We recently connected with Sean Barrett and have shared our conversation below.
Sean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
That’s a great question, and it really gets to the heart of how I try to stand out in a pretty crowded field. While everyone’s striving for good photos, there are a few things I genuinely feel I do differently from the “industry standard”:
First and foremost, it’s about communication. I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: I make a real effort to work with my clients, not at or to them. This means actually listening to their needs, understanding their specific goals for a listing, and being truly available. Answering my phone, being dependable, and being proactive in addressing potential issues are huge. It’s easy to be the guy who just shows up when everything’s perfect, but when a project goes sideways – which they do – I’m the guy who works with them to resolve it, ensuring we both look good to the end customer. That level of collaborative problem-solving and open dialogue sets me apart because it builds trust and long-term relationships, which is crucial in a referral-based business.
Beyond just the photos themselves, I focus heavily on Google My Business optimization with data-rich photos. This isn’t just about uploading pretty pictures. I’m talking about strategically naming image files, adding relevant alt text, and even geotagging my photos where appropriate. This helps search engines like Google understand exactly what’s in the image and where it’s located, giving my clients’ listings and my own business more visibility in local searches. It’s a technical detail that many photographers might overlook, but it makes a real difference in online discoverability.
I also believe my commitment to staying bleeding-edge with technology, coupled with the practical know-how of how to use it for maximum impact, is a differentiator. It’s not just that I’m on my fifth camera or second drone; it’s how I integrate these tools seamlessly to provide a comprehensive visual package. When 3D tours went from obscure to essential, I was already there, not just offering them, but understanding how to capture and present them most effectively for virtual showings. This constant evolution is a core part of my service, ensuring clients always get the most current and impactful visual marketing tools available.
Finally, while my business is photography, I see myself as a visual marketing partner, not just a shutterbug. I understand the real estate process, the need for speed, and the pressure my agent clients are under. This means not only delivering high-quality images but also being efficient, understanding what makes a property appealing, and solving their problems beyond just taking a picture. My deep personal resilience, honed through past challenges and the daily grind of solo entrepreneurship, allows me to consistently deliver, even when the hours are long and the “glamour” is non-existent. That unwavering dependability and genuine partnership, especially when things get tough, is what I’m most proud of and what I believe truly sets my brand apart.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Alright, for those of you just getting to know me, here’s the full rundown on my journey and what my real estate photography business is all about, straight from me:
I’m a San Diego native, born and raised in Escondido in ’73. I went to Orange Glen High School, class of ’92, and was pretty typical, playing swimming and water polo. After high school, I headed up to Northern Arizona University, where I studied advertising, with a double minor in history and photography. A big turning point happened my sophomore year when I was hit by a car, seriously injuring my right leg. That meant two and a half years of physical therapy and three surgeries, which was a huge challenge, but I pushed through it.
After graduating, I dipped my toes into the corporate world, first with Fastenal in Milwaukee, then managing a branch back in Scottsdale, Arizona. But eventually, I came home to San Diego and spent a good 13 years at Home Depot, mainly running their Pro Sales division.
Then came the retail shuffle – Sports Chalet, which eventually closed its doors, and then a couple of years as a manager at Dick’s Sporting Goods. It was while I was at Dick’s that a friend hit me up, knowing I did photography, and asked if I’d shoot their real estate listing. I said “yes,” and that one job changed everything. That listing had been sitting for sale for months, but after I shot it on a Tuesday, the agent had the photos by Thursday, multiple showings that weekend, and it was under contract by Monday. That was my “aha!” moment – time for a career change.
I spent about a year at Dick’s, putting together everything I thought I’d need for a successful real estate photography business – which, looking back, is kind of laughable how much more I’ve learned since! I officially left Dick’s on January 18, 2020. That was interesting timing, to say the least, because after taking a couple of weeks to get my head right – I was basically killing myself working two jobs – and setting up all the back-of-house stuff, like my new computer, websites, licenses, accounts, and insurance, the world basically shut down in March with the pandemic.
That was the first massive obstacle. Starting a very person-to-person, hands-on business literally a month before clients became inaccessible was an almost insurmountable mountain to climb. But, like many industries, we adapted. Virtual meetings, tours, and proper camera setups became the norm, and we just worked through it.
