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.
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.
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:
These are conservative estimates. Top-tier photographers in major markets (NYC, LA, Miami, Dallas) can charge $500+ just for photo sets.
Your income will depend on several key variables:
Note: These vary based on competition, home size, and economic activity.
📍 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.”
Want to earn more with fewer clients? Here’s how to raise your average revenue per shoot:
Create 3 tiers:
Tools like PropertyEdits.ai let you turn your photo set into:
Clients LOVE this, and you can charge $50–$100 extra per shoot with just a few clicks.
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.
Turnaround in 12 hours? That’s a $50 rush fee. You’re solving an urgent problem—price it accordingly.
These create passive or leveraged income on top of your shoot fees.
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.
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:
It’s one of the best ways to earn real money with a camera.
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.
Compact, ready to go anywhere
Interchangeable lens that’s upgradeable
Dual 1-inch sensors for improved clarity and low light performance
Dynamic range and 6K 360° capture
360° photo resolution at 21MP
8K 360° video recording for ultra-detailed visuals.
4K single-lens mode for traditional wide-angle shots.
Invisible selfie stick effect for drone-like perspectives.
2.5-inch touchscreen with Gorilla Glass protection.
Waterproof up to 33ft for underwater shooting.
360° photo resolution in 23MP
Slim design at 24 mm thick
Built-in image stabilization for smooth video capture.
Internal 19GB storage for photo and video storage.
Wireless connectivity for remote control and sharing.
60MP 360° still images for high-resolution photography.
5.7K 360° video recording at 30fps.
2.25-inch touchscreen for intuitive control.
USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer.
MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
Try it free. No credit card required. Instant set-up.