About the Services
What types of properties do you photograph?
Pretty much anything with four walls (or a great view, or no walls at all). I regularly shoot residential real estate, luxury homes, Airbnb and vacation rentals, waterfront properties, hotels, resorts, architectural projects, and commercial spaces. If it’s a space someone needs to fall in love with from a screen, I want to photograph it.
What photography services do you offer?
My core lineup: photography, drone/aerial photography, video, twilight photography, 3D virtual tours, and floor plans. Think of it less as “picking one service” and more as building the marketing package that gets your listing noticed — most clients mix and match a few of these depending on the property.
What areas do you serve?
Home base is Charleston, SC, and I shoot regularly throughout the Lowcountry and beyond — Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Daniel Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Columbia. I also travel further out to Greenville, Anderson, Asheville, Charlotte, Savannah, and Atlanta. Outside those areas? No problem, reach out anyway. I’ve been hired to travel much further – I love a good trip and travel for the right project! Get a Free Quote →
Pricing & Booking
How much does a photoshoot cost, and what affects the price?
Pricing depends mainly on square footage, location, and which services you add on — drone shots, twilight photography, video, floor plans, and virtual tours are all offered à la carte but good news, I offer discounted bundle packages as well. The other good news: you don’t have to guess on pricing. Head to my Book a Shoot page, choose a discounted package or build your own à la carte shoot, and you’ll see exactly what’s included before you commit.
How do I book a session, and how fast can I get on the calendar?
Booking takes about two minutes: hit Book a Shoot, pick Rental or Real Estate, then choose a packaged deal or build your own from scratch. Prefer to talk it through first? Call or text 843-790-3696, email chad@chadmdyar.com, or use the contact form and I’ll get back to you with a free quote and the next available dates.
Do you offer recurring or standing arrangements for agents, property managers, or builders?
Yes — for certain content generation we do! Let’s set up a rhythm that works for you. Reach out through the Contact page and we’ll talk about a setup that works well for you.
What’s your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Life happens, and I get it — if you need to reschedule more than 48 hours before your appointment, there’s no extra fee, as long as the new session doesn’t need different or additional services. Rescheduling or canceling within 48 hours of your appointment (or a no-show) means 50% of the session fee still applies, since that time was reserved just for you. On my end, if I’m ever the one who can’t make it, you won’t be charged a thing. And if weather is the reason we need to move your shoot, I’ll typically waive the fee at my discretion — coastal weather is unpredictable, and I don’t think you should be penalized for it.
Preparing for the Shoot
How should I prepare my property before the shoot?
The short version: declutter, clean, open the blinds, swap any burned-out bulbs, and tuck away personal items that might distract a buyer or guest from picturing themselves in the space. I’ve got a full prep checklist so you’re not guessing — grab it here: Property Photoshoot Prep Checklist.
Can you photograph occupied properties, or ones with quirks (small spaces, tricky layouts, etc.)?
Absolutely. Occupied homes, oddly shaped rooms, awkward lighting — I’ve shot it all. Preparation is really the only key ingredient, and that same prep checklist above works whether the place is staged and empty or fully lived-in.
Do I need to be there during the shoot?
Nope, not unless you want to be! Plenty of clients hand off a keycode or lockbox code and let me work. If you’d rather walk me through the space first, that’s great too — whatever makes you comfortable.
What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
If weather (rain, fog, wind — you know, coastal South Carolina weather) makes the shoot a no-go, I’ll reach out and we’ll get you rescheduled — no stress.
Results & Delivery
How fast will I get my photos, and how are they delivered?
Most projects are turned around in 24–48 hours so you can get your listing live fast. You’ll get an email with a download link, and most clients also get access to a Client Portal where all your galleries, invoices, and past shoots live in one place. This makes downloading photos, scheduling and creating print marketing materials a breeze for you — it’s handy come tax season, too!
How many images will I get, and are they all professionally edited?
