Matterport 3D virtual tours and traditional property photography serve different purposes. Photography is essential for every listing (portal thumbnails, brochures, social media). Matterport adds value for: larger properties where layout is complex, out-of-area buyers who can't easily visit, holiday lets where guests want to explore before booking, and commercial properties. Most properties benefit from both. The Property Photo Guy offers combined packages from £298 (photography + Matterport) across Bristol, Bath, and Somerset.
It's a question I get asked regularly: should I get professional photography, a Matterport 3D virtual tour, or both? The answer depends on your property, your budget, and what you're trying to achieve. Let me break it down honestly.
01What's the Difference?
Professional property photography gives you a set of carefully composed, professionally edited still images. These are what appear on Rightmove, Zoopla, Airbnb, and other listing platforms. They're designed to show your property at its absolute best, with perfect lighting, composition, and editing.
A Matterport 3D virtual tour creates an interactive digital twin of your property. Viewers can "walk" through the property room by room, look around in 360 degrees, and get a genuine sense of the space and layout. It's hosted online and accessed via a link.
They're not competing technologies. They serve different purposes and work best together.
02When Professional Photography Alone Is Enough
For most properties, professional photography is the essential investment. Here's when it's all you need:
Standard residential sales: If you're selling a typical 2-4 bedroom home through an estate agent, professional photography is the priority. It's what buyers see first on Rightmove, and it's what determines whether they book a viewing. A Matterport tour is a nice addition but not essential.
Rental properties: For properties being let through an agent, professional photos are usually sufficient. Tenants want to see what the property looks like, but they're less likely to spend time exploring a 3D tour.
Smaller properties: For flats and smaller homes where the layout is straightforward, photos tell the full story. A Matterport tour adds less value when there are only a few rooms to explore.
Budget-conscious sellers: If budget is a consideration, professional photography should always come first. It has the biggest impact on listing performance and is what every buyer sees.
03When a Matterport Tour Adds Significant Value
There are specific situations where a Matterport 3D tour delivers genuine return on investment:
Properties attracting out-of-area buyers: If your property is likely to attract buyers from London or overseas (common for Bath and Somerset properties), a virtual tour lets them explore remotely before committing to a long journey for a viewing. This reduces time-wasters and attracts more serious enquiries.
Complex or unusual layouts: Properties with multiple levels, extensions, annexes, or unusual floor plans benefit enormously from Matterport. Photos can't always convey how rooms connect to each other, but a virtual tour makes the layout immediately clear.
Luxury and high-value properties: For properties over £500,000, a Matterport tour is increasingly expected. It signals that the marketing matches the quality of the property and gives buyers confidence before viewing.
Airbnb and holiday lets: Guests booking accommodation sight-unseen want as much information as possible. A Matterport tour lets them explore every room and check that the property meets their needs. For Bristol Airbnb and Bath holiday lets, this can significantly reduce cancellations and negative reviews.
New-build developments: Developers often use Matterport tours for show homes, allowing potential buyers to revisit the property virtually after their initial viewing. It's also useful for off-plan sales where the show home represents what buyers will receive.
04The Numbers: Cost vs Impact
Here's how the costs compare:
| Service | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Photography (Essential) | £149 | Up to 15 edited photos + drone |
| Photography (Professional) | £199 | Up to 20 edited photos + drone |
| Photography (Premium) | £299 | Up to 30 edited photos + drone |
| Photography (Ultimate) | £399 | Up to 40 photos + drone + Matterport + video |
| Matterport standalone | £150 | Full 3D tour, hosted on Matterport |
| Photography + Matterport | From £299 | Photos + 3D tour combined |
The Ultimate package at £399 includes everything: up to 40 professional photos, drone photography, a Matterport 3D virtual tour, and a video walkthrough. For properties where both photography and a virtual tour are beneficial, this represents the best value.
05What the Research Says
The data supports using both together:
- Properties with professional photos receive 61% more views on Rightmove
- Listings with virtual tours get 87% more views than those without
- Properties with both sell 31% faster on average
- Virtual tours reduce unnecessary viewings by 40%, saving time for agents and vendors
For estate agents, the reduction in unnecessary viewings is particularly valuable. A Matterport tour lets buyers pre-qualify themselves, meaning the viewings you do arrange are more likely to result in offers.
06My Recommendation by Property Type
| Property Type | Photography | Matterport | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bed flat | Essential (£149) | Optional | Layout is simple, photos tell the story |
| 3-4 bed family home | Professional (£199) | Recommended | Helps out-of-area buyers understand layout |
| Period property | Premium (£299) | Recommended | Complex layouts, multiple levels |
| Luxury property (£500k+) | Premium/Ultimate | Essential | Expected at this price point |
| Airbnb/holiday let | Professional (£199) | Highly recommended | Reduces cancellations, builds confidence |
| New-build show home | Ultimate (£399) | Essential | Buyers revisit virtually, off-plan sales |
| Rural property with land | Premium (£299) | Optional | Drone photos show land better than Matterport |
| Development site | Ultimate (£399) | Recommended | Shows potential to investors |
07How Matterport Works
If you haven't seen a Matterport tour before, here's what's involved:
The scan: I use a Matterport Pro3 camera to scan each room. The camera captures 360-degree images from multiple positions, which are then stitched together to create a seamless 3D model. A typical 3-bedroom house takes about 45 minutes to scan.
Processing: After the scan, the data is uploaded to Matterport's cloud platform where it's processed into a 3D model. This takes 24-48 hours.
The result: You receive a link to your virtual tour, which can be embedded on property portals, your website, or shared directly with potential buyers. Viewers can navigate through the property, look around in 360 degrees, and even take measurements.
Hosting: The tour is hosted on Matterport's platform with unlimited views. There's no ongoing cost to you.
08Combining Photography and Matterport
When I shoot a property that includes both photography and Matterport, I do them in the same visit. The photography comes first (as it requires more precise staging and lighting), followed by the Matterport scan. This means:
- Only one visit to the property
- Only one preparation session needed
- Consistent styling across both formats
- Everything delivered within 48 hours
09The Bottom Line
If you can only choose one, choose professional photography. It's what buyers see first, it's what appears on every listing platform, and it has the biggest impact on whether someone books a viewing.
If your budget allows, add a Matterport tour for properties that are complex, high-value, or likely to attract remote buyers. The combination of stunning photography and an interactive 3D tour gives your listing the best possible chance of success.
Professional photography from £149, Matterport virtual tours from £150, or both included in the Ultimate package at £399. View my virtual tour services or get in touch to discuss your property.
