What a listing shoot costs in Melbourne

A listing shoot costs more than most people expect, because of the time on site and the post-production effort behind it. Our starting prices are $650 for photography, $1,200 for photo and video, and $2,400 for a cinematic listing, all ex GST.

How much does real estate photography cost in Melbourne?

Photography starts from $650 ex GST. That is the full listing gallery, with editing and colour grade included. The time on site is one part. The second part is the post-production work that turns the raw footage into something usable.

We shoot at different exposures so everything is visible. In the edit we merge them into one clean image with nothing over or underexposed, then make basic, clean adjustments with very minimal changes to the colour. In real estate you want to show the property as it is, not something trying to be different to what it actually is.

How much does real estate videography cost?

Typically with a listing you want photo and video, including drone. Photo and video start from $1,200 ex GST, with one crew on one visit. Time on site is typically 2 to 3 hours, drone included. Video only is from $850 ex GST, on request.

Drone is really good for showing off the property from a nice aerial view, and the local amenities around it. We also try to include footage from local places, like a shopping centre, to show there is a close-knit community around the property. The area is one of the largest drivers of property value. Drone is included in the cinematic listing and can be added to any other listing, quoted per property because it depends on the property and the airspace around it.

Why do prices vary?

What makes a listing cost more is the campaign behind it. A small unit you are leasing, or a listing on Airbnb, generally gets a lighter approach, because there is no point spending extra money when it does not get you the direct return a bigger campaign would. There is no set package for these. It is usually photos only, and sometimes a basic custom-tailored package of a very basic video with a few photos. It is quoted per property.

For a bigger, nicer or more luxury property, we invest in a higher package. That still includes video, and we can go further with a cinematic listing.

What does a cinematic listing cost?

A cinematic listing starts from $2,400 ex GST. It includes the cinematic listing film, the full gallery, a drone and twilight coverage. It is more than a basic video: we build a whole, clean cinematic campaign around the property, with the agent talking to camera and explaining the different parts, the details of the property and the areas around it. It sits inside the top package along with twilight and other extras, and it can include social videos. A lighter version of the agent-to-camera cinematic can be done in the lower package.

On one we did recently, we drove around the local area and showed local cafes, local sports grounds and the local shopping centre. That adds to the value, because it is not only the property, it is the area.

The prices at a glance

All ex GST. Photography from $650. Photo and Video from $1,200. Cinematic Listing from $2,400. Video only from $850, on request. Listing Partner from $1,500 a month, tailored. A small unit or Airbnb is usually photos only, or a basic custom package, quoted per property. Drone on any package other than Cinematic is quoted per property. Every listing is quoted against the property and the brief.

What is the costliest mistake agents make when comparing quotes?

Not actually reviewing the quality. Agents get a few quotes and often go for the middle one, because it is the easy one to pick. But everything comes at a price for a reason. Our work is on the premium end, and that is for a reason. Look through the content on our website. We are a premium media agency, and that is why we charge higher prices.

If you want something quick and easy, or you are getting a newbie into the industry, you can go for a cheaper service. The catch is you get less quality in the photos, and one of the big things you lose is detail.

Why are we a premium option?

The cameras we shoot on are top-of-the-range professional photo and video cameras with sensors close to 50 megapixels. That packs a lot of detail into the images, so you can crop in and zoom as far as you like and still get a lot of quality. You are paying for us, our time and our expertise, and you are paying for the equipment.

The other part is the customer experience. You can call us anytime and we will always pick up, and we keep you well informed along the way with access to our client portal. Other places will leave you in the dark for days until you get the deliverables.

More on what we shoot for agents is on our real estate page.