How Much to Charge for Real Estate Photography
Real estate photography typically runs $150–$250 for a home under 2,000 sq ft, $250–$400 for 2,000–3,500 sq ft, and $400–$700+ above that. Drone stills add $100–$200, video tours $200–$500, and twilight shoots $100–$150. This is volume work — three shoots a day at $200 beats one at $500, so package pricing and repeat agent relationships matter more than headline rates.
Base pricing by size
| Home size | Typical photo package |
|---|---|
| Under 2,000 sq ft | $150–$250 |
| 2,000–3,500 sq ft | $250–$400 |
| 3,500+ sq ft | $400–$700+ |
Add-ons
- Drone stills — $100–$200.
- Video walkthrough — $200–$500.
- Twilight shoot — $100–$150 (separate trip, priced as one).
- Floor plan / virtual staging — $50–$150.
This is a volume business
Three shoots a day at $200 is $600; one at $500 is $500 and a lot more driving. What actually limits you is your calendar and how fast you can edit — not the number on your rate card.
Turnaround is the differentiator
Listings launch on schedules agents don’t control, so you being fast matters more than you’d think. Reliable next-day delivery wins more repeat work than being $25 cheaper ever will.
Related: real estate photography booking and invoicing software.
Frequently asked questions
Should I price by square footage or flat?
By square footage tier. A 5,000 sq ft home is roughly twice the shooting and editing time of a 2,000 sq ft one, and a flat rate means you either overcharge small listings or lose money on large ones.
Is a volume discount for agents worth it?
Usually yes, for agents with real listing volume. A modest per-shoot discount in exchange for predictable weekly work is a good trade — you fill your calendar without paying to acquire each job.
How fast should I deliver?
Next-day is the expectation in most markets and same-day wins business. Listings go live on a schedule, and the photographer who never delays a launch is the one who gets called again.