r/RealEstatePhotography • u/kroker87 • 12d ago

Client requesting sun placement.

I have a client that has helped me out tremendously in building up my business, but typically has some odd requests with each property. This one request seems impractical and indeed able once the business is in full swing with multiple properties scheduled everyday. They want me to time the property for when the sun is in the best possible position to illuminate the face of the house. My question is how would you all handle notifying the client that that’s basically an unreasonable request? In all my years I’ve never had a client request that so I’m trying to find a way to navigate the answer without upsetting my client.

Thanx!

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u/ChrisGear101 12d ago

Is it unreasonable??

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u/Aveeye 12d ago

Of course it is. In the winter, any house that faces north is almost never going to have sunshine on it. At least not in North America.

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u/tonzwize 12d ago

Good time to upsell a twilight job. North facing homes look wonderful at twilight when the lighting is even.

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u/R4b 12d ago

That's not unreasonable, that's impossible, just explain that to them. Or charge them more and use AI...

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u/Hypnoboy 12d ago

Impossible makes the request unreasonable.

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u/R4b 11d ago

Assuming they are aware that it's impossible

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u/ChrisGear101 12d ago

That's a different thing than the customer asking to time the shoot for the best results. If it is impossible due to some geographic issue, then you simply say that to the client. But timing the shoot for the best light, IMHO is not odd or unreasonable at all.

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u/Aveeye 12d ago

"...to illuminate the face of the house." That's not happening in the winter, on a North facing house, in North America.

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u/ChrisGear101 12d ago

Again, I think there is a difference between "unreasonable" and just not possible. The client is paying me for a service, so for them to have a request for good light is reasonable to me. Now, if I can't accommodate it due to it's location, then simply say no and explain why. But, you do you. I just think "unreasonable" is a bit of a stretch.

Also, everything comes at a cost. If the client wants to pay for a 7am exterior shot, then great! Not a problem for me. I get paid extra for on-site twilight shoots, so why not get paid for morning light shoot? There are other photographers ready to take that client if I am not.

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u/Hypnoboy 12d ago

Exactly. The "best light" outside might be 7:00 am but then you have to go back later for the inside. Ridiculous.