We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Teresa Hayter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Teresa below.

Alright, Teresa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Coloring Outside the Lines: The Story Behind the Name

In a world obsessed with picture-perfect imagery, Broken Crayon Photography is challenging the norm—one real estate listing at a time.

Founded on the belief that beauty doesn’t have to be flawless, this photography brand is making waves in the real estate market by focusing on the feeling behind every frame. And it’s all rooted in one powerful truth: “A broken crayon still colors.”

For me, the creative force behind the lens, the name isn’t just a clever metaphor—it’s a mission. “I’ve always been drawn to spaces that have a story. It’s not about shooting a room; it’s about capturing its soul.”

Specializing in real estate photography, Broken Crayon Photography brings a fresh perspective to the industry. The company offers more than crisp lines and bright lighting (though there’s plenty of that). Each shoot is designed to showcase a property’s personality—its warmth, character, and potential.

From cozy starter homes to high-end listings, the approach remains the same: elevate the space without over-editing it into something it’s not. The result? Photos that connect emotionally with buyers—and convert faster.

Clients praise the brand not just for its artistic eye, but for its reliability, quick turnaround times, and uncanny ability to make even the most overlooked spaces shine. It’s real estate marketing with a human touch.

As the industry evolves, visual storytelling has become the new currency—and Broken Crayon Photography is proving that authenticity sells. It’s not about perfect homes; it’s about real homes, seen through the lens of someone who knows every crack and corner has a place in the story.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For many in the real estate world, photography is just another checkbox in the listing process. But for me, founder of Broken Crayon Photography, it’s where the story begins.

I believe every space has a soul, and my job is to make sure potential buyers see it—not just in terms of size or layout, but how it feels to be there.

Broken Crayon Photography doesn’t stop at beautiful images. The brand offers a full suite of cutting-edge services tailored for modern real estate marketing, including:

Professional Interior & Exterior Photography – Clean, vibrant images that highlight a property’s best features and drive online engagement.

Aerial Drone Photography – FAA-compliant drone work that captures homes from stunning angles, showcasing land, location, and scale.

Matterport 3D Tours – Immersive virtual walk-throughs that let buyers explore every corner of a property from anywhere in the world.

Virtual Staging – Transforming empty or outdated spaces with realistic digital furniture and decor to help buyers envision the potential.

Short-Form Video Reels – Custom vertical videos (perfect for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) designed to grab attention and increase shares.

Property Measurements & Floor Plans – Accurate, professional measurements to help buyers understand flow, size, and layout.

Whether working with real estate agents, property managers, builders, or Airbnb hosts, Broken Crayon Photography provides the kind of content that sets listings apart—and gets results.

Why It Works
In a saturated market, listings with strong visuals sell faster and for more money. But what makes Broken Crayon Photography truly unique is the combination of technical skill, creative direction, and emotional storytelling.

I don’t just show what a property looks like, I show how it lives. That’s what helps people connect—and click.

It’s knowing that I’ve helped someone tell a story—whether that’s a family moving on, an agent building their brand, or a buyer finding the one.

Broken Crayon Photography is more than a media service—it’s a creative partner for those who understand that great visuals aren’t just decoration; they’re powerful tools that inspire action.

For anyone looking to elevate their listing, stand out online, and present their property in its best light—Broken Crayon Photography is ready to color outside the lines!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Seven years ago, I was focused on capturing human connection—smiles, emotion, and portraiture that told a story. But today, as the owner Broken Crayon Photography, I’m telling a different kind of story: one room, one listing, one property at a time.

I never expected to be here! I started with portraits—families, seniors, creative shoots. I loved the emotion and artistry of it. But over time, I felt the pull to do something different… something with structure, scale, and strategy.

That “something” turned out to be real estate photography—and it changed everything.

What began as a side experiment quickly turned into a full-fledged business. I began looking at architecture, lighting, and layout, learning to translate a home’s personality into compelling visuals that made buyers feel something.

I realized that homes have just as much character as people. And if I could bring that to life through the lens, I could help people sell faster, buy smarter, and connect more deeply with the spaces around them.

Today, Broken Crayon Photography is one of the busiest real estate media services in the region. Shooting up to six houses a day, I have built a streamlined, successful business that delivers high-quality results at the pace today’s market demands.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

When I first transitioned from portrait photography to real estate photography, I wasn’t entirely sure where it would take me. I loved working with people—capturing emotion, telling human stories—but something about real estate photography intrigued me. It felt structured, fast-paced, and full of creative potential. And once I shot my first listing, I was hooked.

Looking back now, after seven years and thousands of homes, I can honestly say the thing that helped me build my reputation in this market wasn’t just my photos—it was consistency, reliability, and the belief that every home deserves to be seen at its best.

I started small. One house here, one agent there. I didn’t have all the latest equipment or a team behind me—but I showed up. On time, every time. I delivered what I promised, I communicated clearly, and I treated every shoot like it mattered. Because it did.

I’ve always believed that your name is only as good as your last job. And in real estate, where things move fast and expectations are high, that mindset served me well. Agents knew they could count on me. That alone built trust—and in this industry, trust is everything.

As I grew, I started expanding my services—adding drone photography, Matterport 3D tours, video reels, virtual staging, and floor plans. But no matter how advanced the tools became, my approach stayed the same: deliver quality work, stay dependable, and never forget that you’re helping someone tell the story of a space that could become someone’s home.

I also made it a point to understand the business side of real estate. I listened to what agents needed: fast turnaround, clean and natural editing, angles that highlight the flow of a home, and visuals that grab attention in a crowded market. I adjusted my workflow to match their needs. I made their lives easier—and that built loyalty.

Today, I’m proud to say my husband David and I shoot and measure up to six homes a day. That didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of being consistent, professional, and passionate about my craft. I could not have succeeded in this business without my husband and business partner, David. He flies the drone, measures all the listings, and is my steady place—grounded, loving, and effortlessly easygoing. No matter how hectic life gets, his calm presence reminds me to slow down and breathe. He’s the kind of person who makes everyone feel at home just by being himself.

If there’s one thing I’d want clients—and future clients—to know, it’s that I don’t just take pictures of houses. I help properties come to life. I help listings stand out. And I genuinely care about helping my clients succeed.

That’s what built my reputation. And that’s what will keep me going, house after house.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brokencrayonphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokencrayonphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokencrayonphotography

Image Credits

Teresa Hayter, Broken Crayon Photography, LLC