10 April 2024
How Much Does Real Estate Photography Cost in Melbourne?
A transparent breakdown of real estate photography pricing in Melbourne — what's included, what drives cost, and how to get the best value for your listing.
Real estate photography pricing in Melbourne varies considerably — from around $200 for a basic residential package to $1,500 or more for a full-day luxury shoot with drone, video and 3D tour. Understanding what drives those numbers helps agents and vendors make the right decision for their campaign.
What affects the price?
Property size and complexity. A one-bedroom apartment in South Yarra takes two to three hours. A six-bedroom estate in Toorak with a pool pavilion, home theatre and four-car garage can take a full day. Most photographers price in bands based on the number of rooms or hours on site.
The services included. Photographs alone are the starting point. Add drone aerials, twilight/dusk photography, a walkthrough video, a 2D floor plan, a 3D virtual tour and virtual staging, and the cost increases accordingly. Bundling these into a single booking from a single supplier is almost always more cost-effective than sourcing each service separately.
Turnaround time. Standard 24-hour delivery is included in most packages. Same-day rush delivery — useful when a campaign has to launch quickly — typically attracts a premium.
Experience and editing quality. The gap between a $300 shoot and a $600 shoot is usually visible in the editing. A flat, ungraded image does little to make a listing stand out on realestate.com.au. Colour grading, correct exposure blending, and careful staging remove distract and highlight what buyers need to see.
Typical Melbourne pricing (2024)
| Service | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Photography package (interiors + exterior) | From $350 |
| Photography + twilight exterior | From $450 |
| Drone/aerial photography | Ask for pricing |
| Walkthrough video | From $280 |
| 2D floor plan | From $180 |
| 3D virtual tour | From $220 |
| Virtual staging (per room) | From $150 |
These are ballpark figures. Actual pricing depends on property size, location, and the specific services required.
Is it worth paying more?
The evidence says yes. Australia’s major property portals consistently show that listings with professional photography — particularly those featuring a twilight exterior as the hero image — achieve higher click-through rates and attract more inspection bookings than those without.
For a property listed at $1.5 million, a photography investment of $600–800 represents a fraction of one percent of the sale price. If better photography generates even one additional competitive bidder at auction, the return is many times the cost.
What to look for when choosing a photographer
- Consistent editing style — look at their portfolio for colour consistency and correct exposure
- 24-hour delivery — this is standard with established operators; be wary of anything slower
- CASA accreditation if you need drone photography — unlicensed commercial drone work is illegal in Australia
- Insurance — request a certificate of currency before booking
At Photastic Shots, we tailor pricing to each property and package. Call 0423 236 131 or get in touch online and we’ll respond with a quote within the hour.