Upmarket: The Business of Real Estate Photography & Media

Reed and Mark recap their time in Cancun at the PMRE Retreat, but more importantly, what it actually felt like trying to run a business while being away from it. Between admin piling up, kids on spring break, and working remotely, they talk through the reality of not fully unplugging and the tension of being “away” but still very much in it. The conversation touches on the value of smaller rooms and conversations with other operators, along with new tech and ideas that stood out. They also break down the nuts and bolts of scaling that came up throughout the week and what other business owners are doing right now. The episode wraps with clear action items they’re bringing back into their own businesses after the trip.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and use the coupon code 50UP to get 50% off your first monthly subscription.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode, Reed sits down with Andrew Coleman and Katie Coleman of DX Media to talk about what actually goes into rebranding a growing real estate media company. They break down why they made the shift, what wasn’t working before, and how they approached redefining their brand as the business continues to scale. The conversation also dives into how DX Media has evolved over time, from early growth to building systems and a team that can support expansion. They share the challenges that come with scaling, what had to change internally, and how they’ve navigated that transition together. If you’re thinking about rebranding or growing your media business, this episode gives a real look at what that process actually takes.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and use the coupon code 50UP to get 50% off your first monthly subscription.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

This week is our 6th episode in our monthly Upmarket Mastermind series! Each month Reed sits down with a mastermind group of Real Estate Media Creators from around North America who are all at different stages of scaling their businesses. With the mastermind format, you'll be able to journey along with each company as they navigate the different times of year and always changing circumstances RE Media creators face. The Upmarket Mastermind consists of:Kelly Clark of Local Flavor Films in Atlanta, Georgia.Jenn Lueck of Jenn Lueck Photography in Prescott, Arizona.Reed Fish of Upmarket Media in Ventura, California.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.In this mastermind episode, Reed sits down with Kelly Clark and Jenn Lueck to talk through how Q1 is actually shaping up across their businesses. From booking trends and unexpected slowdowns to what’s gaining traction, this conversation goes beyond surface-level check-ins and into what’s really happening behind the scenes. We break down what’s working, where friction is showing up, and how each company is interpreting the market right now. The group also shares the adjustments they’re making and how they’re thinking about the difference between a normal slow season and something more structural. If you’re trying to get a pulse on the industry this year, this episode is a real-time snapshot of what operators are seeing right now.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and use the coupon code 50UP to get 50% off your first monthly subscription.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode, Reed sits down with Matty Fisher, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Pixlmob, to break down the current state of real estate media editing and where it’s heading next. As the founder of an editing marketplace, Matty has a unique view across hundreds of media companies, giving insight into trends most photographers don’t see. We talk about outsourcing, turnaround expectations, and how editing has shifted from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement. The conversation also dives into how AI and automation are starting to influence editing workflows and what that means for quality, speed, and pricing. If you’re trying to scale your media business or stay ahead of where the industry is going, this episode gives a clear look at what’s changing behind the scenes.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and use the coupon code 50UP to get 50% off your first monthly subscription.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode Reed sits down with Alex Coombs of Northern Spruce Media, to talk about the realities of leading and scaling a growing real estate media company. We discuss trusting your team, learning to delegate, and what leadership looks like once the business grows beyond just a few people. Alex also shares the emotional side of building something over many years and the gratitude that comes with seeing the journey unfold. We touch on the community that has formed around PMRE events and the Upmarket Pod, along with the friendships that come from this industry. Alex also talks about the work behind planning the Northern Spruce Summit Event, the effort it takes to bring the community together, and the challenges of running a business through slow seasons.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and use the coupon code 50UP to get 50% off your first monthly subscription.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode, Reed sits down with Nikki Bashor to talk about what it really looks like to grow inside a scaling real estate media company. Nikki shares how she went from a new shooter learning the ropes to a highly efficient operator handling hundreds of homes a year. We discuss staying motivated in a fast paced production environment and how confidence with clients, systems, and workflow develops over time. In the second half, we break down the gear evolution that supports that growth, from early camera setups to the tools that make professional shoots faster and more reliable today. If you’re curious what it takes to build a career shooting real estate, this episode pulls back the curtain.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode, Reed and Mark unpack the reality that agents can feel loyal until they switch photographers and how that pushes media companies into scarcity thinking. We break down the luxury conversation and whether marketing yourself as luxury is actually strategic or just reactive. We also discuss how to evaluate education investments through ROI instead of emotion and why not every opportunity aligns with your direction. From territory mindset traps to agent churn, we define what playing defense really looks like in this industry. Most importantly, we outline what it means to play offense by building systems, leaning into your strengths, and making confident long term decisions.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

