How you deliver your images is part of your professional service. A smooth, efficient delivery process builds trust and encourages repeat business.
File naming
Use a consistent naming convention:
- Property address + room: "12-High-Street_Kitchen-01.jpg"
- Or sequential numbering in shooting order: "12-High-Street_001.jpg"
- Avoid spaces in filenames (use hyphens or underscores)
- Include your business name if required by the agent
Image ordering
Deliver images in the order they should appear in the listing: 1. Front elevation (hero shot) 2. Hallway/entrance 3. Kitchen 4. Living room 5. Dining room 6. Master bedroom 7. Other bedrooms 8. Bathrooms 9. Garden/exterior 10. Aerial/drone shots 11. Detail shots
Delivery methods
- Online gallery: Services like Pixieset, ShootProof, or SmugMug allow clients to view, select, and download images. Professional and convenient.
- Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer for simple file sharing. Less polished but functional.
- Direct upload: Some agents want you to upload directly to their property portal. Ensure you have the correct login details and image specifications.
Turnaround times
- Standard: 48 hours from shoot to delivery
- Express: 24 hours (charge a premium — I charge £50 extra)
- Same day: For urgent listings. Charge accordingly (£100+ extra)
Always under-promise and over-deliver. If you quote 48 hours, aim to deliver in 36.
What to include
- All edited images in the agreed format and resolution
- A brief email confirming delivery and image count
- Any notes about the shoot (e.g., "the garden was partially in shadow — I've optimised the images but a reshoot on a sunnier day would improve the exterior shots")
- Your invoice (if not already sent)
Setting up an efficient delivery workflow
Consistency in your delivery process saves time and builds your professional reputation. Create templates for everything:
- A standard delivery email with placeholders for property address, image count, and any notes
- A folder structure template that you replicate for every job
- Preset export settings in Lightroom for different client requirements (web resolution, print resolution, portal-specific sizes)
Automate where possible. Lightroom's export presets, email templates, and cloud storage auto-sync can turn a 30-minute delivery process into a 5-minute one.
Handling revision requests
Occasionally, an agent will request changes — a sky replacement, removing an object, or adjusting the colour balance. Have a clear policy:
- Minor adjustments (brightness, crop, straightening): included in your standard fee
- Moderate edits (sky replacement, object removal): one round of revisions included, additional rounds charged at an hourly rate
- Major re-edits (complete re-processing of the set): charged as a separate job
Communicate this policy upfront in your terms and conditions so there are no surprises.
Archiving and backup
Keep your RAW files for at least 12 months after delivery. Agents occasionally need images re-exported at different sizes, or a property may come back on the market and the agent wants to reuse your photographs. After 12 months, archive to an external drive and free up your working storage.
Use the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site. For most property photographers, this means your working drive, an external backup drive, and a cloud backup service like Backblaze or Google One.
Key Takeaways
- Use consistent file naming and deliver images in listing order
- Online galleries provide the most professional delivery experience
- Standard turnaround is 48 hours — charge extra for express delivery
- Under-promise and over-deliver on turnaround times
- Include a brief note with delivery confirming image count and any observations
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