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Listing photography questions

How much does real estate photography cost in Grand Rapids?

Three packages. Standard — $175: HDR interiors + exteriors, 25–35 photos, 24-hour delivery. Showcase — $325: Everything in Standard plus a real twilight shoot, 2D floor plan, and social graphics — 40–55 images. Signature — $525: Everything in Showcase plus golden hour exteriors and a 60-second listing Reel — 55–70 images. Drone aerials are a $150 add-on to any package.

What's included in the Standard package?

The Standard package ($175) includes HDR interior photos of every room, HDR exterior photos from all key angles, 25–35 professionally edited MLS-ready images, and 24-hour delivery via private gallery. Ideal for volume agents and entry-level listings.

What's included in the Showcase package?

The Showcase package ($325) is our most popular. It includes everything in Standard plus a real blue-hour twilight shoot, a 2D floor plan via CubiCasa (room labels + square footage), 3 social graphics for Instagram, and vertical-format crops for Reels and TikTok. Delivers 40–55 images in 24 hours. For comparison, Lakeshore Lens charges $435 for virtual twilight with no floor plan. Showcase is $110 cheaper with a real shoot and more deliverables.

What's included in the Signature package?

The Signature package ($525) includes everything in Showcase plus a separate golden hour exterior session and a 60-second listing Reel in both horizontal (16:9) and vertical (9:16) format. 55–70 images delivered in 24 hours; the Reel within 48 hours. Built for luxury listings in Ada, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, and Rockford.

How fast do I get the photos?

24-hour delivery on all photography packages — every room, professionally edited, MLS-ready, delivered via gallery link by the same time the next day. Listing Reels (Signature package) are delivered within 48 hours. Rush same-day delivery (4–6 hours) is available for an additional $75 on shoots finished before noon.

Do you shoot real twilight or virtual twilight?

Real twilight — every time. We return to the property at blue hour (20–40 minutes after sunset) with all interior and exterior lights on and photograph during the actual window. Virtual twilight is a digital conversion applied to a daytime photo — the windows look flat, the sky doesn't match the ambient light, and experienced agents and buyers can spot it. Real twilight is unmistakable. Available in Showcase and Signature packages.

Why does twilight photography matter?

Listings with twilight photos receive up to 300% more views on Zillow and MLS platforms compared to daytime-only photos. For a $400,000 listing, that can mean the difference between 10 showing requests and 30. The deep blue sky, glowing windows, and lit exterior create the premium look that stops buyers from scrolling past.

Do you offer drone photography?

Yes. Drone aerials are available as an add-on to any package for $150. Our pilot is FAA Part 107 licensed. Drone is especially impactful for large lots, waterfront properties, acreage listings, and luxury homes. 7 days advance notice is required to coordinate the pilot. Weather reschedules are always free. Aerial B-roll footage for listing Reels is an additional $50.

Do you include floor plans?

Yes — 2D floor plans are included in Showcase and Signature at no extra cost. We scan the home with the CubiCasa app during the shoot. The finished floor plan (PDF + PNG, with room labels and approximate square footage) is delivered same-day or within a few hours. Most agents expect floor plans at this point — buyers filter for them on Zillow and Realtor.com. Floor plans can be added to the Standard package for $75.

What areas of West Michigan do you serve?

We serve all of West Michigan including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, Jenison, Byron Center, Rockford, Lowell, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Caledonia, Holland, Hudsonville, Zeeland, Allendale, and throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.

How should the home be prepared before the shoot?

We send a prep checklist 24–48 hours before the shoot. The essentials: turn on all lights (every room, every lamp), clear counters and surfaces, remove cars from the driveway, put away lawn tools and hoses, and for Showcase and Signature, have exterior lights on for the twilight session. Agents who prep well consistently get better photos.

What if the weather is bad on shoot day?

Light overcast can actually produce clean, even exterior light for daytime shots — not always a problem. For twilight, golden hour, or drone sessions, if conditions won't produce quality results, we reschedule at no charge. We confirm a backup date at booking for all Showcase and Signature packages.

Can I book a same-day or next-day shoot?

