Some 50,000 homes 'go on the market' each year here in Southwest Florida. And while not all agents seek professional photography, a vast majority do -- for a number of good reasons. First, it's become truly affordable since the film age gave way to the digital era. Couple that with the fact that nearly all buyers now start their search online disincentivizes the temptation to make DIY phone photography the focal point of a sound marketing plan.
Dark, crooked, or otherwise amateurish photos speak loudly to the quality of service and the buyer-seller relationship that is to follow. Professional images will be bright, straight, and well-composed to convey the notion that both the seller and the agent care about delivering a pleasant and productive experience from first viewing to close.
Not unexpectedly, the Naples area has an ample supply of professionals in the specialty -- and even some who are 'testing the waters offering listing photos in addition to their portrait, school sports, or wedding business. Add to that the influx of dozens of new 'real estate photographers' switching careers or taking a first step as an entrepreneur. Many arrive in the marketplace as not merely real estate photo experts but a "Marketing Company" with an expanding list of additional products and services to offer.
What is to be made of all this? First, it's not my intent to denigrate the industry. IAt best, if I were competing with the ‘marketing companies,’ would be able to properly service less than one-half of one percent of the available business! I do, however, have a stake in furthering the high ethical and quality standards that have to date defined the architectural, design, and listing photography industry.
To that end, I present this opportunity, in the form of the Comments section or by personal consultation, to engage in discussions related to the use of professional photography in real estate transactions.
Click on any individual post header to open the relevant Comments section, where you can make statements, start a new topic, or ask questions!