Why Real Estate Photography Turnaround Time Is Crucial ?
In the field of real estate, time is crucial. Properties that are perfectly photographed attract potential buyers.
Nevertheless, the real estate photography process is often the main thing that agents, photographers, and property sellers focus on, which is the real estate photography turnaround time.
Dancing on a tightrope of constraints, effectively promoting top marketing properties, and being ahead of the competition is only possible with the leading players.
Table of Contents
Real Estate Photography Turnaround Time – What Is It?
The concept of real estate photography turnaround time is the period from the time a photoshoot is conducted to when the finalized images are sent to the client.
This is not the case with most, but the length of time can be affected by multiple things, like the number of photos being taken, the photographer’s work schedule, and the need for special editing, among others.
Rapid adaptation is often expected, particularly in situations where slow work affects the property’s sale.
Why Is Turnaround Time Important?
Turnaround time is not really only a matter of importance. On the one hand, here are some of the significant reasons why it is relevant:
- Quick Listings: Properties that are advertised early with professional photos usually get more prospective buyers. This way, a quick turnaround time allows real estate agents to promote the properties faster, which gives them a competitive advantage.
- First Impressions Matter: Pictures of good quality are typically among the first things the buyer sees. The delayed photos can lead to a loss of customers as they will look for options at other dealers.
- Time-Driven Markets: In real estate, particularly hot markets, the most popular ones will get offers and sales happening at a breakneck pace. Thus, agents will present pictures that are ready in a timely manner that will make them successful.
- Profile Building: The supply of reliable photographers who are punctual will be the main asset for the seller’s client. Making deadlines is the key to creating trust in a reliable, professional image.
Factors Impacting Real Estate Photography Turnaround Time
Several factors could determine how quickly images can be turned around. By understanding these, customers will be able to have clear visions, while photographers will organize workflows in the most efficient way possible.
1. Workload
A photographer whose work is really demanded on the market and who is busy with many projects at the same time usually does not have a quick turnaround time.
During peak periods, such as spring and summer, when the demand for real estate is relatively high, slow work becomes a common problem.
Real estate photography is often about intense post-processing. For instance, tasks require adjusting lighting, colour correction, removing distractions, and enhancing the details—all of which consume time and expertise.
Besides, more complicated editing needs like virtual staging and twilight conversions can prolong the time needed for delivery.
3. Amount of Images Being Taken
The more images taken, the higher the time needed for a photo shoot to be processed and delivered.
It is common to execute a session aimed at small properties that would include 20-30 images, while more significant properties, as well as luxury homes, would need up to 50-100 images.
4. Tools and Technology
A photographer’s throughput can also be affected by the software and tools they are using. Advanced editing software, batch processing tools, and efficient workflows can significantly improve the speed of the process.
5. Photographer’s Style of Workflow
Each photographer has a different style of working. Some may resort to outsourcing image editing to a team of dedicated editors, while the rest choose to use their in-house resources.
However, partnering with an editing company can sometimes speed up the process when the team is very efficient.
Typical Times in the Industry
A majority of professional real estate photographers plan to deliver the images within 24 hours to 48 hours after the photo session.
These times are relevant in equitable distribution where quality is the rule and speed follows high quality along with finishing the editing procedure.
- Virtual Staging: The time frame for virtual staging is from 48 to 72 hours.
- Aerial Photography: 24-48 hours.
- Twilight Photography: 48-72 hours.
However, the exact time for these services may differ depending on the quality of the service provider and the complexities encountered in the project.
Faster Turnaround Tips
If you are a photographer and want to make your job more efficient or a client who needs a faster delivery, definitely, the following tips can help to make your turnaround times more effective:
For Photographers:
- Plan Better: The shooting schedule should be implemented so as not to be crowded with too many bookings.
- Apply Presets: Photographers all have presets for functions like Lightroom, making the essential post-processing operation easier.
- Invest in Technology: The implementation of a high-performance machine along with cutting-edge software can reduce data processing time significantly.
- Outsource: Make sure that outsourced editing software companies follow their part changes and deliver their work on time properly.
- Communicate: Make sure the client knows all the details of the job before it starts.
For Clients:
- Specific Information: To avoid the back and forth due to revisions, state the requirements in detail right away.
- Preparation: Among other necessities, make sure the home is in great shape and has all space/stage preparation completed before the photoshoot.
- Go Straight to the Experts: Find the pros who have a history of being on time and working well with clients.
Nurturing Speed and Quality Balance
However, rapid turnaround time cannot always guarantee high quality, but the quality is just as important. If the editing is rushed, it ends in poor-quality images that do not advertise the property well.
The speed level in the production of the final pictures has to be carefully decided to guarantee that the customers will receive images free of problems and without any inconveniences to the parties involved.
Communicating the Expectations
Clear communication between the client and the photographer is crucial for the proper management of the expectations. Before the shoot, talk about:
- The anticipated delivery date.
- The specific details of the editing.
- The number of pictures required.
- The position of the client is for additional facilities in the case of entertainment or other choices.
With strong agreements, misunderstandings are eliminated.
The Role of Technology in Decreasing Turnaround Time
Technological achievements have radically shaped the industry of real estate photography in the last couple of years.
It is easier now than ever to deliver quality photos within the shortest possible terms with the advent of automatic software, AI enhancement, and cloud-based collaboration.
Photographers who are capable of embracing progress can stay in the line of competition and, at the same time, meet the demands of the clients in the bargain.
Conclusion
Among the different factors affecting the property marketing process, one of the most important roles is played by the real estate photography turnaround time.
Suppose you are a real estate agent and you need to list properties in a hurry or a photographer working to exceed the customer’s expectations. In that case, the underlying reasons which contribute to speeding up or slowing down the process should be at your fingertips.
By following the most efficient methods in the workflow with the utmost care for quality and time, success always ensues on both ends. The delivery of exceptional real estate photos quickly can immensely affect the property market trends, leading to sales taking place at a faster pace and properties being showcased more uniquely.
