How quickly will I receive my photos after the shoot?

We guarantee 24-hour delivery on all standard photography packages, measured from shoot completion to gallery delivery. Photos are delivered via a private online gallery with high-resolution downloads — ready for MLS upload, Zillow, Realtor.com, and social media. Rush same-day delivery is available for time-sensitive listings for an additional fee. In practice, over 85% of galleries are delivered within 16 hours of shoot completion.

Are you FAA certified for drone photography in South Florida?

Yes. All Estate Shutter Florida drone pilots hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates, which is legally required for all commercial drone photography in Florida. We carry full liability insurance and obtain the required FAA LAANC authorizations for controlled airspace near Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), and Palm Beach International (PBI) airports before every flight.

What areas of South Florida do you serve?

We serve all of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties with no travel fees. Primary markets include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Coral Gables, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Hollywood, Doral, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, and 20+ additional cities. Travel to the Florida Keys and Naples area is available upon request.

Do I need to be present during the real estate photo shoot?

No — many of our shoots are coordinated directly with property managers or lockbox access. We recommend having someone present to handle access issues and highlight features the agent wants emphasized. We send a preparation checklist 24 hours before every shoot so sellers know exactly how to stage and prepare the property for optimal results.

Best Time for Real Estate Photos in Fort Lauderdale

Florida Real Estate Photography — Miami, Orlando, Tampa & Fort Lauderdale

Estate Shutter Florida delivers professional HDR real estate photography, FAA-certified drone aerials, Zillow 3D virtual tours, AI virtual staging, and twilight photography for agents, brokers, and developers across South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) and Central Florida (Orange, Hillsborough, Osceola counties). Founded by Mike Brun — FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot, 6+ years experience, 2,000+ MLS listings photographed. Photos starting at $199 with guaranteed 24-hour delivery.

Real Estate Photography Services

HDR Real Estate Photography — from $199

Professional interior and exterior photography with 24-hour delivery. 25–50 fully edited photos. Sky replacement, color correction, object removal, and MLS-ready files included. Serving all of Florida.

FAA-Certified Drone Photography — from $199

Aerial photography and 4K video by FAA Part 107 certified pilots. Captures waterfront access, lot size, neighborhood context, and community amenities. Required airspace authorizations obtained before every flight.

Zillow 3D Virtual Tours — from $199

Interactive 3D walkthroughs for Zillow, Realtor.com, and MLS. Listings with Zillow 3D tours generate 40% more inquiries and earn the Zillow "3D Home" badge. Ideal for international and remote buyers.

AI Virtual Staging — from $7/photo

Transform empty rooms into furnished spaces using AI. 12 styles, results in ~15 minutes. Order online anytime without scheduling. Volume pricing: 1–5 photos $20, 6–10 photos $15, 11–15 photos $10, 16+ photos $7.

Twilight & Blue Hour Photography

Dramatic dusk exterior photography for luxury and waterfront listings. Particularly effective for oceanfront condos, Intracoastal estates, and high-rise penthouses with Miami or Fort Lauderdale skyline views.

Commercial Photography

Architectural, office, retail, and construction progress photography for developers, architects, and commercial brokers. Serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Tampa.

Packages & Pricing

Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. 10% off for new clients. Pay only after approving your gallery.

Package	Price	Includes
Basic Photography	from $199	25–35 HDR photos, 24-hr delivery, sky replacement, object removal
Standard Package	from $349	Photos + drone aerials, 30–50 images, 4K drone stills & video
Pro Package	from $599	Photos + drone + Zillow 3D tour + twilight + floor plan
AI Virtual Staging	from $7/photo	Online ordering, 12 furniture styles, results in ~15 min, volume discounts

Package

Price

Includes

Basic Photography

from $199

25–35 HDR photos, 24-hr delivery, sky replacement, object removal

Standard Package

from $349

Photos + drone aerials, 30–50 images, 4K drone stills & video

Pro Package

from $599

Photos + drone + Zillow 3D tour + twilight + floor plan

AI Virtual Staging

from $7/photo

Online ordering, 12 furniture styles, results in ~15 min, volume discounts

Real Estate Photography FAQ — Florida

How much does real estate photography cost in Miami?

Packages start at $199 for 25–35 HDR photos with 24-hour delivery. Standard package (photos + drone) from $349. Pro package (photos + drone + Zillow 3D + twilight + floor plan) from $599. New clients get 10% off. Pay only after gallery approval.

How quickly will I receive my real estate photos?

We guarantee 24-hour delivery. Over 85% of galleries are delivered within 16 hours. Photos arrive via private online gallery with MLS-ready and high-resolution downloads. Rush same-day delivery available.

Are you FAA certified for drone photography in Florida?

Yes. All drone pilots hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates — legally required for commercial drone photography in Florida. We carry full liability insurance and obtain FAA airspace authorizations near all major Florida airports (MIA, FLL, PBI, MCO, TPA) before every flight.

What areas of Florida do you serve?

All of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in South Florida, plus the Orlando metro (Orange, Osceola, Seminole counties) and Tampa Bay (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco counties) in Central Florida — 50+ cities statewide including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Orlando, Tampa, Windermere, Winter Park, and Lake Nona. No travel fees within each region.

What is a Zillow 3D virtual tour and why does it matter for Florida listings?

Zillow 3D creates a fully navigable 3D digital twin buyers can explore online from any device. It earns the Zillow "3D Home" badge and generates 40% more inquiries. Essential for Florida's international and remote buyers — particularly in South Florida's luxury markets and Central Florida's high-volume relocation markets.

About Estate Shutter Florida

Founded by Mike Brun, Estate Shutter Florida is Florida's premier real estate photography service, trusted by 1,300+ active realtors across South Florida and Central Florida. Mike holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, is a member of the Professional Real Estate Photographers Association (PREA), and is a Zillow Premier Partner. 6+ years of South Florida experience · 2,000+ MLS listings photographed.

