Question 1

When should I schedule my session?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule your session anytime, even just a day in advance, as long as the date is available. All we require is a retainer to hold your spot, and you can take care of everything online by clicking here.
We need to have the property vacant and fully ready one hour before your scheduled start time. We do not suggest booking your session on the same day as a guest check-in, and other vendors, cleaners, or contractors should not be scheduled on the same day. It’s important to allow time to prepare your space without feeling rushed. If you are unsure about your timing, we are always happy to help you decide.

Question 2

What should I book??!

Accepted Answer

If you're a first-time client booking a session for your short-term rental, we recommend starting with our Essential STR Package. This package is designed to take the guesswork out of the process and includes everything you need to get your listing live.
You'll receive a full set of interior and exterior images, along with detail shots that highlight the unique amenities that make your space stand out. The session covers every corner of your property.
Aerial drone images, FrameFlow Video, and floor plans are also available as add-ons to enhance your package.

If you’re not sure what extras you need, we’re happy to help you decide!
If you have more than one rental on the same property, reach out to us for a custom quote. We offer multi-property discounts and special rates for duplexes.

To get started, email us at info@strphotography.com or fill out our contact form.

Question 3

But I already have some old photos...

Accepted Answer

If your listing photos are more than two years old, it may be time for a refresh.

Updated images help keep your listing consistent and relevant, especially if you've made improvements or changes to the space. A cohesive photo style also enhances the overall feel and professionalism of your listing.
If you already have great photos and are just looking to add something extra, we offer a variety of options such as exterior-only shoots, twilight sessions, drone-only coverage, and social media content packages. These are offered as mini sessions and can be booked directly online.
Every property is unique, and we’re always happy to create a package tailored to your specific needs. If you’re looking for something beyond our standard services, we’d love to help.To get started, request a custom quote here: https://www.strphotography.com/custom-quote. We’ll review your property and put together a customized package designed just for you.

Question 4

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer a little bit of everything to help your listing stand out. Our core service is high-quality real estate and rental photography, but we also provide aerial drone images and FrameFlow Video, floor plans, social media content, staging services, and more.Whether you're looking for a full listing launch, a FrameFlow Video—our smooth, high-end motion-style video designed with intentional framing and movement for stunning marketing—or just a few updated photos, we’re here to help you present your property at its absolute best

Question 5

What time of day is best for photos?

Accepted Answer

There isn’t one perfect time that works for every property, but lighting plays a big role in the final look of your images. Factors like the direction your home faces, how much tree cover surrounds it, and the time of year can all impact the best time to shoot.If you’re not sure when your property will look its best, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to take a look and advise you on the ideal timing.

Question 6

Do you shoot twilight sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer beautiful twilight sessions that are booked separately from your daytime photos. In most cases, we can schedule both on the same day so you don’t have to block off extra time on your calendar.Our twilight sessions begin during golden hour and continue through twilight, lasting approximately one to two hours. These sessions are designed to capture warm tones, sunrays, ambient lighting, and glowing exteriors. You’ll receive a mix of ground and drone images, primarily focused on the exterior. If your property features large windows or stunning views, we often include select interior shots as well.Every twilight session is custom. We map the sun’s position in relation to your home and plan the shoot around the features and amenities you want to highlight. Sessions typically deliver 20 to 30 fully edited images, and we’re always happy to consider special requests.All twilight sessions are scheduled at sunset unless a sunrise session is specifically requested. Please note that sunrise sessions may incur an additional fee.

Question 7

How do I prep for photos?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend that your property be completely photo-ready at the time of your session. This means the home should be thoroughly cleaned and vacant. These images will serve as your primary marketing materials, so it’s worth the effort to make everything look its best.We encourage having a deep clean or property inspection prior to your shoot. All lighting should be functional, windows should be clean, leaves and debris should be cleared from outdoor areas, and features like hot tubs should be in working condition.To help streamline the process, we offer a detailed cleaning and staging checklist you can share with your cleaning team. It covers everything from last-minute touch-ups to lighting tips. If you’d like extra peace of mind, we’re happy to discuss our staging services.

Question 8

Can I be on site during my session?

