How to start a Real estate photography Business

 

How to start a real estate photography business plan template

Are you interested in starting your own Real Estate Photography Business?

Introduction
If you're reading this, you're likely interested in starting your own real estate photography business. And we're here to tell you that it's definitely possible! With a little bit of planning and some hard work, you can be well on your way to becoming a professional real estate photographer. There are a few things you'll need to do in order to get started. First, you'll need to invest in some quality equipment. A DSLR camera and a wide-angle lens are essential for capturing those stunning real estate photos. You'll also need a tripod and some other basic photography accessories. Once you have your equipment, it's time to start marketing your business. Creating a website and social media accounts is a great way to get started. You can also reach out to local real estate agents and offer your services. Of course, the most important part of starting any business is offering quality services. Real estate photography is all about capturing the best possible photos of properties for sale. This means that you'll need to be familiar with the ins and outs of real estate photography, from taking the right angles to editing your photos for the best results. With a little bit of planning and some hard work,
Business Plan
If you want to start a real estate photography business, the first thing you need to do is create a business plan. This will help you figure out what you need to do to get started, how much it will cost, and how you can make your business successful. Your business plan should include:
1. An Executive Summary This is a brief overview of your business, including your goals and objectives. It should be no more than a page or two long.
2. Company Description This section should include more detail about your company, including what you do and what makes you unique. It should also explain your target market and how you plan to reach them.
3. Market Analysis In this section, you’ll need to research the real estate photography market and explain what opportunity exists for your business. This will help investors see the potential for your business and understand your place in the market.
4. Sales and Marketing Plan This section should detail how you plan to market and sell your services. It should include your sales strategy, pricing, and any promotions or advertising you plan to use.
5. Management and Operations Plan 
Target Market
If you're considering starting a real estate photography business, your target market is critical. Who will you be photographing properties for? There are a few different options when it comes to your target market. You can focus on residential real estate, commercial real estate, or both. If you're interested in residential real estate photography, your target market could be home sellers, real estate agents, or property management firms. If you're interested in commercial real estate photography, your target market could be businesses, real estate developers, or architectural firms. No matter which type of real estate photography you're interested in, it's important to have a clear understanding of your target market. This will help you determine what kinds of services to offer and how to market yourself to potential clients.
Business Model
There are a few different business models for running a real estate photography business. The most common is to work as an independent contractor, either charging by the hour or by the project. Some photographers choose to work directly for real estate firms, while others set up their own businesses. The first step in starting a real estate photography business is deciding which business model you’ll use. If you’re not sure, it’s worth doing some research to see what others in the industry are doing. Once you’ve decided on a model, the next step is to start marketing your services. Many photographers use a combination of online and offline marketing to get the word out about their business. Creating a website is a great way to showcase your work and attract clients. You can also distribute flyers and business cards in local real estate offices. And, of course, word-of-mouth referrals are always a valuable marketing tool. When you’re first starting out, it’s important to keep your pricing competitive. As you build up a client base and establish yourself in the market, you can start to raise your rates. Finally, remember that providing quality service is essential to.
Competitive Landscape
As a real estate photographer, you'll be competing against other photographers in your area who may have more experience or a higher quality camera. It's important to do your research and find out what your competition is offering before you start your business. This way, you can set yourself apart by offering something unique or at a lower price. You may also be competing against real estate agents who take their own photos or use stock photos. It's important to make sure that your photos are of a high enough quality that they will stand out against these other options. You can do this by offering a lower price or by providing a unique service, such as aerial photography.
Costs & Pricing Strategy
As with any business, there are costs associated with starting a real estate photography business. These costs can range from the camera equipment you need to get started to the marketing materials you'll use to promote your business. When it comes to pricing your services, it's important to find a balance between what you need to charge to cover your costs and what the market will bear. You don't want to price yourself out of the market, but you also don't want to leave money on the table. One way to determine what to charge is to look at what other real estate photographers in your area are charging. This will give you a good starting point for pricing your own services. You can then adjust your prices up or down based on your own unique offerings and the level of service you provide. Another factor to consider when setting your prices is the type of clients you want to work with. If you're looking to work with high-end clients, you'll need to charge accordingly. But if you're more interested in working with budget-conscious clients, you can charge less. No matter what pricing strategy you choose, make sure you're clear about your costs and what your clients will get for their money
Forming a Legal Entity
