Should You Charge More For Photos Of Neighborhood Amenities?
Photographing neighborhood amenities like parks, community pools, and local markets can add value to a real estate listing, offering potential buyers a glimpse into the lifestyle they can expect. But should we as real estate photographers charge more for these additional images?
In this article I’ll discuss whether or not we should charge more for photos of neighborhood amenities and offer situations where it both makes sense to charge more and makes sense to include them for free.
Table of Contents
It Can Depend On Your Pricing Model
Deciding if you’re going to charge more for photos of neighborhood amenities will depend on your current pricing model.
Per Photo Pricing
If you charge on a per-photo basis, including neighborhood amenities will naturally increase the total cost for your client. This is straightforward – more photos equal a higher price.
The key here is to ensure that your client understands the value these additional images bring to the listing and why they are being charged for them.
Flat Rate Pricing
For those who charge a flat rate for a set number of photos, a package deal, or by the squarefoot, the inclusion of neighborhood amenity photos might require rethinking your pricing structure.
In this case, you need to evaluate whether the time and effort spent on capturing these additional images justify an increase in your standard rate.
Relicensing The Same Photos Of Neighborhoods
One practical approach to consider is the frequency with which you shoot in the same neighborhood. If there is a dense downtown area that you photograph in all the time, it can make sense to build a portfolio of neighborhood amenities.
Creating a Stock of Neighborhood Images
If you find yourself photographing properties in the same neighborhood regularly, it could be beneficial to create a stock of high quality neighborhood amenity images. Capture these photos on a particularly beautiful day, ensuring they showcase the neighborhood in the best light.
Licensing Your Stock Images
Once you have a collection of neighborhood amenity photos, you can charge a small licensing fee to clients for using these images. This approach saves time and resources in the long run, as you won’t need to shoot new amenity photos for each property.
It also provides clients with access to professional, attractive neighborhood images that enhance their listings.
Proximity of Amenities to the Property
The location of the neighborhood amenities in relation to the property is a significant factor in deciding whether to charge extra.
Amenities Close to the Property
If the amenities are next door or very close to the property you are photographing, charging extra may not make sense. In such cases, capturing these amenities likely doesn’t involve a significant departure from your shooting route or extra time.
Amenities at a Different Location
Conversely, if the neighborhood amenities require traveling to a different location, this incurs additional time and possibly extra expenses. In such scenarios, it’s reasonable to charge more.
This could include situations where the amenities are part of a larger community, and capturing them requires a separate shoot, away from the property.
More Things To Consider
There are a few more aspects to consider when deciding to charge extra for neighborhood amenity photos.
Quality and Effort
Consider the quality and effort required to capture these amenities. If you’re providing high-quality, well-composed images that require significant time to shoot and edit, it’s fair to charge for these services.
Volume of Work
If the inclusion of neighborhood amenities substantially increases your workload, it’s justifiable to adjust your prices accordingly. This is particularly relevant for large communities with multiple amenities that require extensive coverage.
Custom Requests
Sometimes, a client might request specific shots of neighborhood amenities that require special scheduling or additional equipment (like drones for aerial shots). These custom requests can justify an additional charge.
Additional Resources
If you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of helpful articles and tips that will guide you in the right direction as you begin your real estate photography journey.
You can check out our Gear section as well to see reviews and recommendations on the latest real estate photography gear.
If you’re more interested in other resources that can help your real estate photography business, check out our Business Resources page.
