St. Petersburg Real Estate Photography: Bungalows to Waterfront

Agents who list in St. Petersburg get the same three property types over and over: a 1920s bungalow, a downtown condo and a waterfront house. We photograph all three from South Tampa with a 24-hour turnaround, and each one needs a different plan. Residential packages start at $190, with aerial photos included.

The 1920s bungalow: protect the character, fix the dark rooms

Bungalows in neighbourhoods like Historic Kenwood and Old Northeast have deep porches, small windows and rooms that are separated by walls instead of open plans. Historic Kenwood is known for its bungalow-style houses, and Old Northeast for its brick streets and big front porches. Those are the features buyers search for, so we shoot them.

The challenge is light. A front room behind a porch roof is often two stops darker than the backyard seen through a window. We blend exposures so the window view stays natural and the room does not look orange or flat. We shoot at a slightly wider angle than usual but stay conservative, because a bungalow that looks twice its real size causes disappointment at showings.

Details that sell these houses: original hardwood floors, built-ins, a fireplace, French doors, screened porches. Our shoot at a classic St. Pete home is a good reference, with the entry, the hardwoods, the dining room with French doors to the screened patio and a backyard with a swim spa. See it on the Classic St. Pete Home project page.

Prep for bungalows

• Open every blind and turn on every lamp. Small rooms need all the light they have.

• Clear the porch of extra furniture so the architecture shows.

• Close closet doors and clear the floors, since bungalow rooms are small and clutter fills the frame.

• Walk the exterior for hoses, bins and cars in the driveway.

The downtown condo: sell the building, then the view

Downtown St. Petersburg is the part of town where condo living is the norm, with Tampa Bay views and walkable restaurants and museums. A condo photo set has to do two jobs. It has to show the unit, and it has to show everything the buyer gets with it: lobby, pool deck, fitness room, parking, the street outside.

Views are the big technical problem. Floor-to-ceiling windows overpower a camera, and the usual result is a blown-out window or a dark room. We use blended exposures so the bay is visible and the room stays natural. Because condos are often smaller, we also add a 2D floor plan ($75, and included in our packages), which helps buyers who have never seen the unit. Where a building allows it, a Zillow 3D tour ($150 up to 2,500 sq ft) makes sense for out-of-town buyers.

Ask the building about access and shooting rules early: elevator reservations, common-area permissions and drone limits all vary by property. We will work with the building’s rules. Our floor plan service is worth a look for any condo listing.

The waterfront house: exterior first, water second

Neighbourhoods such as Snell Isle sit on Tampa Bay with bayous and docks, and a lot of homes there have water views from more than one side. For these, the sequence starts with the exterior. Water-facing rear elevations, docks, pools and lifts are what the buyer is paying for, so that is where the sun and the drone time go.

We schedule these shoots around the light on the water side. If the house faces east, morning is the best time. If it faces west, late afternoon. Tide level can affect how a dock looks, so we note it when we plan. A drone frame that shows lot lines, canal width and the route to open water is often the shot that gets an enquiry. Digital lot lines and pins are a $10 add-on.

A twilight shot helps most with waterfront houses. A virtual twilight is $15 per image, and a real twilight set of 5 photos is $200. Standard, Premium and Deluxe packages include virtual twilight images (1, 2 and 4 respectively).

Which package fits which listing

Prices rise with square footage; see the pricing page for the full table.

Questions agents ask about St. Petersburg shoots

Do you photograph listings in St. Petersburg?

Yes. We are based in South Tampa and cover St. Petersburg and the rest of Tampa Bay. Travel is free for the first 30 miles, then $15 for every 10 miles (rounded down), calculated on a round-trip basis from South Tampa. We confirm the amount when you book.

How much does a bungalow shoot cost?

A Basic package is from $190 for up to 1,500 sq ft (35 photos) and rises $20 per 500 sq ft. Standard starts at $325 and adds a virtual twilight and a Zillow 3D tour or social media reel (your choice).

Is a drone included?

Aerial drone photos are included in every package, with FAA Part 107 certified pilots.

Can you shoot a condo with a bay view?

Yes. We bracket and blend so the view and the room are both visible. We also provide a 2D floor plan.

How fast are photos delivered?

24 hours.

If you list in St. Petersburg regularly, see our St. Petersburg real estate photographer page or send the address through the contact form. For an idea of what to expect from the photography service, start there.