If you want to start a Real Estate Photography business, you will need to form a legal entity. This will protect you from personal liability and help you raise money for your business. You can choose to form a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each type of entity has its own pros and cons, so you will need to choose the one that is right for your business. If you are the only owner of your business, a sole proprietorship may be the best option. This type of business is easy to set up and you will not have to deal with much paperwork. However, sole proprietorships offer no personal liability protection, which means that you could be held responsible for debts incurred by your business. Partnerships are similar to sole proprietorships in that they are easy to set up and offer no personal liability protection. If you decide to form a partnership, you will need to choose a business partner who you can trust and who has complementary skills. It is important to have a written partnership agreement that outlines each partner's roles and responsibilities. A limited liability company (LLC) offers personal liability protection and is a good option for a small group of founders. 
Opening a Business Bank Account
When you’re ready to start your Real Estate Photography business, one of the first steps is to open a business bank account. This will help you keep your personal and business finances separate and will make it easier to track your expenses and income. To open a business bank account, you’ll need to have the following information and documents:
-Your business name and address
-Your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
-A list of the owners, officers, and directors of the company
-Articles of incorporation or a business license
-A voided check or deposit slip from the account you’ll be using for your business
Once you have all of the required information and documents, you can visit your local bank or credit union to open a business checking account.
Setting up Business Accounting
If you're starting a Real Estate Photography business, one of the first things you need to do is set up your business accounting. This will ensure that you're keeping track of your finances and that you're complying with any financial regulations that apply to your business. Here's a quick guide to setting up your business accounting:
1. Choose an accounting software. There are many different accounting software packages available, so do some research to find one that will suit your needs.
2. Set up your chart of accounts. This is a list of all the categories of income and expenditure that you will track in your accounting system.
3. Set up your bank account. You will need a business bank account to manage your finances effectively.
4. Keep track of your income and expenditure. Make sure you keep accurate records of all money coming in and going out of your business.
5. Prepare and file your tax return. Once a year, you will need to file a tax return for your business. Make sure you keep on top of this so that you don't miss the deadline
Setting up Business Insurance
As a business owner, it is important to protect your company with the proper insurance. When setting up a Real Estate Photography business, you will need to consider the following types of insurance:
-Product liability insurance: This will protect you in the event that a product you designed and printed causes injury or damage.
-Professional liability insurance: This will protect you in the event that a client suffers damages as a result of your work.
-Business property insurance: This will protect your equipment and premises in the event of damage or theft.
-Business interruption insurance: This will protect you in the event that your business has to stop operations due to a covered event.
-Employee dishonesty insurance: This will protect you in the event that an employee steals from your business.
Speak with an insurance agent to determine which policies are right for your business
Setting up a Business Website
If you want to start a Real Estate Photography business, one of the first things you need to do is set up a website. This will be your online home base, where potential customers can learn more about your business and what you have to offer. There are a few key things you need to include on your website:
-An About page: This is where you can tell your story and give potential customers a sense of who you are and what you stand for.
-A portfolio: Showcase your best version on your website so that potential clients can see your work. -A contact page: Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by including your email address and/or social media links.
-Pricing information: Let visitors know how much you charge for your services.
By having a well-designed website, you’ll be able to attract more customers and grow your Real Estate Photography business
Obtaining the Necessary Permits
If you're planning on starting a real estate photography business, the first step is to obtain the necessary permits. Depending on your location, this may require a business license, a photography permit, or both. You can typically apply for these permits online or in person at your local city hall or courthouse. If you're unsure of what permits you need, it's best to reach out to your local business licensing office for more information. Once you have the necessary permits in hand, you'll be one step closer to starting your real estate photography business!
Setting up a Business Number or Appointment Setter
When you’re ready to start your Real Estate Photography business, one of the first things you need to do is set up a business phone number or an appointment setter. You can use a service like Google Voice to set up a business phone number for your Real Estate Photography business. Google Voice will give you a free business phone number that you can use to make and receive calls. Once you have a business phone number, you can start taking calls from potential customers. When you get a call, be sure to take down the customer’s name, contact information, and what they need. Once you have this information, you can give the customer a call back to discuss the project in more detail and give them a quote.
Conclusion
If you're considering starting a real estate photography business, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you'll need to have a good understanding of photography and real estate. You'll also need to be able to market your business and build a clientele. Finally, you'll need to be prepared to invest time and money into your business. If you can do all of these things, you'll be well on your way to starting a successful real estate photography business.

Why write a business plan?

