Why do I need professional photography?

According the the National Association of Realtors, 97% of home buyers used the internet in their home search in 2020. And the very first thing a prospective buyer usually sees is a photo of the property. Redfin found in 2016 that homes advertised using professional photography sold an average of three weeks faster and and for an average of $3400 more than homes that didn’t have professional photos in their listings. Professional photography is crucial to make your listing look its absolute best so that it really grabs the eye and shows off the best features of the home. Not only do professional images help sell your property, they also make your personal brand as an agent look better.

Smartphone cameras are amazing these days! Why shouldn’t I just shoot the property myself?

They are amazing, in fact my iPhone 12 Pro is one of the best cameras I’ve ever owned! But I wouldn’t shoot a home with it and try to pass the results off as professional. As great as smartphone cameras are, they don’t allow full control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Additionally, their small sensors can’t take in as much light and information which is crucial in the editing process, and that’s where real estate photography images really come to life!

What sets Hans Meyer Photographic apart?

There are a lot of great real estate photographers in the NY/NJ market, but unfortunately there are also a lot of outfits just trying to make a quick buck who don’t take pride in their work. What you can expect from me is pride, professionalism, and the personal touch. Hans Meyer Photographic is just me, Hans. I do all the shooting and editing myself, and I have a personal stake in making sure you look your best, because if you do then so do I.

How many pictures will I get?

My goal is to tell the story of the home you’re trying to sell, and I take as many photos as necessary to do that. I don’t charge per image so I don’t count shots on site. Depending on the size of the property and whether aerial photos are included, the final tally can be anywhere between 20 and 70 images.

What if I don’t like the final images?

I want your listing and your brand to look as good as possible. If you’re not satisfied with the images I’ll work with you to make sure we get a final product we’re both happy with.

Do you offer drone photos?

Yes. I hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Some areas have flight restrictions but I can often get temporary authorization to fly in restricted airspace.
Please note: aerial photography is currently prohibited/unavailable in all five NYC boroughs.

Do you offer 3D/360° tours?

Yes, I can work with Matterport, Zillow 3D, Metareal, and Urban Immersive. Prices include hosting the tour which is then easily embedded into your listing.

How long does a shoot take?

A typical shoot can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. It all depends on the size of the property, and whether I’m doing aerial shots, 360° tours, video walk-throughs etc.

Does the owner need to be home during the shoot?

No, I’m happy to shoot when the owners aren’t home. In fact, I prefer it!

Do I need to be there?

The main advantage to you being there is that you can see the shots as I shoot them to make sure you’re satisfied with the composition. But I’m happy to shoot solo, and you can let me know if there are any special instructions or areas that I should pay extra attention to. And I have a Supra eKey, so you don’t even need to be there to open the door.

Will you move things around if the property isn’t quite ready?

I may adjust a throw pillow or two, but the property should be completely ready to shoot by the time I am on site. When you book a shoot I’ll send you instructions for property preparation that you can pass on to the property owner. Please note that I don’t have time to wait for a property owner to move items from room to room during the shoot.

What if it rains?

Do you know what they call a sunny day in New Jersey after two days of rain? Monday. Seriously though, even if it rains, most shoots can go ahead. Rainy days actually make for nice lighting for interior shots, and if it’s not raining too hard I can still shoot exteriors and remove the rain in post. Aerial photography is usually the biggest issue, but I’ll still fly in a light drizzle if conditions are safe for the drone. I won’t charge you a cancellation fee if a shoot has to be called off because of extreme weather, but in some cases I may need to charge a trip fee ($40) if I have to return to a property for exterior/aerial shots.

Can you replace a cloudy sky with a blue one?

Yep, I do it all the time and there’s no extra charge.

Can you replace the image on a TV screen or add a fire to an unlit fireplace?

Yes, for $20 per image.

How do I get my images from you?

I’ll post your images in a private online gallery that you can download from directly.

Will the images be print-quality?

Images will be optimized for MLS, but if you need higher resolution images for print just let me know. There is no extra charge and I can provide a print release if necessary.

Will I own the images since I paid for them?

No, what you’re paying for is the shoot, the editing, and a license to use the images for the property listing. The license covers MLS, social, and print media for as long as you have the property on the market. It is non-resellable and non-transferable, but if it does need to be transferred I’m happy to negotiate a fair price for that.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel within 24 hours, there’s a $40 cancellation fee, and if you cancel within 12 hours it’s $80. I believe this policy is fair and respectful of both your time and mine. There is no fee for cancellation due to extreme weather.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I’ll send you an invoice with payment links for credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. I’m also happy to accept cash or check in person. Payment is due before delivery of final images.

Are you insured?

Yes. I can provide a COI on request.

What are your COVID-19 protocols?

I am Pfully Pfizered and following CDC guidance, but I’m also happy to follow any COVID precautions requested by you, your agency, and/or the property owners.

How do I schedule a shoot?

Get in touch with me via text, email, or phone, and we’ll set it up!