Often yes. Standard package shoots can typically be scheduled with 24–48 hours notice. Showcase and Signature packages need 48–72 hours to plan the twilight session around sunset. Any shoot with drone aerials requires 7 days minimum. For urgent listings, call or text (616) 258-4578 and we'll find a way to make it work.

Do you offer rush delivery?

Yes. Same-day rush delivery (4–6 hours) is available for $75 when the shoot is completed before noon. Ideal when a listing is going live the same day and 24-hour turnaround won't work.

Do you offer virtual staging for vacant listings?

Yes. Virtual staging is available for $60 per room. We photograph the vacant space clean and wide, then digitally furnish it using professional rendering services. Turnaround is 24–48 hours after photos are delivered — a cost-effective alternative to physical staging.

What format are photos delivered in?

Photos are delivered as MLS-ready JPEGs (long edge 4,000px, sRGB) via a private online gallery — named by room (01-living-room.jpg format) and ready for direct MLS upload. Social graphics (Showcase and Signature) are delivered in 1:1, 4:5, and 9:16 formats. Listing Reels are delivered as MP4 in both 16:9 and 9:16 orientations.

Portrait session questions

How much does a portrait session cost?

Individual portrait sessions start at $225 for a one-hour session, including professional editing, gallery delivery, and full-resolution downloads. Senior portrait packages vary by scope — reach out for a custom quote based on your needs.

Where do portrait sessions take place?

Sessions are held at outdoor locations around Grand Rapids and West Michigan — parks, downtown corridors, natural landscapes, or locations that are meaningful to you. We schedule around golden hour for the best natural light. Have a specific spot in mind? Let's talk about it.

When will I get my portrait photos?

Portrait photos are professionally edited and delivered via online gallery within 5–7 business days of your session. You'll receive a private gallery link to download all high-resolution files with no watermarks.

What should I wear for my session?

Wear what makes you feel like yourself. A few tips: solid colors and simple patterns photograph better than busy prints, coordinate with other people in the session without matching exactly, and avoid logos. When in doubt, bring two outfit options and we can pick on the day.

Can I bring a pet or props to my session?

Absolutely. Pets, sentimental items, sports gear, instruments — anything that adds meaning to the session is welcome. Just give us a heads up when booking so we can plan the timing and location accordingly.

Wedding questions

How much does wedding photography cost?

Wedding photography starts at $1,200 for ceremony-only coverage. Full-day packages range from $1,800 to $2,500. Michigan's wedding photography market runs $2,000–$7,500 — we're positioned at the emerging professional tier: high craft quality without the luxury markup. We do not take weddings under $1,500.

What's your approach to wedding photography?

Deliberate, not chaotic. We're focused on the moments that actually matter — not firing off 2,000 frames hoping something sticks. Our standard: proper lighting, clean composition, nothing inherently wrong with any image. You'll get a gallery you'll still love in 10 years.

When do we get our wedding photos?

Wedding galleries are delivered within 3–4 weeks of your wedding day. You'll receive a private gallery with full-resolution downloads and no watermarks.

Do you travel for weddings outside Grand Rapids?

Yes. We photograph weddings across West Michigan and can travel further for the right project. Contact us with your date and location for availability and any applicable travel details.

Video and Reels questions

Do you offer video production?

Yes — video is a core service. We shoot on the Sony FX30, a cinema-grade camera built for high-quality social and commercial video. Services include real estate listing Reels, social media content for businesses, brand videos, and event coverage. Video listings receive 403% more inquiries than photo-only listings — it's not optional for serious agents or brands anymore.

What's included in a listing Reel?

Listing Reels are included in the Signature package ($525). You get a 60-second edited video in both horizontal (16:9 for MLS and YouTube) and vertical (9:16 for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Facebook) format. We handle filming, editing, licensed music, and delivery as MP4. Ready to post directly from your phone. Delivered within 48 hours of the shoot.

Can I add a Reel to a lower package?

Yes. Listing Reels can be added to any package as a standalone. Reach out when booking to discuss scope and pricing based on your specific project.

What equipment do you use for video?

We shoot on the Sony FX30 with a 17-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. The FX30 is a cinema-body camera that produces professional-grade footage with cinematic color science. Editing is done in Adobe Premiere Pro with licensed music from Epidemic Sound or Artlist.

Commercial photography questions

Do you offer commercial and brand photography?