Beyond the pandemic, a constant challenge is staying current and cutting-edge. When I first started, a camera and flash were enough, and a drone was a bonus. Then 3D tours, which were pretty obscure, became a mainstream necessity for virtual home tours. Now, I’m on my fifth-generation camera, second-generation drone, and second-generation 3D cameras, constantly updating software and keeping up with social media and YouTube trends to see what my peers are doing.
As a single entrepreneur, a lot of the time I’m working by myself, and while not in an actual vacuum, it can definitely feel like I’m alone. The results of my actions aren’t always quick; sometimes it takes months or even a year to see the payoff from my work. Keeping the faith and staying the course has been crucial, and at times, incredibly hard. It’s about trusting the process and not throwing in the towel when hiccups and bumps in the road happen, not just deciding everything sucks and going back to corporate retail. Luckily, I’ve managed to keep going. This last year has been my most successful yet, and things that once felt insurmountable are now just part of the Tuesday routine – like when my $3,500 drone died recently, and the replacement process just took two weeks, no big deal. In the beginning, just getting a drone could take three months!
And honestly, if you’d asked me back in 2018 what my day would look like, I would have laughed. The reality is far from the glamorous perception of just showing up, clicking some pictures, and heading to a cool party. A shocking amount of my day is spent on batteries and media storage. What I call “click time” – actual photography – is probably less than 20% of my day, some weeks closer to 5%. The rest is all the back-of-the-house stuff: invoicing, chasing payments, customer calls, planning weekly activities, scheduling, dealing with customer complaints, and all the general customer interactions. For every hour I shoot, there’s one to three hours of editing, plus another hour for invoicing. The rest of my time is marketing, social media, and preparing for the next day. It’s not uncommon to be up at 1 or 2 in the morning and then back up at 6:30 or 7 to do it all over again.
So, what do I do, and what am I known for? At its core, I help real estate agents make their listings pop online. I provide top-tier photos, captivating drone shots for those essential aerial perspectives, and immersive 3D tours that let potential buyers experience a property virtually. I specialize in making every property look its absolute best, creating a visual story that grabs attention in a crowded market. Agents know me for being reliable, for consistently delivering high-quality results, and for making their listings professional and appealing.
What truly sets me apart is my approach: I work with, listen to, and talk with my clients, not at or to them. I’m always available, I answer my phone, and I’m dependable. It’s easy to be there when things are going great, but the real measure of my service is how I navigate problems. When a project goes sideways, I work through it with my clients, ensuring we both look good to their customer. That commitment to partnership, problem-solving, and clear communication is my bedrock. Beyond the tech – and I invest heavily in staying current – it’s this client-first work ethic and my understanding of the real estate market that truly makes the difference. I’m not just a photographer; I’m a visual marketing partner.
I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve built for consistent quality and dependability. When an agent calls me, they know they’re getting a professional without any unnecessary hassle. It’s that trust that means the most.
For potential clients, followers, or fans, I want you to know this: In today’s real estate game, amazing visuals aren’t a nice-to-have; they’re a must-have. My services offer a comprehensive visual marketing package designed to make listings stand out, draw more eyes, and sell quicker. Whether it’s stunning stills, breathtaking aerials, or interactive 3D tours, I’m focused on equipping agents with the best tools to succeed in this competitive environment. I’m here to help you showcase your properties in their absolute best light.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Launching my real estate photography business was a true trial by fire, especially when it kicked off literally a month before the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything upside down. This is a hands-on, people-focused industry, so losing direct access to clients felt like an impossible mountain to climb. But, like so many others, we adapted. Virtual meetings, tours, and innovative camera setups became the norm, and we just powered through it.
Beyond that initial shock, staying current and cutting-edge is a constant, ongoing battle. When I first started, a basic camera and flash did the trick, and a drone was a cool extra. Then, almost overnight, 3D tours went from a niche offering to an absolute necessity for virtual home viewings. Now, I’m on my fifth camera, second drone, and second 3D setup, constantly juggling new software and devouring social media and YouTube trends to keep pace with my peers.