Every single image is professionally edited — I’ve built my whole workflow around delivering a polished, magazine-quality set without a magazine-sized price tag. The exact count depends on the size and features of the property, but you’ll get a complete set that covers the angles that actually sell the space.
Can I request changes after I get my photos back?
Of course — your first round of basic revisions is on me, free of charge. If you need more involved edits down the line, just ask and I’ll send over a quick custom quote.
Marketing & Performance
Does professional photography actually help listings perform better?
Yes, and it’s not just marketing-speak. Homes listed with professional photography sell about 32% faster on average, cutting typical time on market from 123 days down to 89, and those listings pick up 118% more online views than ones with lower-quality photos. The same principle holds for short-term rentals — a Carnegie Mellon University study of thousands of Airbnb properties found that listings with professional photos generated meaningfully more booking demand, worth an average of a few thousand extra dollars in annual revenue per listing. Sharp, well-composed photos are what stop the scroll, whether someone’s browsing the MLS or swiping through Airbnb. Better first impression online = more clicks, more showings, more bookings.
Is drone photography worth the extra cost, and are you certified to fly?
For most properties, yes. Aerial shots show off lot size, waterfront access, proximity to the beach or downtown, and the overall lay of the land in a way ground-level shots simply can’t. And to put your mind at ease — we’re FAA certified, so every drone flight is done legally, safely, and by the book. If your property has a view, a big yard, or a great location, drone photos are usually the highest-impact add-on you can choose.
When should I add twilight photography?
Twilight shoots are where a property goes from “nice” to “wow” — warm interior lighting glowing against a blue-hour sky. They’re especially popular for luxury listings, waterfront homes, and any property where ambiance is part of the sell.
What’s the real difference between professional photos and smartphone photos?
It comes down to light, lens, experience, and editing. A pro photographer with a pro camera and gear setup capture a room’s true proportions and natural light instead of the warped, dim, or blown-out look phone cameras often produce — and professional editing pulls it all together so every photo looks consistent and put-together. It’s the difference between a listing people scroll past and one they stop for. Also, refer to the answer to “Does professional photography actually help listings perform better?”
Licensing & Usage
Where am I allowed to use the photos once I get them?
Pretty much all the main places you need to sell or market the property — MLS, Airbnb, VRBO, your website, social media, and print marketing are all fair game. If you’re planning something outside standard marketing use (like a magazine feature or awards submission), just check with me first.
Can other people on my team use the same photos?
If someone on your team is handling the admin side to the rental or sell of the property (whatever we were originally hired for), no problem! Otherwise, it depends – reach out to me before sending the photos to anyone else and I can let you know based on your needs.
Why Choose Chad Dyar Photography
Why hire Chad Dyar Photography instead of someone else?
A few reasons: I’ve worked with brands like Airbnb, Avantstay, Bolt Farm Treehouse, and Stay Duvet. My work’s been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and HGTV. I’m FAA certified for drone photography. And I’ve been invited to speak on my expertise on storytelling and shooting with intention — the same philosophy that shapes every property I photograph. If you have 6 minutes and 40 seconds, watch my PechaKucha presentation. (You can find it on my About page.) I bring a storyteller’s eye to every shoot — not just “point and shoot,” but capturing the actual charm that makes a space feel like home. Clients consistently mention fast turnaround, clear communication, and photos that get results (one Realtor had her listing under contract in 72 hours). Read more about my background and 14 years of experience here.
What makes your photography different from other photographers in the area?
I treat every property like it has a story worth telling — because it does. That mindset, paired with quick 24–48 hour delivery and genuinely responsive communication, is why clients come back for every new listing instead of shopping around.
Do you work with hotels, luxury properties, architects, designers, or commercial clients?
Definitely. Hotels, luxury homes, architectural projects, interior designers, builders, and commercial spaces are all very much in my wheelhouse alongside standard real estate and rental work.