Grow your photography business in Michigan. Connect with local real estate agents and earn $200-900 per property shoot.
Getting started as a real estate photographer in Michigan requires some basic equipment and skills. Here's what successful photographers typically have.
Full-frame or APS-C camera, wide-angle lens (16-35mm), sturdy tripod, and external flash. Budget: $2,000-5,000.
Adobe Lightroom for batch editing, Photoshop for advanced retouching. Learn HDR blending and perspective correction.
DJI Mini or Air series for aerial shots. Requires FAA Part 107 certification. Adds $100-200 per shoot to your rates.
You'll travel to properties across Michigan. A reliable vehicle is essential for on-time arrivals with your gear.
From finding your first client to delivering final photos, here's the typical workflow for real estate photographers in Michigan.
Sign up free, upload portfolio samples, set your service area and rates.
Agents find you and reach out with job details, property info, and scheduling.
Arrive on-site, capture interior/exterior photos. Typical shoot: 1-2 hours.
Process photos, deliver within 24-48 hours via online gallery or download link.
Invoice your client directly. Most photographers collect payment within 7-14 days.
Your earnings depend on the services you offer. Here's what Michigan photographers typically charge per property.
$150-300
25-40 edited interior/exterior photos. Most common service for residential listings.
$250-450
Standard photos plus 5-10 aerial shots. Popular for larger properties.
$400-900
Photos, drone, video walkthrough, and/or 3D virtual tour. Premium listings.
Real estate photographers in Michigan earn $200-900 per property shoot. Your rate depends on property size, services offered (drone, virtual tours, twilight shots), and experience level. Top photographers complete 3-5 shoots weekly.
You handle payment directly with your clients - no platform fees. Most photographers invoice after delivering photos, with payment due within 7-14 days. Set your own rates and payment terms.
Essential gear: full-frame or APS-C camera, wide-angle lens (16-35mm), sturdy tripod, speedlight or flash kit, and Lightroom for editing. Budget $2,000-5,000 for a professional starter kit.
Create your free PropPhoto profile to connect with Michigan real estate agents. Upload portfolio samples, set competitive rates, and respond quickly to inquiries. Network at local realtor association events.
Yes! Many real estate photographers start part-time. Shoots are flexible, mostly on weekdays when homes are vacant. You control your schedule and can scale up as your client base grows.
Basic business registration and liability insurance are recommended. For drone/aerial real estate photography, you need FAA Part 107 certification. Check Michigan local requirements for specifics.