Yes. We work with local businesses, restaurants, breweries, and brands across Grand Rapids. Commercial services include product photography, brand lifestyle content, team headshots, and event coverage. We have hands-on commercial studio experience from ongoing client work and understand what brands actually need — not just what looks good on a portfolio.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, retail boutiques, local service businesses, real estate teams, and home services companies. Grand Rapids has a strong local business culture and we're built to serve it — Beer City USA alone has 80+ breweries and most need better photo and video content.

Do you do product photography?

Yes. Product photography for food producers, local brands, and makers — well-lit, clean, e-commerce and social ready. This pairs naturally with brand and commercial work. Reach out with your specific product and we'll put together a quote.

Do you photograph sports events?

Yes. We photograph high school and club sports events — basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball — across West Michigan. Sports event coverage starts at $300 for a 2–3 hour event. Corporate events are priced 30–50% higher. Contact us for team packages and multi-event rates.

Marketing management questions

Do you offer social media management?

Yes. Monthly social media management retainers for local businesses across Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Our edge over typical agencies: we produce real photo and video content — not stock imagery, not templated graphics. If you want content that actually looks like your business, that starts with a real camera and a real shoot.

What's included in a social media management retainer?

Starter ($500–$1,000/mo): 8–15 posts per month, captions, content calendar, scheduling, basic analytics report. No paid ads or video at this tier. Standard ($1,000–$2,500/mo): 16–24 posts across 2–3 platforms, Reels, community management, monthly strategy call, detailed analytics, and light ad management. Full-Service ($2,500+/mo): Original video production, full paid ad campaigns, competitive monitoring, weekly check-ins.

Do you run Google Ads and Meta Ads?

Yes. We set up and manage Google Search Ads, Google Local Services Ads, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) lead generation and traffic campaigns for local businesses. Ad management fees are separate from your actual ad spend budget. This is typically included in our Standard and Full-Service packages.

What results can I expect from social media management?

Realistic answer: social media builds consistent brand presence and pipeline — it rarely closes sales directly. You should expect growing local visibility, more inbound inquiries, and a professional online presence over a 3–6 month window. The businesses that see the best results show up consistently (we handle that) and have a clear offer and booking path on their website.

Booking and general questions

How do I book a session?

The easiest way is to book online — pick a time from any service page and we'll confirm your slot. You can also text or call (616) 258-4578 or email kaden@elzingacreativestudio.com. To lock in your date, a 50% deposit is required. The balance is collected before your gallery is delivered.

Is a deposit required?

Yes. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking and lock in your date. We accept cash, check, Venmo, CashApp, and digital invoice. The remaining balance is collected before your gallery is delivered. Dates are not held without a deposit.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Deposits are non-refundable for client cancellations. Rescheduling is handled case by case — we'll work with you to find a new date, though we can't guarantee the original time slot. Weather-forced reschedules for twilight shoots and drone aerials are always free and rescheduled as quickly as possible.

How do I receive my photos after the shoot?

Photos are delivered via a private online gallery. You'll receive a link to download all full-resolution files with no watermarks. Gallery access is active for at least 60 days. Real estate photos are named by room (MLS-ready format) and ready to upload directly to your MLS platform.

What camera equipment do you use?

We shoot on the Sony FX30 with a 17-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8. The FX30 is a cinema-grade body that handles both photo and video at a professional level. All real estate shoots are tripod-mounted for HDR accuracy. Drone aerials are shot on the DJI Mini 4 Pro by our licensed Part 107 pilot.

Are you based in Grand Rapids?

Yes. Elzinga Creative Studio is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We serve all of West Michigan including Kent and Ottawa counties. For projects outside our standard service area, contact us for availability and travel details.

What makes Elzinga Creative Studio different from other photographers in Grand Rapids?

Three things. We shoot real — real twilight, real golden hour, real video — never virtual conversions or stock content. We obsess over craft — perspective-corrected verticals, proper HDR blending, zero filler images. We deliver fast — 24-hour turnaround on all real estate photography, period. We're also the only studio in Grand Rapids combining professional photography, videography, and full-service digital marketing under one roof.

Still have a question?

Let's talk.
We'll figure it out.

Book a Session Call (616) 258-4578