Frequently asked questions

REAL ESTATE SESSION FAQ

  • Do I need to sign a new contract for every property?
    No! This is an annual agreement. Sign once and you're covered for all shoots you book throughout the same calendar year.

    What if I only need one shoot this year?
    That's fine! The agreement simply means you don't need to sign paperwork for each property, even if you only book one.

  • When is payment due? Full payment for your selected package is due before the scheduled shoot date. We cannot begin services until payment is received and cleared.

    What payment methods do you accept? We accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), checks payable to Rae Scott Photo, and online payment through our booking platform. We do not accept Zelle, Venmo or cash payments.

    What are travel fees and how do I know if I'll be charged? Travel fees depend on the property location:

    • Zone 0 (Standard Service Area): $0

    • Zone 1: $150 + Package C minimum required

    • Zone 2: $250 + Package C minimum required

    Check your property location at https://raescott.co/travel-map.

    What if I need to add extra photos after the shoot? Additional photos beyond your package can be added for a per-image fee or by upgrading to a higher package tier. Additional fees must be paid before we deliver the extra images.

    What happens if I pay late?
    Base services are paid at the time of booking. For any additional services, incidentals, or post-shoot charges, payment is Due upon Receipt of invoice. To cover administrative costs, a $25.00 flat late fee applies to incidental balances remaining 30 days after the invoice date. Unpaid balances will accrue 1.5% monthly interest starting 45 days after the invoice date. Access to galleries and future booking privileges will be paused for any account 60 days overdue.

  • How much notice do I need to give to reschedule?
    Cancellations must be submitted in writing with at least 24 hours' notice during regular business hours (Monday–Friday). Weekend and holiday notifications do not count toward the 24-hour window. For shoots scheduled on a Monday or the first business day after a holiday, your cancellation must be received no later than the scheduled shoot time on the prior business day — for example, a cancellation for a Monday shoot at 11am must be received by 11am on Friday. Cancellations with insufficient notice are charged 100% of the full package price.

    What if I need to reschedule more than twice?
    The 3rd and subsequent reschedules cost $100 each (and must still meet the notice criteria of 1 full business day).

    What happens if I cancel with less than 24 hours notice?
    Cancellations with less than 1 business day (24 hours) notice are charged 100% of the shoot fee.

    What if we can't access the property (wrong lockbox code, tenant won't let us in, etc.)?
    Access issues are treated as cancellations and the full shoot fee applies.

    What happens if I'm a no-show or can't provide access in time? If you fail to appear or cannot provide access within 15 minutes of the scheduled appointment time without prior notice, the session will be treated as a no-show. No-shows are subject to a charge of 100% of the full package price. Our team is not obligated to wait beyond the 15-minute grace period.

    What if there's bad weather? We make every effort to shoot as scheduled regardless of weather conditions. Here's how we handle different scenarios:

    Severe weather (heavy rain, snowstorms, hail, high winds, thunderstorms): If conditions compromise safety or image quality, we may postpone the shoot at our discretion. We'll notify you promptly and reschedule at the earliest mutual availability at no additional charge.

    Light to moderate weather (drizzle, light snow, mild wind): The shoot will proceed as scheduled. If exterior photography isn't feasible, we'll complete the interior portion and return to finish exteriors at no additional charge, subject to availability.

    Aesthetic concerns (cloudy skies, fog, snow on the ground, etc.): These are not grounds for a last-minute cancellation or reschedule. If you'd like to reschedule due to aesthetic weather preferences, your request must be submitted in writing within the standard cancellation window — at least 24 hours' notice during regular business hours, Monday–Friday. Requests outside that window are subject to the full cancellation fee.

    All safety-related rescheduling decisions are made at the sole discretion of our team.

  • When will I receive my photos?
    Standard delivery is 2 business days by 5pm after the shoot date. Rush delivery may be available upon request.

    How do holidays affect my project delivery timeline?

    We observe the following company holidays, during which our team is out of office:

    • New Year's Day | January 1

    • Memorial Day | Last Monday in May

    • Independence Day | July 4

    • Labor Day | First Monday in September

    • Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November

    • Christmas Eve | December 24

    • Christmas Day | December 25

    Delivery timelines are extended by one business day for each company holiday that falls within your project's delivery window. If you have a time-sensitive project during the holiday season, please reach out as early as possible so we can plan accordingly.

    What format will the photos be delivered in?
    High-resolution JPEG files delivered via online gallery, suitable for MLS and print use.

    How many photos will I receive?
    The number of photos depends on your selected package (Package A, B, C, etc.). Check your booking confirmation for details.

    Can I request edits?
    Yes! One round of edits is included if you submit requests within 14 days of receiving your gallery. Requests must be sent in writing to admin@raescottphoto.com with specific details about changes needed.

    What if I need more edits or miss the 14-day window?
    Additional edit requests beyond the standard scope, or requests submitted after the 14-day window, are billed at $75/hour. Custom editing must be approved in writing before work begins, and payment is required before delivery of the edited images.

    How long do you keep my photos?
    We archive all photos for 12 months from the shoot date. After that, they're deleted from our systems. You're responsible for backing up any digital files you receive.

  • Do I own the photos? No, we retain copyright. You're purchasing a license to use the photos for specific purposes (see below).

    How can I use the photos? You can use photos for:

    • MLS listings

    • Your website and social media

    • Property marketing materials

    • Listing presentations and brochures

    • Real estate advertisements

    • Sharing with homeowners for personal use

    I'm a flipper/investor. Can I book these packages?

