I spent this morning looking at some of the work the big photography franchise companies do. Well I looked at the work that their franchisees do to be more precise and I have to say I am not too impressed by their artwork. Overexposed photos, ceiling fan shadows, untidy rooms and so on and so on. So it must pay being in a business relationship with a real estate agent over a long time because as time goes on the booking of a specific photographer becomes a routine and the quality of the photography work deteriorates by the month, at least that is what it looks like to me. Then I spent some time an looked at the prices some photography franchisers charge. First of all I was not even able to find any prices because they don't tell you how expensive they are on their websites but with the help of google I was able to find this website that gave me an inside view. $1200 for the works, that includes everything: pole shots, twilight, floor plans, video, slide shows, just everything. $220 for the basic, that is for a couple of photos, street view, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and the yard.

Are real estate agents out of their mind or just lazy. Too lazy to do some research and get a better deal. There are at least a dozen freelance photographers on the gold coast that will give you a way better deal for a fraction of that price. You will end up with better photos that are not just batched through Photoshop and had the ceilings whitened. The window view will look natural and not like a painting on the wall and the rooms are neat and tidy.

You can not just take out a business loan, buy $15.000 worth of photography gear, go on a 4 weeks course and think you have what it takes. Or maybe you can, looking at some of their bad photography work tells me it can be done and I understand that the guy has to charge a lot of money because he is sitting on some debt and he also has to send 40% of his earnings back to the franchiser. Yes that is 40%. You are your own boss but you have to pay 40% to the guy that gives you the job. Now what would you rather do? Walk around all day long and take photos then spend even more time in front of the computer at night to get it all enhanced or sit in some office picking up the phone and delegating work for 40%?

What I would do as an real estate agent is I would cut out the middle man and save 40% straight away. Then I would go and find a freelance guy like myself and get a better and more reasonable price product. I don't sit on a business loan and I also have other sources of income. I do this because I love what I do and I don't do it because I have to pay off a pile of debt and if a real estate agent still believes that people on the Internet spend more time looking at fancy interactive floor plans than looking at good property photos then keep paying $1200, it's ok with me.