FAQs.
What’s required for the trial job?
Your trial job can be done on any property. It is an important part of the onboarding process as it will allow us to give you feedback and ensure you are ready to take on a live job. We require approx. 20 photos in jpeg format
(including meta data) and a sketch floor plan. We do all the post-production, so you won’t need to worry about editing or enhancing your photos.
I’m applying for a photography job, why do I need to draw a floor plan too?
We work with thousands of Estate Agents all over the UK. Photos and a floor plan are required by them to put a property on the market. All we need from you is a very basic hand-drawn sketch, we take care of the professional drawing. More information can be found on our YouTube playlist.
What property do I use for the trial job?
For the trial job, you can use any property you have access to. Your own property, a friend or family member’s place or even a show home. We are not interested in the type of property or how clean it is. We are only looking at the quality of the photography.
How do I send you my trial job?
Please upload your photos and sketch floor plan to focaltransfer.com, using onboarding@focalagent.com as the recipient’s email address.
Can you provide any tips and tricks on property photography to help me with the trial job?
Yes we have some great tips on our YouTube channel. After we receive your trial job we’ll also provide feedback.
I’ve never drawn a floor plan before, can you provide any guidance?
Yes we have some great tips on our YouTube channel. After we receive your trial job we’ll also provide feedback.
I’ve never done 360° photography before, can you provide any guidance?
Yes, full training is provided. We’ll discuss this with you further into the application process as you don’t need to offer 360 to get started. Offering 360 too is a good way of increasing your order levels and we support anyone in the network who wishes to upskill.
What 360° camera do you recommend?
We recommend the Ricoh Theta Z1 as it creates great quality visuals and is much cheaper than many other bigger 360 cameras.
What equipment do I need?
DSLR or mirrorless system camera, 16-18mm wide angle lens or 35mm equivalent for APS-C camera bodies (approx. 16mm-18mm full frame or 10mm–12mm crop sensor), tripod, external flashgun, laser measurer, graph paper, pencil and rubber. A 360 camera is required if you want to offer 360 tours too but you can get started without this.
What insurances do I need?
We require you to have professional indemnity insurance with a minimum cover of £50,000 and public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £1,000,000.
What is a DBS check and how do I apply for one?
A DBS check (formerly CRB) contains details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
We require you to have a basic DBS check, you can apply for this on the governments website.
I’ve sent you my trial job but not heard back from you, did you receive it?
Rest assured your trial job has been received. We receive hundreds of applications every day from all over the UK so please bear with us as we work through them all.
How far will I be expected to travel?
All of your jobs will be local, unless otherwise agreed. We usually deem this to be within a 20 mile radius from your base although you are free to choose what local means to you.
Do you pay travel expenses?
We don’t pay travel expenses; we would never give you work outside a 20 mile radius from your home (unless otherwise agreed).
Do I have to drive?
No, you can use any method of transport you like.
How do I book in jobs?
You manage your own diary so it’s up to you to agree a convenient time and date with the keyholder for you to attend the property. This way you can book Focal work around your other work.
Award-winning photography.
We continually celebrate exceptional photography from the UK’s largest network of professional photographers.
FocalAgent’s monthly and annual National Property Photography Awards recognise the outstanding work of our network, who capture millions of standout photographs every year for our partner agents and their customers.