How Much Money Can You Make With Real Estate Photography?

June 3, 2025
5 min read
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Introduction

If you've ever wondered whether real estate photography is a side gig worth pursuing—or even a potential full-time business—the answer is a resounding yes. The demand is high, the entry costs are relatively low, and the income potential is solid. But exactly how much money can you make with real estate photography?

In this guide, we'll break down how real estate photographers make money, what factors affect your earnings, and how you can grow from part-time income to full-time success.

The Short Answer: $150 to $500 Per Shoot

Let’s get right to it. A typical real estate photography shoot ranges from $150 to $500, depending on your market, services, and experience. If you shoot multiple properties per week and add upsells like video or drone footage, that income can scale quickly.

Here’s a sample breakdown:

A single shoot can easily yield $300–$600+ when you package services or upsell effectively.

Realistic Monthly Income Potential

The great thing about real estate photography is that your income scales with volume and value-added services.

Let’s break it down by activity level:

Beginner Side Hustle (1–2 shoots/week)

  • $175 x 2 shoots/week = $350
  • Add $100/week in upsells
    = ~$1,800/month

Part-Time Pro (3–5 shoots/week)

  • $225 x 4 shoots/week = $900
  • Add $300/week in video/drone/floor plans
    = ~$4,800/month

Full-Time Real Estate Photographer (5–10 shoots/week)

  • $300 x 8 shoots/week = $2,400
  • Add $600/week in upgrades
    = ~$10,000+/month

These are conservative estimates. Top-tier photographers in major markets (NYC, LA, Miami, Dallas) can charge $500+ just for photo sets.

What Factors Impact Your Earning Potential?

Your income will depend on several key variables:

1. Location & Market Rates

  • Big cities and luxury markets pay more.
  • Rural areas often have less competition but may require travel fees.

2. Experience & Portfolio

  • Seasoned shooters command higher rates.
  • A strong portfolio leads to better referrals and easier upsells.

3. Speed & Turnaround

  • Fast delivery = higher perceived value.
  • Some clients will pay more for same-day or next-day delivery.

4. Your Offer Stack

  • The more services you offer (video, drone, floor plans, 360 tours), the more you can charge.

5. Client Type

  • Realtors = repeat clients.
  • Property managers = bulk deals.
  • Airbnb hosts = recurring seasonal clients.

Average Rates in the U.S. (By Region)

Note: These vary based on competition, home size, and economic activity.

Income Examples From Real Photographers

📍 Florida – Part-Time Photographer
“I'm shooting 3 homes a week at $225 per shoot. Most of my clients also add a $75 drone package. I make around $1,200–$1,500/month working 2 days a week.”

📍 Texas – Full-Time Pro
“I shoot 5–6 homes a week and offer photos, video, floor plans, and 360 tours. I average about $6,000–$8,000/month with minimal marketing.”

📍 California – High-End Specialist
“I work exclusively in luxury markets. One shoot with drone, video, twilight, and staging images can go for $800–$1,200+. I take fewer jobs but make more per shoot.”

How to Increase Your Income Quickly

Want to earn more with fewer clients? Here’s how to raise your average revenue per shoot:

🔹 Offer High-Value Bundles

Create 3 tiers:

  • Basic: $175 (photos only)
  • Pro: $275 (photos + drone or twilight)
  • Premium: $425 (photos + drone + video + floor plan)

🔹 Use AI to Add Services Fast

Tools like PropertyEdits.ai let you turn your photo set into:

  • Listing videos
  • Vertical reels
  • Branded promo videos

Clients LOVE this, and you can charge $50–$100 extra per shoot with just a few clicks.

🔹 Build Monthly Packages

Realtors list 2–5+ homes per month. Offer a recurring package:

“$799/month for 4 shoots + 2 videos + 1 drone session.”

It smooths your income and keeps you top of mind.

🔹 Charge Rush Fees

Turnaround in 12 hours? That’s a $50 rush fee. You’re solving an urgent problem—price it accordingly.

Hidden Opportunities to Monetize Further

  • Teach a Course or Offer Coaching – Help others break into real estate photography.
  • Stock Photos for Local Communities – Sell your images to brokerages or agencies.
  • Affiliate Income from Gear/Tools – Promote what you use to fellow photographers.

These create passive or leveraged income on top of your shoot fees.

Expenses to Factor In

While the income is strong, there are some costs to manage:

Most of these are front-loaded or manageable—and your first 3–5 paid shoots should cover your startup costs entirely.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Yes.

If you can:
✅ Shoot 2–3 times a week
✅ Deliver consistent work
✅ Upsell 1–2 services per shoot
✅ Build even a small base of realtors…

…you can build a side income of $2,000–$5,000/month, or turn it into a full-fledged career.

Real estate photography offers a rare combination of:

  • Fast-start potential
  • Scalable earnings
  • Repeat clients
  • Creative fulfillment

It’s one of the best ways to earn real money with a camera.

💡 Want to Add AI Video and Reels to Boost Your Earnings?

Use PropertyEdits.ai to transform your real estate photo sets into client-ready videos and reels—instantly.

It’s the easiest upsell you’ll ever make. And it adds $50–$100 to every shoot with zero video editing.

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