Accepted Answer

For insurance and company policy reasons, we do not allow clients or other individuals to be on site during photo sessions. This helps ensure a safe, distraction-free environment and allows us to work efficiently and with full focus on capturing your property.If you have specific requests or features you'd like us to highlight, just let us know in advance. We're always happy to accommodate your vision and make sure the final images reflect what matters most to you.

Question 9

Do you stage properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every property receives what we call our “photo ready staging.” We turn on lights, adjust blinds, straighten lamp shades, and make sure everything is looking its best before we begin shooting. This is meant to supplement what your cleaners have already done. For the best results, we provide a checklist you can share with your cleaning team.If you're looking for something more styled, we offer several options. We’d love to talk through your options. Contact us to chat further.

Question 10

What happens if it rains the day of our session?

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry! Rain doesn’t always mean rescheduling. In fact, overcast or rainy days often result in beautiful, saturated images with softer light and richer colors. We’ll move forward with the session when possible and only reschedule if we feel the conditions won’t allow us to capture your property at its best.Since weather in the Smokies can change quickly, we typically wait until just before your appointment to make a final decision. The call to proceed or postpone is at the photographer’s discretion. If you request to move forward with a session despite weather concerns and the conditions prevent us from fully capturing the property, a second shoot may be required and will be billed accordingly.

Question 11

When do I get my photos back?

Accepted Answer

We edit galleries in the order they were photographed. In most cases, you can expect to receive your photos within seven business days. During especially busy times—like holidays, fall season, or the occasional unexpected rush in April—delivery may take up to ten days. It's rare for a turnaround to exceed that.If you need your photos sooner, we offer a rush delivery option for a small fee. This service bumps your gallery to the front of the editing queue. Rush turnaround is typically two to three days, although delays may still occur during peak seasons.Each image is carefully hand edited by Jason, and while we typically work six days a week, we appreciate your patience as we balance quality with a sustainable workload.

Question 12

When and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

To secure your session, we require a 50% retainer at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due within seven days of your gallery being delivered. Payments can be made online using any major credit card. If you’d prefer to pay by bank draft, we also offer an ACH option—just let us know and we’ll provide the details. We do not accept cash, checks, or money orders at this time.

Question 13

How many images will I receive?

Accepted Answer

The number of images depends on the size of your property and the package you choose. We don’t believe in limiting your gallery just to save time on editing. Our goal is to make your space look its absolute best, which means capturing every angle, detail, and feature that tells the full story of your home.Larger properties and those with outdoor amenities will naturally receive more images. We’ve found that setting a strict number actually limits our creativity and your options. You’ll likely receive more images than are typically recommended for your listing, but that’s by design. We want you to have choices when deciding what to highlight.

Question 14

What will my images look like?

Accepted Answer

We’re a stylized photography collective, and we don’t do cookie-cutter images. We prefer to shoot with natural light when possible, using shadows, texture, and composition to tell the story of each space. You’ll rarely see harsh overheads in our work. Lamps and chandeliers are turned on only when they help highlight specific features. Browse our portfolio to get a feel for our style.

Question 15

I had to buy a new couch. Do I need a full re-shoot?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! We offer update sessions for returning clients starting at $250 plus $75 per feature. A feature could be new furniture, appliances, cabinet paint, or any other visual change. You’ll receive multiple images of each updated area—and we never charge by the image.

Question 16

Do you provide editing services for photos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all of our photos include professional editing as part of your session. We adjust for lighting, color, clarity, and composition to ensure every image reflects your property at its best. Our editing style is clean and natural, with a focus on warmth, detail, and mood.We also offer extensive editing services for an additional fee. This can include adding grass, cleaning siding, correcting broken lighting, and more. While we always recommend having your property fully ready before the session, we understand that things don’t always go as planned. Virtual staging and other advanced edits are also available upon request. Fees for these services typically start at $25 and increase based on the scope and complexity of what is needed.

Question 17

Can I share the photos on social media?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely—we love seeing our work out in the wild! Please tag us or link to our website or social pages when possible.

Question 18

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are fully insured (and we even took the headshots for our insurance agent!).

Lights, Camera... Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions