Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

Everything you need to know about our professional real estate and vacation rental photography services in Southwest Virginia.

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Real Estate Photography FAQ

Common questions about our professional real estate photography services

Pricing & Packages

What are your photography packages and pricing?

We offer flexible packages tailored to each property's specific needs within our Southwest Virginia service area. Our pricing is competitive with industry standards and includes interior/exterior photography, basic editing, and 24-48 hour delivery. Contact us for a customized quote based on your property size and requirements. We also offer bundled services with drone photography, virtual tours, and video walkthroughs for added value.

Do you charge extra for larger properties?

Yes, pricing varies based on property size and complexity. A typical residential shoot takes about an hour, but larger properties, luxury homes, and commercial spaces require additional time and may include extra fees. We'll provide a detailed quote after discussing your specific property requirements.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check, and major credit cards. Payment is typically due upon delivery of final edited images. For larger commercial projects, we may arrange payment terms to be discussed during booking.

Scheduling & Turnaround

What is your turnaround time for delivering photos?

We guarantee 24-48 hour delivery of fully edited, high-resolution images. This quick turnaround is one of our key differentiators in the Southwest Virginia market. Rush orders can be accommodated for an additional $50 fee with next-day delivery by 5 PM.

How far in advance should I book a shoot?

We recommend booking at least 2-3 days in advance, though we can often accommodate last-minute requests within our 70-mile service radius from Galax, VA. Our schedule fills up quickly, especially during peak real estate seasons.

What's your cancellation policy?

We don't charge for cancellations or rescheduling as long as you provide 24 hours' notice. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled shoot may incur a $75 cancellation fee.

Service Area & Weather

What areas do you serve?

We serve a 70-mile radius from Galax, VA, covering parts of Southwest Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. This includes Carroll County, Mount Airy NC, and the beautiful Blue Ridge region. Travel fees may apply for locations at the edge of our service area.

What happens if weather is bad on shoot day?

We don't cancel appointments due to weather! We use advanced virtual sky replacement technology to ensure beautiful blue skies in every exterior photo, even on overcast, rainy, or snowy days. Our professional editor can transform dreary weather into bright, appealing images.

Drone Photography

Do you offer drone photography?

Yes, we provide professional drone photography services. Our pilot follows all federal regulations for commercial drone operations. Drone photography is perfect for showcasing mountain properties, large estates, and unique aerial perspectives that make listings stand out.

Are there restrictions on drone flights?

Yes, drones must stay below 400 feet altitude and maintain visual line of sight. We cannot fly in restricted airspace near airports or military installations. We'll verify flight permissions for your specific location during booking and handle all necessary clearances.

Virtual Tours & 3D Services

What are Matterport 3D virtual tours?

Matterport tours create immersive, interactive 3D experiences that allow potential buyers to "walk through" properties remotely. These tours include dollhouse views, floor plans, and measurements. Studies show properties with 3D tours sell 31% faster and often for higher prices.

How long do virtual tours take to complete?

A typical Matterport scan takes 1-2 hours depending on property size. Tours are processed and delivered within 24-48 hours, including high-resolution photos extracted from the 3D model. The tour remains hosted for the life of your listing plus 6 months after closing.

Property Preparation

How should I prepare the property for photography?

Properties must be photo-ready when we arrive. This includes thorough cleaning, decluttering, turning on all lights, opening blinds/curtains, and ensuring all light bulbs work. We recommend professional staging for vacant properties. We are photographers, not stagers or cleaners.

Should the property be furnished or vacant?

Furnished properties generally photograph better, but we can work with vacant homes. For empty properties, we highly recommend professional staging for key rooms like the master bedroom, kitchen, and living areas. This investment typically pays for itself in faster sales and higher offers.

Vacation Rental Photography FAQ

Specialized questions for Airbnb hosts and vacation rental owners

Seasonal & Updates

How often should I update my vacation rental photos for seasonal appeal?

We recommend updating your property photos at least twice per year - once in spring/summer to capture lush greenery and outdoor activities, and once in fall to showcase the stunning Blue Ridge Mountain foliage. Properties with seasonal updates see up to 40% higher booking rates during peak seasons.

What's the difference between real estate photography and vacation rental photography?

Vacation rental photography focuses on lifestyle and guest experience rather than just showcasing space. We stage rooms to look "lived-in but tidy," include props that suggest activities, and capture the emotional appeal of a getaway. We also emphasize amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and mountain views that directly impact booking decisions.

Booking & Coordination

How do you coordinate photography sessions around my existing bookings?

We work flexibly around your booking calendar, typically scheduling during checkout-to-checkin windows. Our standard turnaround allows for same-day booking if needed. We can also coordinate with your cleaning team to maximize efficiency - photos taken right after professional cleaning ensure optimal presentation.

Do you provide key pickup and return services for remote mountain properties?

Yes, we offer key coordination services within our 70-mile service radius from Galax, VA. We can work with lockboxes, smart locks, or coordinate directly with property managers. For properties in remote Blue Ridge locations, we build travel time into our scheduling to ensure punctual arrival.

Can you photograph multiple vacation rental properties in one trip?

Absolutely. We offer multi-property packages with discounted rates for owners with multiple cabins or rental properties. This is especially cost-effective for properties within the same general area. We can typically photograph 2-3 properties per day depending on size and location.

Marketing & Revenue

How does professional photography impact my rental revenue in the Blue Ridge market?

Properties with professional photography in the Blue Ridge area typically see 28% more bookings and can charge 26% higher nightly rates. Mountain properties especially benefit from drone photography showcasing views and location. Our clients report 40% higher overall earnings within the first year of updated photography.

What marketing materials do you create beyond listing photos?

We provide a complete marketing package including: high-resolution listing photos (20-30 images), social media content packages, website hero images, print brochures for local tourism centers, and drone footage for properties with scenic mountain views. All materials are optimized for different platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com).

How do you optimize photos for different booking platforms?

Each platform has different image requirements and guest expectations. We provide platform-specific image packages: Airbnb prefers lifestyle and natural light images, VRBO focuses on amenities and space, while Booking.com emphasizes room details. We deliver optimized versions for each platform you use.

Property Management

Do you work with property management companies and what's that process like?

Yes, we regularly work with Blue Ridge area property management companies. We can coordinate directly with your management team, work with their cleaning schedules, and provide photos in the formats they need for multiple listing platforms. We understand the workflow requirements for companies managing dozens of properties.

How do you handle staging for properties that are actively rented?

We bring a vacation rental staging kit including neutral linens, tasteful props, and lifestyle accessories. We can transform a basic rental into an Instagram-worthy space within 30 minutes, photograph, then restore everything to original condition. This ensures consistent, professional presentation regardless of how previous guests left the property.

Quick Reference

Key information about our services at a glance

Delivery Time

24-48

Hour turnaround guaranteed

Service Radius

70

Miles from Galax, VA

Contact

276-237-1019

Call or text anytime

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help you understand exactly what we offer and how we can elevate your property marketing.

Ready to Get Started?

Professional photography with guaranteed 24-48 hour delivery. Let's make your properties stand out from the competition.

Email us: [email protected]