Being a solo entrepreneur brings its own unique set of challenges. It often feels like I’m working in a vacuum, and the fruits of my labor aren’t always immediately obvious – sometimes it takes months, even a year, to see the real impact of my efforts. Keeping the faith and sticking to the path has been tough at times, especially when I hit those inevitable bumps in the road. It’s about resisting the urge to just throw in the towel and head back to the familiar corporate grind when frustrations mount. Thankfully, I’ve pushed through, and this past year has been my most successful yet. What once felt insurmountable now feels like just another Tuesday. For instance, when my $3,500 drone recently died, replacing it was a two-week process, no big deal. Compare that to the beginning, when just acquiring a drone could take three months!
Honestly, if you’d told me back in 2018 or 2019 what my day-to-day would actually look like, I would’ve laughed out loud. The amount of time I spend on things like batteries and media storage is shockingly high. My actual “click time”—the time spent taking photos—is probably less than 20% of my day, some weeks even closer to 5%. The rest is all back-of-house work: invoices, chasing payments, client calls, planning weekly schedules, and handling all sorts of customer interactions, good and bad. For every hour I spend shooting, there’s easily one to three hours of editing, plus another hour for back of house work. The remainder of my week is a blend of marketing, social media, and the general grind. The glamorous perception of just showing up, snapping some photos, and then heading off to a cool party? That’s not my reality. It’s more accurately waking up for a marketing session, heading to a shoot, then coming home to download, upload, and edit materials, grabbing some food, prepping for the next day, recharging gear, sending off deliverables, and then crashing late, only to be up again at 6 or 7 AM to repeat the cycle.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Launching my real estate photography business was a true trial by fire, especially when it kicked off literally a month before the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything upside down. This is a hands-on, people-focused industry, so losing direct access to clients felt like an impossible mountain to climb. But, like so many others, we adapted. Virtual meetings, tours, and innovative camera setups became the norm, and we just powered through it.
Beyond that initial shock, staying current and cutting-edge is a constant, ongoing battle. When I first started, a basic camera and flash did the trick, and a drone was a cool extra. Then, almost overnight, 3D tours went from a niche offering to an absolute necessity for virtual home viewings. Now, I’m on my fifth camera, second drone, and second 3D setup, constantly juggling new software and devouring social media and YouTube trends to keep pace with my peers.
Being a solo entrepreneur brings its own unique set of challenges. It often feels like I’m working in a vacuum, and the fruits of my labor aren’t always immediately obvious – sometimes it takes months, even a year, to see the real impact of my efforts. Keeping the faith and sticking to the path has been tough at times, especially when I hit those inevitable bumps in the road. It’s about resisting the urge to just throw in the towel and head back to the familiar corporate grind when frustrations mount. Thankfully, I’ve pushed through, and this past year has been my most successful yet. What once felt insurmountable now feels like just another Tuesday. For instance, when my $3,500 drone recently died, replacing it was a two-week process, no big deal. Compare that to the beginning, when just acquiring a drone could take three months!
Honestly, if you’d told me back in 2018 or 2019 what my day-to-day would actually look like, I would’ve laughed out loud. The amount of time I spend on things like batteries and media storage is shockingly high. My actual “click time”—the time spent taking photos—is probably less than 20% of my day, some weeks even closer to 5%. The rest is all back-of-house work: invoices, chasing payments, client calls, planning weekly schedules, and handling all sorts of customer interactions, good and bad. For every hour I spend shooting, there’s easily one to three hours of editing, plus another hour for invoicing. The remainder of my week is a blend of marketing, social media, and the general grind. The glamorous perception of just showing up, snapping some photos, and then heading off to a cool party? That’s not my reality. It’s more accurately waking up for a marketing session, heading to a shoot, then coming home to download, upload, and edit materials, grabbing some food, prepping for the next day, recharging gear, sending off deliverables, and then crashing late, only to be up again at 6 or 7 AM to repeat the cycle.
But here’s the thing, through all of it, it’s all worth it when a click turns into “the” photo. Be it the hero shot of a house that makes a listing pop, or capturing a critical moment in a construction project. Or maybe it’s the sheer freedom to chase my own work, like taking a photo at 2 AM, in the middle of the desert, shooting night skies just because I can. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seanbarrettphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanbarrettphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575237300578
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-barrett-8506aa51/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spb141414
Image Credits
Sean Barrett