    Absolutely! However, our standard packages include a single-use license for one property sale only. Since flippers and investors typically need to use images across multiple properties, in portfolios, or for ongoing marketing, we require an extended use license in addition to the photography package. Contact us and we'll add the appropriate extended licensing to match your business needs.

    Can I edit the photos? Minor edits such as cropping or adding text overlays are okay, but you cannot alter photos in ways that misrepresent the property or our artistic vision. All contract terms still apply to edited versions.

    Can I use the photos for virtual staging? No — using our photos for virtual staging, or sharing them with any third-party virtual staging service, is strictly prohibited without our prior written consent. Virtual staging includes the digital addition, removal, or replacement of furniture, décor, fixtures, or other design elements within the photos.

    We offer professional virtual staging services in-house. If you're interested, reach out at hello@raescottphoto.com for current rates and availability. Unauthorized virtual staging constitutes a material breach of your agreement and may result in immediate license revocation and additional fees.

    How long can I use the photos? Indefinitely for the specific property photographed, as long as you're using them within the allowed scope (MLS, your marketing, etc.). You may not use them for multiple listings - the single use license is for a single listing.

    Can I share photos with other agents or publications? The license granted under your agreement is limited to marketing the subject property and is for your use as the listing agent or brokerage. Photos may not be shared with or used by homeowners, other brokerages, staging companies, architects, builders, interior designers, or any other third party without our prior written consent. If you or your client needs extended use, please contact hello@raescottphoto.com to discuss licensing options.

    Do I need to credit you? Yes — proper photo credit is required whenever you share images on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms. The required format is:

    "Photography by Rae Scott Photo | @raescottphoto"

    Attribution is a material term of your license. Failure to provide proper credit may result in revocation of your license to use the images. Credit is not required for MLS listings or other marketing materials.

    Can you use my photos for your marketing? Yes, we retain the right to use photos for our portfolio, website, social media, and marketing. If you need a temporary embargo (up to 90 days), request it before the shoot date.

    I need to list a property for a second time, can I use the photos again?‍ ‍It depends on your situation:

    • Same agent, property hasn't sold (prior listing expired, was withdrawn, or cancelled): Yes, you can reuse the photos for a new MLS listing at no additional charge.

    • Property has sold and is being relisted: New photos must be commissioned or a new license must be obtained, regardless of which agent is listing.

    • Different agent from the one who originally booked the shoot: A new license must be obtained, a new shoot must be scheduled, or written permission and payment of a license fee must be secured before using the photos.

    If you're unsure which situation applies to you, reach out before relisting at hello@raescottphoto.com.

  • Does the property need to be staged? No, we photograph properties as-is—whether vacant or furnished. The property just needs to be reasonably clean and accessible. That said, staged or well-presented homes typically photograph better and help buyers envision themselves in the space. Even simple touches like decluttering or adding a few decorative elements can make a noticeable difference in your listing photos.

    What's the best time to schedule my shoot?
    Timing depends on which direction your home faces:

    • East-Facing Homes: 9:00 AM for soft, warm morning light

    • South-Facing Homes: 10:00 AM for diffused, soft sunlight

    • North-Facing Homes: 9:00 AM or after 3:00 PM for even, soft light

    • West-Facing Homes: After 3:00 PM for warm, golden light

    For the best results, consider booking separate sessions for interior and exterior shots, as they may require different lighting conditions. If that's not possible, we can help you prioritize which areas are most important. We also offer a pre-shoot site visit ($100) to determine optimal timing based on your property's lighting conditions.

    What if the property isn't ready when you arrive?
    If the property has excessive debris, hazardous conditions, or other issues that prevent professional photography, we may postpone the shoot. This would be subject to our cancellation policy.

    Do I need to be present at the shoot? No, you don't need to be present as long as access to the property is provided. However, we recommend having an authorized representative (agent, broker, property manager, or homeowner) available for a brief 10-minute walkthrough at the beginning of the shoot. If no one is present, we'll proceed with our professional interpretation of how best to showcase the property.

    What about turning on lights and opening blinds?
    Yes. Please ensure blinds/curtains can be opened and that the property has good natural light access.

  • Are your photos MLS-compliant?
    We deliver professional real estate photography consistent with industry standards. However, you're responsible for ensuring photos comply with your specific MLS rules and laws before uploading them.

    What if my MLS has specific requirements?
    Please review photos for MLS compliance before use. If you need specific edits for compliance, submit them within the 14-day edit window.

  • What if there's a problem with the online gallery or I can't download my photos? Contact us immediately at admin@raescottphoto.com or 303.578.9790 and we'll resolve it right away.

    Can I get the RAW files? We deliver edited, high-resolution JPEGs. RAW files are not included as part of standard packages.

    Do you offer drone/aerial photography? Yes! Aerial photography is available as an additional service. Request it when booking.

    What about twilight photography? Twilight shoots are booked as separate, standalone sessions due to the specific timing and complexities involved. They cannot be added onto a daytime shoot. Please book twilight sessions separately through our website.

    What about video Services? Videography is available as an additional service. Book here: https://raescott.co/video

  • Email: admin@raescottphoto.com
    Phone: 303.578.9790
    Instagram: @coloradorealestatephoto Travel Map: https://raescott.co/travel-map

    We're here to help make your real estate photography experience smooth and stress-free!