This week is our 5th episode in our monthly Upmarket Mastermind series! Each month Reed sits down with a mastermind group of Real Estate Media Creators from around North America who are all at different stages of scaling their businesses. With the mastermind format, you'll be able to journey along with each company as they navigate the different times of year and always changing circumstances RE Media creators face. The Upmarket Mastermind consists of:Alex Coombs of Northern Spruce Media in Hamilton, Ontario.Kelly Clark of Local Flavor Films in Atlanta, Georgia.Jenn Lueck of Jenn Lueck Photography in Prescott, Arizona.Reed Fish of Upmarket Media in Ventura, California.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.In this mastermind episode, we explore a critical question: if you had to rebuild your real estate media company today, would you choose a premium model or a volume strategy? We unpack how the market has evolved, the positioning mistakes new companies are making, and how pricing, branding, hiring, and systems shape long-term scalability. The discussion moves into the tactical choices we’d make differently, including service offerings, team structure, and the essential tech stack needed to build efficiently from day one. We also share the hard truths behind burnout, early missteps, and operational challenges that influence which model is most sustainable. The episode closes with a strategy session for a solo operator at capacity, delivering clear guidance on scaling without sacrificing quality while debating which approach ultimately creates stronger business equity.The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

In this episode, Reed and Mark break down the operational reality of running a real estate media company when conditions are far from perfect. From rain weeks that compress revenue to training new hires during peak production and navigating a mid season switch to HDPhotoHub, we unpack what these challenges actually do to cash flow, team bandwidth, and client experience. We also speak candidly about leading a growing company while raising kids and managing the anxiety that surfaces when the industry slows down. This episode is not about highlight reels. It is about building systems, people, and revenue streams that can withstand imperfect weeks. Because the real goal is not perfection, it is resilience.Don't worry, they still end the show with their Action Items... things that any listener can do right now to help lay the foundation for scaling their Real Estate Media Business.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.If you would like to access Sam Benner's Action Plan PDF, give us a follow and send a DM to @upmarketpod. The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!

AI is everywhere in real estate right now, but most of the industry is talking about tools instead of listening to agents. In this episode, Reed and special guest Sam Benner break down what Realtors actually want from AI, from real efficiency gains to the fears around losing authenticity and trust. We unpack how agent priorities have shifted, where they’re really spending money, and why marketing and tech fatigue is very real in 2026. From regulation and compliance to video, portals, and brand consistency, this is a grounded look at what actually matters to working agents. This is an honest conversation about cutting through hype and focusing on what truly helps Realtors grow their business.Don't worry, they still end the show with their Action Items... things that any listener can do right now to help lay the foundation for scaling their Real Estate Media Business.Follow the pod on Instagram at @upmarketpod.If you would like to access Sam Benner's Action Plan PDF, give us a follow and send a DM to @upmarketpod. The Presenting Sponsor of Upmarket is Fotello, an AI media platform built to snap, upload, and deliver. Pricing starts at $12 per listing, with human revisions available within six hours. To get started, visit https://fotello.co/?via=upmarket and subscribe to begin using the platform. If you do not use the link, enter the code UPMARKET during signup.Another amazing sponsor is iGUIDE, which helps real estate professionals capture spaces fast and with industry-leading accuracy. Their PLANIX Pro camera delivers trusted measurements, with no subscriptions and priced per project. Options like iGUIDE Instant provide a clean 3D tour and interactive floor plan in minutes, starting at $7.99. Learn more at goiguide.com or @go_iguide.Another sponsor is HDPhotoHub, the all-in-one platform for ordering, scheduling, and delivering complete marketing kits, from video reels to print. With pay-per-listing pricing, transparent terms, and industry-leading integrations, HDPhotoHub helps you build the workflow you actually want. Visit HDPhotoHub.com and use code Upmarket to get your first 15 full deliveries free.Another amazing sponsor of Upmarket is SecondFloor, the fastest way to create a finished floor plan. It's so fast that you can deliver the finished floor plan while you are still on-site! Not only that, but you can get UNLIMITED floor plans for one low monthly fee. We love SecondFloor and you can go to secondfloorapp.com/upmarket and any new subscriber will get a one-month free trial.Our Action Items are sponsored by PixlCRM, where you can scale your real estate photography business through automation. It's an all-in-one business and marketing platform that complements your current delivery app. If you go to pixlcrm.com/upmarket you can get a 30-day risk-free trial!