A business plan is a critical tool for businesses and startups for a number of reasons:
  • Business Plans can help to articulate and flesh out the business’s goals and objectives. This can be beneficial not only for the business owner, but also for potential investors or partners
  • Business Plans can serve as a roadmap for the business, helping to keep it on track and on target. This is especially important for businesses that are growing and evolving, as it can be easy to get sidetracked without a clear plan in place.
  • Business plans can be a valuable tool for communicating the business’s vision to employees, customers, and other key stakeholders.
  • Business plans are one of the most affordable and straightforward ways of ensuring your business is successful.
  • Business plans allow you to understand your competition better to critically analyze your unique business proposition and differentiate yourself from the market.
  • Business Plans allow you to better understand your customer. Conducting a customer analysis is essential to create better products and services and market more effectively.
  • Business Plans allow you to determine the financial needs of the business leading to a better understanding of how much capital is needed to start the business and how much fundraising is needed.
  • Business Plans allow you to put your business model in words and analyze it further to improve revenues or fill the holes in your strategy.
  • Business plans allow you to attract investors and partners into the business as they can read an explanation about the business.
  • Business plans allow you to position your brand by understanding your company’s role in the marketplace.
  • Business Plans allow you to uncover new opportunities by undergoing the process of brainstorming while drafting your business plan which allows you to see your business in a new light. This allows you to come up with new ideas for products/services, business and marketing strategies.
  • Business Plans allow you to access the growth and success of your business by comparing actual operational results versus the forecasts and assumptions in your business plan. This allows you to update your business plan to a business growth plan and ensure the long-term success and survival of your business.

Business Plan Content

 

Many people struggle with drafting a business plan and it is necessary to ensure all important sections are present in a business plan:
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Company Overview
  3. Industry Analysis
  4. Consumer Analysis
  5. Competitor Analysis & Advantages
  6. Marketing Strategies & Plan
  7. Plan of Action
  8. Management Team

The financial forecast template is an extensive Microsoft Excel sheet with Sheets on Required Start-up Capital, Salary & Wage Plans, 5-year Income Statement, 5-year Cash-Flow Statement, 5-Year Balance Sheet, 5-Year Financial Highlights and other accounting statements that would cost in excess of £1000 if obtained by an accountant.

The financial forecast has been excluded from the business plan template. If you’d like to receive the financial forecast template for your start-up, please contact us at info@avvale.co.uk . Our consultants will be happy to discuss your business plan and provide you with the financial forecast template to accompany your business plan.

Instructions for the Business Plan Template

To complete your perfect Real Estate Photography business plan, fill out the form below and download our Real Estate Photography business plan template. The template is a word document that can be edited to include information about your Real Estate Photography business. The document contains instructions to complete the business plan and will go over all sections of the plan. Instructions are given in the document in red font and some tips are also included in blue font. The free template includes all sections excluding the financial forecast. If you need any additional help with drafting your business plan from our business plan template, please set up a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our consultants.

Ongoing Business Planning

 

With the growth of your business, your initial goals and plan is bound to change. To ensure the continued growth and success of your business, it is necessary to periodically update your business plan. Your business plan will convert to a business growth plan with versions that are updated every quarter/year. Avvale Consulting recommends that you update your business plan every few months and practice this as a process. Your business is also more likely to grow if you access your performance regularly against your business plans and reassess targets for business growth plans.

 

Want a Bespoke Business Plan for your Real Estate Photography Business?

Our Expertise

 

Avvale Consulting has extensive experience working with companies in many sectors including the Real Estate Photography industry. You can avail a free 30-minute business consultation to ask any questions you have about starting your Real Estate Photography business. We would also be happy to create a bespoke Real Estate Photography business plan for your Real Estate Photography business including a 5-year financial forecast to ensure the success of your Real Estate Photography business and raise capital from investors to start your Real Estate Photography business. This will include high-value consulting hours with our consultants and multiple value-added products such as investor lists and Angel Investor introductions.

 

About Us

 

Avvale Consulting is a leading startup business consulting firm based in London, United Kingdom. Our consultants have years of experience working with startups and have worked with over 300 startups from all around the world. Our team has thousands of business plans, pitch decks and other investment documents for startups leading to over $100 Million raised from various sources. Our business plan templates are the combination of years of startup fundraising and operational experience and can be easily completed by a business owner regardless of their business stage or expertise. So, whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a veteran businessman, download our business plan template and get started on your business growth journey today.