.

But... it also depnds on the property.

Hi Paul, 

I take my own. I'm willing to hire a pro if the situation suggests, but like others, I'm picky, will take as many as it takes to get it right and I'm more than willing to learn how to do it better. 

I do them myself, since I do have a lot of experience in photography, film production and editing. 

Praful uses a professional photographer.

Hi everyone!

Our company does a TON of real estate marketing for agents all over the country, and hence...we see a lot of property photos. Some are done by professional photographers...and some are from agents providing "do-it-yourself" photography. Many of the agents we work with have really developed a skill when it comes to photographing their listings. They also have the right equipment, which really must include an ULTRA wide angle lens (not just the standard kit lens that comes with the camera.) They're a little expensive, but you'll find that your photos will be ten times better!

We also get a lot of photos from "professional" photographers that are very substandard, sometimes to the point that it's hard to imagine they even charged someone! Dark, crooked....even blurry. It's very frustrating to try and put together a beautiful 11x17 listing brochure when those are the only photos we have to work with!! Aaaaargh!!! However, MOST professional photography is superior to "normal" agent photography that we get (just being honest here).

If you have a good photographer, and he/she is reasonably priced...I'd HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of having the best photos you can for marketing that home (online, in print, etc.) However, if you're a competent potographer yourself, go right ahead and take them yourselves.

Here's the only thing I would NEVER recommend.

Do not sacrifice the quality or professionalism of your marketing depending on the price of the home. Oh, I know...it's tempting to say a $300,000 home doesn't necessarily require the same type of marketing as, let's say, an $899,000 listing. But it's not just a way of showing how the PROPERTY looks. More importantly, it's a way of showing every other seller in the neighborhood the kind of agent YOU are!!

I have customers who do the exact same kind of marketing no matter what price point the home is in. The higher-end homeowners in neighborhoods they market to know they'll get the best marketing....and the lower-end homeowners in "lesser" neighborhoods ALSO know they're going to get great marketing!

Don't fool yourself into believing that homeowners from all demographics aren't noticing the type of agent you are. If you "lower the bar" on your lesser listings, be prepared to have business taken away from you by another agent, possibly one who spends a measley $150 on professional photography, and establishes his/her self as the best agent to list with in that neighborhood!!

I put together some comparisons below.


Fun topic!

Dave

Paul - I take my own photographs with my Nikon D5000 and wide angle lens for the majority of my listings.  If a particular property is beyond my skill level I will hire a pro for that property.

I take my own photos with my great Nikon camera. I always tell my clients, though, that if they are unsatisfied, I will hire a professional.

Mine are professional, but whether we hire an outside professional depends on the property and the seller.

I take my own.

I think, it can be beneficial for any Realtor to pick up some photography educations/skills. Photography can be a lot of fun and many social networks prove that there is no better way to express something but through the eye of the camera. 

Paul, we take them and are very happy with the outcome from our new camera!

I'm glad to read Cindy Davis' comment that her photographer charges her $100-$150 per house.  I need to quote this amount to clients when I spend hours photographing their homes for listing and then additional hours editing and enhancing those photos for upload.

My son does pretty good photos but we have used a pro lately. Pictures are better and it is worth the cost. Bad pics are hurt the seller.

I take my own photos, though on the high end ones I pay to have it done 

I take my own photos.  Since I have a particular niche, with exerience in it, I know what my target market is looking for in a property - and it is not just what the house looks like. 

Mine are always, but always done professionally. It's a great listing tool to say you do so and there's no way I can make any kind of house look as good as a professional can.

Depends on the price point.  If its a high priced listing, then I will hire it done, others I do it my self with a Iphone.

Paul Henderson professionals for sure. It helps the homes sell quicker (and I know this statement may raise some eyebrows!)

I took my own for years.  Now the cost is reasonable in our area so I tend to use a pro on most residential property .

I'm glad to see so many comments from agents who both take their own photos and who feel they are up to the task.  

I've seen a lot of real estate photography taken by "professionals" that were mediocre. 

Depending n the price of the property.  High ends are professionally done.  Everything else is done with a very good HD camera.

I switched over to a professional about two years ago.

My for sale listings are professionally photographed.  I generally take photos for my leases listings.  On occasion, sellers or landlords will provide me with photos they'd like to use which is sometimes good and sometimes not so good.

It's worth it to hire a pro, but it has to be the right pro.  It doesn't mean the most expensive, nor the cheapest.  Ask colleagues whose listing photos represent the property well who they use.

I have a photographer I am very happy with an d use for all my listings. I typically pay between $100-$150 per house, Given that the photos are consistently good, it's been worth it.