Quick Answer
What's the single most important question to ask a Chicago real estate photographer?
What's your reshoot policy if photos don't meet the agreed package? The answer reveals more than any other question. Pros offer free reshoots when their own work falls short. Amateurs offer reshoots at full price or refuse altogether.
Hiring a real estate photographer is a transactional, repeatable decision that most agents make poorly the first three times. The reason: the wrong questions get asked. How much do you charge is not the wrong question — but it's the wrong FIRST question. Below are the twelve questions K94 Production wishes every Chicago agent asked before booking, in priority order.
Save this list. Paste it into the next email or DM you send a photographer. The questions force the answers that distinguish working pros from sometimes-pros.
1. What's included in your standard package?
Specifics matter. A standard package should specify: number of edited photos, square footage cap, interior + exterior, turnaround commitment, format (JPG + MLS-sized), copyright terms, and travel fees within Chicagoland. Vague answers usually mean undefined scope and surprise charges later.
2. How fast do you deliver finished photos?
Standard for a working pro is 24 hours. 48 hours is acceptable but tight. 72 hours or longer is too slow for the Chicago listing cycle. If the photographer can't commit to under 48 hours, find someone else.
3. What's your reshoot policy?
If the photographer's work doesn't match the agreed scope (blown windows, crooked verticals, missed rooms), is the reshoot free? A pro says yes — that's part of professional accountability. An amateur charges for reshoots or argues that the original is fine. This is the single highest-leverage question.
4. Are you FAA Part 107 certified for drone work?
If you might want aerial shots, the photographer must hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Ask for the certificate number — pros share it on request. Unlicensed drone work for real estate is illegal in the United States.
5. What camera and lens do you shoot?
Full-frame mirrorless (Canon R6/R5, Sony A7-series, Nikon Z6/Z7) is baseline for working pros in 2026. Crop sensor is a compromise. Phone-only is not professional. The lens should be a rectilinear wide-angle in the 16-24mm full-frame range.
6. Do you shoot HDR?
True multi-exposure HDR — 3-5 bracketed shots per composition, blended in post — is the professional standard. The alternative is single-exposure with flash, which produces uneven, artificial-looking interiors. A pro answers yes, true HDR without hesitation.
7. What's your turnaround for rush jobs?
Same-day rush exists in Chicagoland; standard surcharge is $50. Ask in advance — discovering that rush isn't available the morning of the seller's surprise showing is a worse problem than knowing in advance.
8. Do you provide a written contract?
Every professional shoot has a written agreement covering deliverables, copyright, license terms, reshoot policy, and cancellation. If the photographer can't produce one, you have no recourse when something goes wrong.
9. Who owns the copyright to the photos?
The photographer retains copyright on professional real estate work — that's standard. You receive a non-exclusive license for marketing the specific listed property. Resale to third parties or use unrelated to the property requires permission.
10. How do you handle bad weather or scheduling conflicts?
A working pro reschedules at no charge when weather will clearly produce flat exterior shots. Amateurs either shoot regardless or charge a rescheduling fee. Reschedule policy should be explicit before booking.
11. Can I see three full galleries from recent shoots?
Portfolios show the photographer's best 10-15 shots. Full galleries show what they actually deliver — including the inconsistent middle 60% that's invisible in a curated portfolio. Pros gladly share full galleries from listings in the last 90 days.
12. What's your payment timing?
Standard for Chicagoland real estate pros: 50% deposit at booking (or full payment on smaller packages), balance due before delivery. Cash-only photographers, app-only photographers (no Stripe/Square receipts), or those demanding full payment in advance are higher-risk.
K94 Production Pricing
Starter
$175
25 HDR Photos · 48h Delivery · MLS Ready
Pro
$300
40 HDR Photos · Listing Video · Social Content
Elite
$500
60 Photos · Cinematic Video · Drone · 3D Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask all 12 of these questions?
Pros expect them — they signal you're a serious client. Amateurs find them annoying, which is itself useful information.
What if a photographer refuses to share their FAA certificate?
Walk away. There is no legitimate reason for a Part 107 pilot to refuse sharing the certificate number — it's a public record.
Should I get quotes from multiple photographers?
Yes, but ask the same 12 questions to each — not just price. Lowest price with the worst answers is the worst value.
How long should choosing a photographer take?
After this checklist, 30-60 minutes total. Two emails, one 10-minute call, decision made.
Work with K94 Production
Listings, agent content, drone, twilight — all from one team in Chicagoland.
See Pricing