Quick answer
Real estate photography cost in Massachusetts depends mainly on the size of the home, the add-ons you choose (drone, video, floor plans, 3D tours, twilight), how fast you need delivery and travel distance. Sham RE Media does not publish prices; request a quote with the address and services for an exact price.
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If you're listing a home in Greater Boston, the North Shore, or Southern New Hampshire, professional photos are one of the cheapest marketing costs you'll have, and one of the most important. Buyers start online, and the listing photos are their first showing. So what should you budget?
The short answer
It depends on the home and the media you need. A standard photo shoot for a condo or single-family home is one of the smallest line items in a listing budget. Bundles that add drone, video, floor plans or a 3D tour cost more, and large or luxury homes are priced higher. The fastest way to get a real number is to request a quote with the address, square footage and the services you want.
What affects the price
1. Square footage and number of photos. A 900 sq ft Somerville condo and a 4,000 sq ft Andover colonial aren't the same shoot. Many photographers price by size tier. Others offer a flat rate up to a certain size.
2. Add-on services. The most common add-ons: - Drone/aerial photos and video. Great for lots, waterfront, and neighborhood context. Your pilot should be FAA Part 107 certified. - Walkthrough or social video. Reels and short-form video for Instagram and TikTok. - 3D virtual tours (Matterport or Zillow 3D). These let buyers walk the home remotely. - Floor plans. Buyers love them, especially for condos. - Virtual staging and virtual twilight. Priced per image.
3. Turnaround time. Next-day delivery is standard in Greater Boston. Same-day or rush delivery may cost extra.
4. Travel. Many photographers include a core service area and charge travel beyond it.
5. Licensing. Photos are normally licensed to the listing agent to market that sale. Builders, landlords, and short-term rental hosts may need a different license.
Common package tiers
| Package | What's usually included |
|---|---|
| Photos only | MLS-ready, edited interior and exterior photos |
| Photos + floor plan | Above + a 2D floor plan |
| Photos + drone | Above + aerial photos |
| Full media | Photos, drone, video, floor plan and a 3D tour |
Want a price for your listing? Request a quote and we'll recommend the right package. Or call (617) 858-7268.
Is professional photography worth it?
Think about it this way: the commission on a typical Greater Boston listing is many times the cost of a shoot. Professional photography shows the home with correct exposure (no blown-out windows), straight verticals, and wide-angle lenses that don't distort. It also helps the listing look consistent with the rest of your marketing. Strong photos win more clicks on Zillow and Realtor.com, which leads to more showings. Your listing photos also become portfolio material that helps you win your next seller.
How to get the most for your money
- Bundle. Packages are almost always cheaper than ordering pieces separately.
- Prep the home. A clean, staged home photographs better than any editing can fix. See our home photo prep checklist.
- Book early. Weather matters for exteriors and drone in New England, so leave room to reschedule.
- Ask about turnaround so the photos are ready before your list date.
Book a shoot
Sham RE Media covers real estate photography, drone, video, 3D tours, floor plans, and virtual staging from our base in Medford, MA, across Greater Boston, the North Shore and Southern NH. Request a quote, book online, or call (617) 858-7268.
Ready for your next listing? Request a quote, book online or call (617) 858-7268. See also: our services, FAQ and areas we serve.