Professional real estate media is no longer a luxury—it’s the standard. Here’s why pro media is worth it and where NEPA is investing. Across Northeastern Pennsylvania, agents and homeowners alike are recognizing that quality photography, drone footage, and video are what set listings apart. We pulled our shoot data to find out which NEPA towns are leading the charge, which days agents prefer to schedule, and what types of media are trending.
Here’s what we found.
The Top 5 Towns for Professional Media
When we broke down our shoots by location, five towns clearly rose to the top. These communities account for a significant share of all professional real estate media in our coverage area.
Top 5 Towns for Professional Media
Share of total shoots in Northeastern Pennsylvania
1. Sayre — 14.23%
Sayre leads the pack by a wide margin. With Guthrie’s regional medical center anchoring the local economy and a steady housing market, agents here consistently invest in professional media to make their listings stand out. See real estate photography cost in PA.
2. Waverly — 7.87%
Just across the New York border, Waverly’s real estate market benefits from its proximity to Sayre and Athens. Agents listing in Waverly understand that professional photography helps attract buyers from both states.
3. Towanda — 7.49%
As the Bradford County seat, Towanda has a healthy mix of historic homes, newer builds, and rural properties. The variety of listing types makes professional media especially valuable—buyers want to see what they’re getting before making the drive.
4. Athens — 4.49%
Athens sits right along the Susquehanna River and shares a market with Sayre and Waverly. Agents here are tapping into professional media to compete in this active tri-town corridor.
5. Ulster — 4.12%
Rounding out the top five, Ulster’s rural charm and affordable housing attract buyers looking for space. Drone photography is particularly popular here, where lot size and land features are key selling points.
Most Popular Day for Shoots
Scheduling matters. We looked at which days of the week agents book their shoots and found the distribution is more balanced than you might think—but a few days clearly lead.
Most Popular Day for Shoots
Distribution of shoot days across the week
Tuesday takes the top spot at 17.91%, narrowly edging out Monday at 16.79%. Midweek days (Monday through Wednesday) collectively account for about half of all shoots—likely because agents want photos ready for weekend open houses and new listing launches.
Weekends still see activity, but at a lower rate. Saturday comes in at 11.94% and Sunday at 10.07%. This makes sense: many agents prefer to keep weekends open for showings and open houses rather than scheduling photo shoots.
The takeaway for agents: If you want the most scheduling flexibility, consider booking your shoots on Thursday or Friday when demand is lighter. You’ll still have your media ready for the weekend push.
Other Notable Trends
Beyond location and timing, three trends jumped out of our data that paint a picture of where professional real estate media is heading in NEPA.
Other Notable Trends
Key insights from our NEPA shoot data
More than two-thirds of shoots feature aerial footage — drone is the new standard.
Three out of four shoots are for homes — the rest are land and vacant lots.
Nearly a third of shoots add video — expect this to grow drastically in 2026.
Drone Photography Is the Norm — 68.66%
More than two-thirds of all our shoots include aerial drone footage. This isn’t surprising—NEPA’s landscapes, lot sizes, and rural settings make drone photography a no-brainer. Buyers want to see the full picture, and nothing delivers that like an aerial perspective. If you’re not including drone shots in your listings, you’re leaving a major competitive advantage on the table.
Residential Homes Dominate — 75.75%
About three out of four shoots are for residential homes, while the remaining 24.25% are for land and vacant lots. The land and lot segment is notable though—it shows that professional media isn’t just for houses. Agents selling raw land are increasingly using property outline photos and drone footage to help buyers visualize boundaries, terrain, and access points.
Video Is Growing — 29.10%
Nearly a third of shoots now include video, and we expect this number to change drastically in 2026. Video walkthroughs, social media reels, and cinematic property tours are becoming standard expectations from both sellers and buyers. Agents who adopt video early will have a significant edge as this trend accelerates. If you haven’t tried adding video to your listings yet, now is the time to start.
What This Means for NEPA Agents
The data tells a clear story: agents across Northeastern Pennsylvania are investing in professional media, and the ones doing it consistently are concentrated in the most active markets. Whether you’re listing in Sayre, Towanda, or anywhere in between, here’s what to take away:
- Professional photography is baseline. If you’re still using phone photos, you’re behind.
- Drone footage is expected. Nearly 7 in 10 shoots include aerials—buyers in NEPA want to see the full property and surroundings.
- Video is the next frontier. At 29% and climbing, video is where the biggest opportunity lies heading into this year.
- Schedule smart. Midweek shoots are most popular, but Thursday and Friday offer more flexibility.
Ready to Level Up Your Listings?
If you’re an agent in NEPA looking to stand out with professional photography, drone footage, or video, we’d love to work with you. Check out our services or submit your next order today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this data cover all of NEPA? This data reflects shoots completed by Higleys Media Group across our service area in Northeastern Pennsylvania, primarily Bradford, Tioga, and surrounding counties.
Why is Sayre so far ahead of the other towns? Sayre has a combination of an active real estate market, a strong local economy anchored by Guthrie, and agents who consistently prioritize professional media for their listings.
What types of drone shots do you offer? We offer standard aerial photos, elevated angles, and full property flyover videos. Check out our drone photography service page for details.
How do I add video to my shoot? Just select the video add-on when you place your order. We’ll capture a walkthrough-style video during your scheduled shoot.
Will you publish updated data later this year? We plan to revisit these numbers periodically. As video adoption grows and our coverage area expands, we’ll share updated insights with the community.
