Frequently Asked Questions

It's simple — just head to our online order form, choose your package or a-la-carte services, enter the property details, and pick a date. That's it. If you'd rather talk through the options first, you're always welcome to email us at Matt@BullCityMedia.com or text (843) 685-3654. We're happy to help you find the right fit for your listing.

We believe in full pricing transparency — no hidden fees, ever. Our packages for homes up to 2,000 sq. ft. are:

Basic — $280: HDR photography, ANSI 2D floorplan with measurements, and 1–3 drone photos.
Premium — $400: Everything in Basic, plus a Zillow 3D Tour with interactive floorplan, 3–5 drone photos, and 1 virtual twilight image.
Deluxe — $625: Everything in Premium, plus a walkthrough video, 5–10 drone photos, and up to 3 virtual twilight or virtual staging images.

Pricing scales by square footage, and we also offer a full suite of a-la-carte options. See the complete breakdown on our Services page.

We photograph properties throughout the greater Triangle area, including Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, and the surrounding communities. Not sure if we cover your area? Send us a text and we'll figure it out.

Both! Our packages are built to offer the best value for the most common combinations of services. But if you only need aerials, a standalone floorplan, a 3D tour, or any other specific item, our a-la-carte menu lets you build exactly what you need. Head to our Services page to see everything available.

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. In real estate photography, it means capturing multiple exposures of the same shot and blending them together so the final image accurately shows the full range of light in a space — bright windows and shadowed corners alike. The result is brighter, more detailed, and more inviting listing photos that help buyers connect with a home before they even walk through the door. Every single package we offer includes professional HDR photography.

Yes — drone aerial photography is included in every package we offer. Aerials are one of the most powerful tools for showcasing a property's lot size, landscaping, neighborhood context, and proximity to schools, parks, and amenities that ground-level photos simply can't capture. Our Basic package includes 1–3 aerials, Premium includes 3–5, and Deluxe includes 5–10. Drone photography is also available as a standalone a-la-carte service.

A Zillow 3D Home Tour is an immersive, interactive virtual tour that lets buyers walk through a property on their own timeline, from anywhere. Listings with a 3D tour get significantly more clicks and engagement on Zillow, and they're especially valuable for out-of-town buyers who are relocating to the Durham-Raleigh market. Our Premium and Deluxe packages both include a Zillow 3D Tour paired with an interactive floorplan overlay — a combination that gives buyers a complete picture of the home.

Virtual twilight images are exterior shots that have been digitally transformed to look like they were taken at dusk — warm, glowing interior lights, a striking sunset sky, and that unmistakable "welcome home" feel. They're consistently some of the most attention-grabbing listing images, especially as the hero photo on Zillow, Realtor.com, and the MLS. The short answer? Yes, they're worth it. Premium includes 1 twilight image; Deluxe includes up to 3.

Virtual staging uses digital design to furnish and decorate empty rooms, helping buyers see the scale and potential of a space rather than staring at bare walls. It's a fraction of the cost of physical staging and an excellent tool for vacant homes, new construction, investment properties, and any listing that could use a little life. Virtual staging images are included in our Deluxe package (up to 3) and can be swapped in place of twilight images — or combined.

Yes. Every package includes a professionally drawn ANSI 2D floorplan with accurate measurements. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards ensure that square footage and room dimensions are calculated consistently — which is essential for MLS compliance, appraisal accuracy, and buyer confidence. Floorplans can only be ordered a-la-carte when paired with photography services.

We do. Our Virtual Walkthrough Video is included in our Deluxe package and can also be added as an upgrade to any booking. These cinematic videos are designed to generate excitement, keep buyers engaged, and ultimately drive more showing requests. Want to see what one looks like? Watch a sample walkthrough video here.

We offer next-day turnaround on all standard photography shoots. We know that in real estate, timing can make or break a deal, and we're committed to getting your listing live as quickly as possible — without ever sacrificing the quality your clients deserve.

All photos are delivered digitally through a downloadable online gallery — accessible from any device, easy to share, and ready to download with a click. Images are delivered as high-resolution JPEGs that are professionally edited, color-corrected, and optimized for immediate use on the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, your brokerage website, and social media.

Absolutely. Every image we deliver is professionally edited and sized to MLS-compliant specifications. You're ready to list the day you receive your files — no additional resizing or editing required.

Preparation is one of the most important factors in achieving great listing photos — and it's something every agent can control. We've created a free, printable photography preparation checklist that walks your clients through every room of the home so nothing gets missed. Key things include decluttering countertops and surfaces, removing personal items, turning on all interior lights, cleaning windows, and tidying up the lawn and exterior before we arrive.

Not at all — we photograph occupied homes, vacant homes, lightly staged homes, and everything in between. If the home is empty and you'd like it to look its best, our virtual staging add-on is a cost-effective way to bring those rooms to life without the expense or logistics of physical furniture.

Session length depends on the size of the home and the services included. For a standard photography and drone shoot on a home under 2,000 sq. ft., plan for approximately 1–2 hours. Larger homes or sessions that include 3D tour capture and detailed floorplan measurements may take up to 3 hours. We'll always give you a clear time estimate at booking so you and your client can plan accordingly.

A few things set us apart. First, we're locally owned and operated right here in Durham — not a national chain. When you book with Bull City Media, Matt is personally on every project, from the moment we walk through the door to the final edit. No rotating roster of contractors, no outsourced quality control. We bring over ten years of photography experience and professional HDR techniques to create images that are bright, balanced, and honest representations of every space. We've photographed over a thousand homes across the Triangle, so we know how to handle everything from compact condos in downtown Durham to larger estates in North Raleigh. At Bull City Media, when you succeed, we succeed — and that's not just something we say.

Yes — and we love this work. We offer a dedicated short-term rental photography service for hosts, owners, and property managers in the Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill area. STR photography is a bit different from traditional real estate work — it calls for architectural and design techniques, using a blend of flash and natural light to create a curated, high-end aesthetic. We incorporate both wide-angle and detail shots to tell the full story of your property and help it stand apart on Airbnb, VRBO, and other booking platforms.

We work directly with listing agents and brokers — that's exactly who we're built for. The seller does not need to be present during the session. Most agents simply coordinate access and let us handle the rest. We treat every home with care and professionalism, and we'll never leave a property in worse shape than we found it.

We understand — real estate moves fast and plans change. Just reach out as soon as you know, and we'll do our best to find a new time that works. You can contact us any time at Matt@BullCityMedia.com or text (843) 685-3654.

Don't hesitate to reach out — we're always happy to talk through your listing needs and find the right solution. Contact us at Matt@BullCityMedia.com, text (843) 685-3654, or use the form on our Contact page. We look forward to working with you.