If you have a camera and a computer, you’re ready to start your own real estate photography business! Here are 5 steps that can get you started with your business.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to take photos directly for the owner of a ‘for sale by owner’ property, or you may also be able to take photos for a local real estate agency. Do a search for “Real Estate in <Your city and state>” (for example, if you lived in Chicago, search for “Real estate in Chicago, IL.”) See what comes up and take a look at your competition. You can see where you might be able to find your niche. Maybe it’s commercial real estate, single family homes, or apartment complexes that you want to target.

Get out there! Imagine you’re trying to sell your own house or apartment and try taking photos. Go to your friends houses or neighbors and do the same. Compare the photos to those you see online, and try to emulate the photos that you would buy. Try taking photos at different times of the day, and especially focus on the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset – though it also depends on what direction the house is facing. Get feedback from friends and family and ask them to pretend they’re shopping for a house. Would the photos you took entice them to come to an open house?

In order to find your first customers, you should start with friends and family and tell them about your new venture. See if they have contacts that are trying to sell/rent any property. Start with lower rates to try and get your foot in the door and build up a portfolio.

Try advertising on Craigslist for free. Create your own website to promote your business and feature your portfolio. Search for local interest groups or forums related to your niche. Maybe your local newspaper has a real estate section on their website.

You will start small, but think big. Every contact you make can lead you to a potential customer. Be on the look out in your area for For Sale signs. See if the photography is lacking and offer your services. Use social networking tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with friends and potential customers.