Real Estate Photography: Key 2025 Statistics to Keep You Ahead of the Market

Real Estate Photography: Key 2025 Statistics to Keep You Ahead of the Market

Just about every real estate agent knows high-quality photos are crucial to the success of a listing. But, this is only scratching the surface. According to the latest stats, it’s not only the photos that make the listing, but also the types of real estate photos included.

Understanding the latest real estate photography statistics can help you give shoppers the right view with drone photography, showcase the scenery with proper day and night shots, and more. It’s time to go beyond curb appeal, and leverage the latest in photography to make every house shine.

Real estate agents are already using visuals to grow their market reach

Real estate has never been more competitive. With the wide availability of professional websites and equally professional images, even smaller agencies can manage to stay competitive with larger ones.

Real estate was already a visual game. Since the pandemic, it’s only gotten more visual. The inability to freely travel a few years back resulted in many real estate agencies taking a more creative approach, implementing more HD photos, virtual tours, and other visual assets to make listings more appealing.

And it goes without saying that virtually all real estate listings include at least some photography. While there’s a large way to go for video and virtual tour adoption, these two types of visuals also require more resources than a simple snap of a house. But, are they worth it?

How professional real estate photography affects sales [2025 statistics]

When it comes to real estate photos, you have a number of options, from traditional real estate photos to HDR photography and beyond. Each one requires different levels of resources, and also plays a different role in home sales.

Traditional real estate photography

Traditional real estate photography is what comes to mind when you think of a real estate listing—clear pictures of the house from the curb, interior shots, pictures of the yard, and so on. A listing without traditional real estate photography is like a book without a cover.

VHT real estate photo

While traditional real estate photos are expected in any listing, this doesn’t mean they don’t deserve your fullest attention. In fact, homebuyers cited photos as one of the most important elements of a listing, along with details about the home.

There’s a reason 23% of realtors use digital cameras daily, while 66% of homebuyers say photos are “very useful” when shopping for a home. 

Considering that 81% of homebuyers have an idea of what they’re looking for, photos are a great way to show off key features of the house to those who are looking for their next spot to call home.

Traditional photos are also perfect for showing off on social media, which is the top source of leads, according to 52% of realtors.

Drone photography

There was a time when drones were too expensive to be practical. Now, they are more accessible and affordable than ever, as their popularity in real estate photography shows. (Remember: 82% of agencies use drones.)

real estate - aerial shot

Drones will only continue to grow in popularity, seeing as how listings that feature aerial shots get a 68% boost to their chances of selling.

Not only do drone photos, like aerial shots, help with selling, but a whopping 83% of sellers would rather work with agents who use drones.

Virtual tours and 3D photos

During the pandemic, virtual tours were often the only option for viewing properties. Even as in-person showings have returned, their popularity continues to grow. In fact, 32% believe virtual reality and tours will be even more impactful in the coming two years.

Studies have shown virtual tours can help a home sell 31% faster. While they used to be costly and difficult to stage, more accessible digital twin technology is allowing real estate agencies to easily and quickly capture spaces and turn them into tours.

Yet, only 15% of real estate firms are using digital twin technology. Adopting it now allows you to provide accurate, lifelike virtual tours, you can have a competitive advantage over the remaining 85% of real estate firms that haven't.

Video content

Videos give you a chance to show off every bit of a house, walking the visitor through the property as if they were there. These work well in tandem with virtual tours, as they provide a similarly rich visual experience, while appealing to those who would rather click “play” than click around a house.

Like photos, videos are great for sharing on social, too. But, the perks don’t stop there. An estimated 80% of high-value listings sell within six months of launching a video. On top of this, 73% of homeowners are more likely to work with agents who use video.

Yet, only 10% of agents use video in their listing strategy.

How to interpret and utilize real estate photography stats to your advantage

Now we know that strong visuals are key–photos are a must, drones and aerial shots are popular and powerful, virtual tours are growing in popularity, and video can help you sell high-value listings. Now what?

With all these stats in mind, there are several things you can focus on now to set your agency up for success in 2025 and beyond.

Prioritize digital twins

Virtual tours are only going to grow in popularity, especially as the technology becomes increasingly affordable and accessible. By focusing on digital twin technology now, you’re enabling virtual tours while capturing high-quality visuals in the process.

For example, Matterport digital twins are possible using your smartphone, or any of our cameras. Once created, you can turn a digital twin into a secure, accessible virtual tour for your listings. You can even add your business card information directly into the virtual tour, making it easier for buyers to contact you.

Agent Business Card Contact Info Kitchen

See for yourself how Matterport can help you streamline your digital twin creation process and start offering a more versatile home-buying process today.

Note: As you focus on digital twins and virtual tours, you’ll also want to ensure your virtual staging is in good shape. Just as you’d stage any property listing before a traditional showing, a virtual tour should be planned in a manner that truly shows off the best features. If you’ve already staged the house before a digital twin, then the scan will reflect that, knocking out two birds with one stone.

Implement drone photography and video

Drones are already popular, and those not using them will be at a huge disadvantage. However, it’s important to be aware of the legal issues that come with drone use.

If you plan on flying a drone yourself, make sure you’re aware of local regulations around operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the area. If you can afford it, it’s best to go with a professional, licensed drone pilot.

Recycle your visuals across channels

Whether you’re creating photos, videos, or virtual tours, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the mileage you can out of these visuals. Don’t just add them to your listings, ensure they’re formatted properly and share them across your social channels, in emails, and through any other marketing channels you are using to reach prospective buyers.

Achieve best-in-class real estate marketing with Matterport

Professional visuals are crucial to your success in this competitive real estate space. With help from Matterport, you can deliver high-quality images every single time, boost online views, and show homes in their best light.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. With Matterport, you can ensure your house makes a first impression your clients don’t forget.