Equipment: Sony α7R V · DJI Mavic 3 Pro (Hasselblad lens) · Zillow 3D Pro3 · Profoto B10X. Learn more →

The best time to photograph a Fort Lauderdale property depends entirely on its orientation and unique features. As a rule, avoid the harsh midday sun and aim for the “Golden Hours” of early morning and late afternoon to get soft, flattering light that makes a home look inviting. For luxury waterfront listings, twilight is often the key to getting the most captivating shots.

I’ve shot over 2,000 homes in South Florida, from Brickell high-rises to sprawling estates in Coral Gables, and the single most important variable is always light. Get the light right, and the property sells itself. Get it wrong, and even the most stunning home can look flat and unappealing on the MLS.

Why Midday is the Enemy of Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Photos

Agents and sellers sometimes ask if I can just "pop over" for a quick shoot around lunchtime. The answer is almost always a firm no, and here’s why. Between roughly 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in South Florida, the sun is directly overhead. This high-angle light is the absolute worst for real estate photography.

It creates deep, harsh shadows under every eave, awning, and palm tree. Instead of seeing the beautiful details of the architecture, you get distracting black voids. On the flip side, surfaces facing the sun, like a white-painted facade or the surface of a pool, become so bright they get "blown out"—losing all detail to a pure white glare. My Sony α7R V has incredible dynamic range, but even the best professional gear can’t fight the laws of physics.

That harsh light also flattens the image, removing the sense of depth and dimension that makes a home feel real and inviting. A home in Rio Vista that looks charming and full of character in person can look like a stark, two-dimensional cutout in a midday photo. It’s simply not a flattering look, and it’s a mistake I refuse to make.

The Golden Hour Advantage: East vs. West

To get those warm, dimensional, and emotionally appealing shots, I schedule every shoot around the sun. The "Golden Hours"—the first hour or so after sunrise and the last hour before sunset—provide the best natural light. The sun is low in the sky, creating soft, diffused light that wraps around the home beautifully. It creates gentle, long shadows that add depth and texture.

But in Fort Lauderdale, it’s not just about morning vs. evening. It’s about which direction the property faces.

East-Facing Properties: The Morning Glow

If you have a listing with a key feature facing east—like an oceanfront condo in Galt Ocean Mile or a home on the Intracoastal—the morning is our moment. As the sun rises over the Atlantic, it bathes the property in clean, bright, and optimistic light. This is the light that makes water sparkle and gives a home that fresh, airy feel buyers love.

For an east-facing home, I’ll be there early to capture the front facade or the back patio as the sun comes up. The light is directional but soft, highlighting the landscaping and architectural lines without creating those harsh midday shadows. This is how you get those bright, vibrant images that make someone stop scrolling and imagine having their morning coffee on that patio. These are the shots that are perfect for professional real estate photography that aims for a bright and airy feel.

West-Facing Properties: The Afternoon Drama

For properties with west-facing views, the late afternoon is prime time. Think of a condo overlooking the New River or a home in Plantation backing onto a preserve. As the sun begins its descent, the light becomes incredibly warm and golden. It casts a rich, luxurious glow that can make a property feel serene and distinguished.

This is the time to capture those dramatic sunset shots over the city or water. The long shadows create a beautiful sense of texture and mood. This warm light pouring into the living room through the windows tells a story of coming home to a peaceful retreat at the end of the day. It’s a powerful emotional trigger for a potential buyer.

A Case Study: Shooting on the Las Olas Isles

Not all properties are a simple east or west affair. On a shoot last month for a waterfront estate on the Las Olas Isles, the home’s layout demanded a more complex plan. The front of the house faced west, but the real money was the backyard: a huge multi-level patio, infinity pool, and dock on a wide canal, all facing east.

We couldn't capture both in the same light. Here’s how we structured the shoot:

Morning Session (8:00 AM): I arrived early to focus entirely on the back of the property. The rising sun cast a gorgeous, soft light across the pool and waterway. I used my DJI Mavic 3 Pro to get some stunning aerial shots, showing the home’s relationship to the water and the beautiful morning light glinting off the canal. This is where high-quality drone photography services truly pay off.
Afternoon Session (4:30 PM): I returned in the late afternoon. The sun had moved across the sky and was now perfectly illuminating the front of the house. We captured the grand entrance, circular driveway, and lush landscaping in that warm, welcoming golden hour light. The home looked stately and impressive—exactly what the agent wanted.
Twilight Session (6:00 PM): For a property of this caliber, we knew we needed the "wow" factor. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we moved back to the pool area. This is where the magic happens. I set up my Profoto B10X lights inside to make the interior glow. From the outside, I shot the home during that brief 20-30 minute window when the sky turns a deep, rich blue. The glowing house, the lit pool, the sky, the reflections on the water—this is the hero shot that leads the marketing campaign. It’s an image that screams luxury and stops buyers in their tracks.

Is Twilight Real Estate Photography Worth It?

This is a question I get from agents all the time. Twilight shoots are an add-on to my standard photography packages, and yes, they are worth it—for the right property.

It’s a specialized skill. You

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the worst time of day for real estate photos in Florida?

Midday, roughly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The high sun creates harsh shadows, blows out highlights, and makes properties look flat and uninviting.

Do I really need twilight photos for my listing?

For high-end or waterfront properties, yes. Twilight photos create a "wow" factor that stops buyers mid-scroll. For a standard condo or suburban home, high-quality daytime shots are often sufficient.

How long does a professional real estate photoshoot take?

It varies. A basic shoot might be 60-90 minutes. A luxury property, especially one requiring morning, afternoon, and twilight shots, could take several hours across the entire day.