Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Marlowe.
Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was a full time Worship & Media pastor for 15 years and have a background before that in audio production and marketing/graphic design and started feeling a call away from that ministry position a few years ago but I didn’t know what to transition into. My wife is a realtor and one day I had the idea of maybe taking photos of homes and editing them but I knew nothing about that type of business, so I asked my wife. When she told me what her photographer does, I literally said “I teach 16 year old volunteers to do that at church all the time”. So I started researching and learning from someone online about how to do real estate photography because it is completely different than regular photography. I started reaching out to people and telling them my story and agents gave me a chance and the rest is history. I now do this full time, make a decent living, but the best part is I have the freedom and ability to control my own schedule and I don’t even edit my own photos, I outsource them so I can spend more time with my wife and family. It took awhile for me to realize family is more important than a career or ministry and this business actually allows for that.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The first year was by far the hardest. I actually spent more time reaching out to agents, getting rejected or ignored and ended up taking a loss financially that year. It did allow me more time to be around my family to make up for lost time and also time for myself to go fishing which I love to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do Real Estate Media, which means real estate agents employ me to take photos and videos of homes that are being listed to go on the market to sell. I also am a licensed drone photographer and do 3D tours as well.
Because I do not market my services, people come to me just from word of mouth, agents tell me they choose me because my work is amazing and affordable compared to other photographers. I do that on purpose. I know what my competitors are charging for the same type of quality, so I give exceptional service, next day delivery and the cherry on top is I give a free 2D floor plan on all my packages, which can save the agent up to $75+ just by choosing me.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
A few things I had no idea about was how hot you get while taking photos. I actually wear a cooling shirt now because it gets so hot moving around peoples homes taking photos and videos. The other thing I never considered is because I’m always on the road I end up eating out a lot. I know it’s bad for you, but sometimes I only have 30 minutes to get across town for another job, so I have to eat and drive.
If you’re starting out in this business, make sure you have some sort of income to keep you going in the slow season. Luckily for me I was financially able to make it through the first year even at a loss, but if you are not financially able, I would not quit your full time job to do this because that first year can break you. You have to be willing to push through and have some sort of income in the slow season.
Pricing:
- Basic Package (Photos + Floor Plan) – $200
- Plus Package (Photos + Floor Plan + Walkthrough Video + Drone) = $500
- Pro Package (Photos + Floor Plan + Cinematic Video + Drone + Virtual Twilight) = $800
- Social Media Video = $250
- Other pricing at www.Marlowe.Media
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marlowe.media
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/marlowemediaphotos
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/marlowemediaphotos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarloweMediaPhotos
