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Who Typically Pays for Real Estate Photos? | Full Service Media Pros

  • ssecours
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

In today's image-driven real estate market, professional listing photos are more important than ever. Homes with high-quality images attract more views, get more showings, and ultimately receive better offers.


But one question often comes up:

Who actually pays for the real estate photos - the agent, the seller, or the brokerage?


Let's break it down.



A photograph of a beautifully staged bedroom taken for a real estate sales listing

👩🏻In Most Cases, the Realtor Pays


The vast majority of the time, the listing agent or Realtor pays for real estate photography out of their own marketing budget.


Why?


Because real estate photography is part of the agent's marketing strategy - just like signage, open houses, or online ads. Professional photos are a cost of doing business, and a critical investment in helping the listing sell faster and for more money.


For many top-producing agents, high-quality photos are non-negotiable. It's a branding tool and a competitive advantage.



🏠Sometimes the Brokerage Covers Photography


In some cases, real estate brokerages or teams provide marketing budgets or in-house photography services. This is more common in:

  • Luxury or high-volume real estate teams

  • Brokerages that offer full-service marketing support

  • Companies looking to standardize the brand and image quality


In these situations, the agent might not pay directly, but it's often factored into their commission split or monthly brokerage fees.



💵Can the Seller Pay for Photos?


Technically, yes - a seller could pay for listing photos, but it's not the norm.


Some discount or flat-fee real estate brokerages offer barebones services, requiring sellers to pay a la carte for things like photography, staging, or 3D tours. FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sellers may also hire photographers directly.


However, in full-service traditional listings, the agent typically includes photography as part of their services - and absorbs the cost themselves.



🤔Why It Makes Sense for Agents to Pay


Here's the key: Professional photos are a tool to sell the property - and to sell the agent.


They:

  • Make listings more attractive online

  • Reflect the agent's brand and professionalism

  • Help the property sell faster (and often for more money)

  • Increase referral and repeat business by impressing sellers


A few hundred dollars on photos can lead to thousands in commission - and long-term client trust.



🎯Full Service Media Pros: Your Partner in Real Estate Marketing


At Full Service Media Pros, we work directly with realtors, brokerages, and even FSBO sellers to deliver world-class listing visuals.


We offer:

✅MLS-ready photo packages

✅Drone & aerial photography

✅3D tours & virtual staging

✅Video walkthroughs & social media reels

✅Fast turnaround & easy booking


Whether you're a solo agent or part of a large team, we tailor our services to fit your workflow and your budget.



📆Ready to Elevate Your Next Listing?


If you're a Realtor looking to stand out in your market, let Full Service Media Pros be your go-to partner. Fast, reliable, professional, trustworthy - and priced to fit your business.


📞Call/text us: (949) 431-6805

📸Book Now --> BOOK HERE

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