Hello from baking hot London

[Malamute01]

Hi there

I suspect this might NOT be the place to post this thread but I'm new to this site so some slack would be really appreciated!

I've been looking to apply for jobs as a property photographer for a few reasons:

1 There appear to be quite a few jobs out there in this field.

2 It's regular/steady work which would work really well for me.

I would consider myself to be a pretty decent photographer and with some guidance I'm pretty sure I can capture images suitable for estate agents. I've worked as a freelance photographer over the past ten years with good feedback from my clients.

But I don't know ANY photographers who know how to create a floorplan or assess a property for an EPC certificate. Isn't that like asking a footballer if he has any brick-laying experience, lol? Who goes into photography wanting to know how you create a floorplan? Most employers appear to think you are passionate about both!

Having said that, I'm pretty handy when it comes to DIY and I'm pretty sure I could get my head around using a laser level. But I'm finding it hard to find any recognised courses I could take that says I can go into a property and capture images, produce a floorplan and issue an EPC?

Any advice massively appreciated!

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi and welcome to TP

I will let others, likely more in the know, to comment about working as a property photographer.

But AFAIK to supply EPCs you need to be trained & certified

Google Search

Thinking about it......I vaguely recall looking at the website of a photographer (can't recall whether pro or amateur?) who stated on his website that he also worked as an Energy Assessor. So kind of odd that you ask about that ~ just wish I could recall the name ???

 

[Malamute01]

Hi and welcome to TP

I will let others, likely more in the know, to comment about working as a property photographer.

But AFAIK to supply EPCs you need to be trained & certified

Google Search

Thinking about it......I vaguely recall looking at the website of a photographer (can't recall whether pro or amateur?) who stated on his website that he also worked as an Energy Assessor. So kind of odd that you ask about that ~ just wish I could recall the name ???

Thanks Box Brownie, much appreciated.

I got shortlisted and interviewed for one job and they said I would have to repay the fees for my training from my salary if I were to quit within two years (which set off alarm bells big time).

The whole industry appears to be behind an invisible paywall.

You appear to need to do these things:

1 A great photographer and videographer.

2 A floorplanner.

3 An EPC assessor.

With no training: seriously?

 

[lindsay]

It's not uncommon to be bonded to cover the cost of vocational training. Pilots have to spend £100k of their own money to train, then get bonded for £30k plus for type rating training by their eventual airline yet only earn about £24k starter salary.
However, to the point, EPC energy assessors are usually separate beasts to property photographers. Pay for your own training and certification if you want to do that, as a sideline. Agents use self employed assessors on referral, they don't employ them usually.
I rather doubt that there are plenty of jobs out there doing photography for estate agents. There are people who do shots for Airbnb owners I guess. We have seen quite a few people thinking they want to do property photography as a job/sideline, but most agents either diy or have someone already. Still, it may be worth asking around. Floorplans aren't hard - practice with your own and friends' places. Look for an app to use on a tablet, I'm sure they must exist.

 

[Malamute01]

It's not uncommon to be bonded to cover the cost of vocational training. Pilots have to spend £100k of their own money to train, then get bonded for £30k plus for type rating training by their eventual airline yet only earn about £24k starter salary.
However, to the point, EPC energy assessors are usually separate beasts to property photographers. Pay for your own training and certification if you want to do that, as a sideline. Agents use self employed assessors on referral, they don't employ them usually.
I rather doubt that there are plenty of jobs out there doing photography for estate agents. There are people who do shots for Airbnb owners I guess. We have seen quite a few people thinking they want to do property photography as a job/sideline, but most agents either diy or have someone already. Still, it may be worth asking around. Floorplans aren't hard - practice with your own and friends' places. Look for an app to use on a tablet, I'm sure they must exist.

Hi Lindsay. Thanks for the feedback. That's useful