Real Estate Photography Frequently Asked Questions

Service Territory & Coverage

What cities and regions do you serve for real estate photography?

Michelle Bollinger Photo primarily serves real estate agents in Frisco, McKinney, and Plano, Texas, as well as surrounding Collin County communities. Coverage includes primary hubs like Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen, Prosper, and Celina, alongside neighboring towns such as The Colony, and Little Elm. Shoots located within this primary North Texas coverage zone incur no additional travel fees.

Turnaround & Scheduling

How quickly will I receive the final edited photos?

Michelle Bollinger Photo delivers final edited real estate photos within 1 to 3 business days. Quick turnaround ensures real estate agents in Frisco and North Texas can upload listings to the MLS without delay.

How far in advance do I need to book a photoshoot?

Advance booking of 5 to 7 days is recommended, but same-day real estate photography bookings can often be completed if the schedule permits. Contact Michelle directly to check immediate local availability in the Frisco area.

What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy for bad weather?

Photoshoots can be rescheduled free of charge if severe weather or dark, overcast skies impact exterior property quality. Because dark skies and wet concrete do not photograph well, scheduling flexibility ensures your listing always looks its absolute best.

How long does a typical real estate photo shoot take on-site?

A comprehensive real estate photoshoot typically takes 2 to 4 hours on-site. This duration provides ample time for interior lighting setups, exterior detail capture, and full floor plan mapping without rushing through the property.

Services & Specialty Features

Do you offer Zillow Showcase listings?

No, Michelle Bollinger Photo intentionally chooses not to participate in Zillow Showcase, offering clients the Zillow Media Advantage with High-Definition (HD) imagery instead.

Rather than passing along the high cost of Zillow Showcase - a paid upgrade that less than 10% of real estate agents choose to adopt - her focus remains on delivering high-value, high-impact photography. Anyone can sort listings directly on Zillow to see that the vast majority of agents opt out of Showcase. If agents broadly believed Showcase was critical to selling a home, adoption would be significantly higher than 10%.

Instead, your properties benefit from her Zillow Media Advantage:

• High-Definition (HD) Delivery: All imagery is uploaded in crisp High-Definition format.

• Proven Buyer Engagement: According to Zillow's own research, listings with HD photos generate 11% more saves and 12% more shares on average compared to similar listings without HD photos during their first 15 days on the market.

• Smarter ROI: Agents receive superior visual engagement across Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and the MLS without paying unnecessary program premiums.

Do you offer virtual tours and 3D interactive online tours?

Yes, Michelle Bollinger Photo provides MLS-friendly interactive online tours that display seamlessly across major portals including Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. Viewers can easily navigate the tour on any smartphone, tablet, or web browser. Once added to the MLS by the listing agent, the interactive tour automatically syncs across top real estate search sites. Click here to view an example.

Are drone aerial photos included in your packages?

Instead of noisy, intrusive drones, Michelle Bollinger Photo utilizes specialized elevated tall-tripod photography to capture stunning, legal high-angle exterior shots. This approach avoids FAA airspace restrictions and neighbor disputes common with drone usage, while keeping images grounded at an eye-level perspective that builds a stronger emotional connection for homebuyers. Elevated mast shots are used strategically at no additional cost.

Do you take twilight or dusk exterior shots?

Yes, twilight exterior photoshoots are offered as a specialized service to highlight custom outdoor lighting and architectural curb appeal. Twilight shoots are scheduled separately near sunset to capture optimum sky color and ambient property lighting.

Can you provide floor plans along with the photography package?

Yes, a full-color 2D floor plan is included with every standard real estate photography package. Accurate schematic floor plans help buyers understand room layouts, dimensions, and home flow before scheduling a private showing.

Preparation & Property Logistics

How should a home be prepared before the photographer arrives?

Properties must be fully staged, cleaned, and photo-ready prior to arrival so the shoot can proceed without interruption for 90 to 180 minutes. Agents should delay placing yard signs until after the shoot is complete. 

All interior and exterior lights should be turned on, ceiling fans turned off, and burnt-out light bulbs replaced across entire fixtures for consistent color temperature. 

Countertops, floors, and surfaces should be cleared of daily items like remotes, shoes, pet bowls, trash cans, and toiletries, while all bed linens should be neatly smoothed out.

Does the real estate agent need to be present during the shoot?

No, agent presence is optional as long as clear property access is arranged in advance. Agents are always welcome to attend, but many prefer lockbox entry to keep their schedules flexible and efficient.

How do you access the property if no one is home?

Property access can be seamlessly arranged via Supra lockboxes, door keypad codes, or combo boxes. Listing agents using the Supra eKEY app can grant Michelle Bollinger Photo secure, one-time access directly using her cell number 972-849-9046.

Do you help with staging or moving items during the shoot?

Light adjustments like tweaking blinds or straightening a chair are handled on-site, but anything else must be completed prior to photographer arrival. Following the pre-shoot prep guidelines ensures the property is 100% ready when the shoot begins.

Pricing, Usage & Delivery

How much does real estate photography cost in North Texas?

Real estate photography pricing is structured transparently based on property square footage and optional package add-ons. Standard packages begins at $250 and includes high-definition photos, interactive online tour, room meansurements, and a complimentary 2D floor plan. View the full rate sheet on the Pricing page.

How many photos are included with a standard real estate package?

Standard packages include a comprehensive image set sized appropriately for the home, typically ranging from 20 to 40 high-definition photos.

What file formats and image resolutions will I receive?

Clients receive two full sets of digital files: high-resolution JPEG images formatted for print marketing, and web-optimized, compressed files sized for instant MLS upload.

What are the usage rights and licensing terms for the photos?

Images are delivered with a full marketing license granting the agent rights to use the media for all MLS, social media, print, and digital promotional materials for the duration of the listing. Please refrain from "AI" ing my work.

Quality & Process

What editing and retouching techniques do you use?

Complimentary digital enhancement includes realistic blue sky replacements, subtle window views (window pulls), and digital fireplace flame insertion. All edits maintain property truthfulness while maximizing visual appeal to prospective buyers.

What equipment and lenses do you use for interior lighting?

Interior spaces are photographed using natural ambient light supplemented by 'flambient' techniques when appropriate, intentionally avoiding ultra-wide lenses. Avoiding extreme wide lenses prevents unnatural room stretching, preserving realistic proportions for appliances, walls, and fixtures so agents can build immediate trust with online buyers.

Can I request revisions if I need additional edits?

Yes, image revision requests can be accommodated. Revisions are rarely needed when the property is fully prepared ahead of time using the pre-shoot checklist.

What if I have other questions not answered here?

Please call Michelle or complete this form, and she'll get back with you shortly.