Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hawley.
Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Harber Media actually started in 2019—but not how most people expect. Back then, I was experimenting with vlog-style YouTube videos, mostly just having fun with storytelling and video editing. It wasn’t a business yet, just a creative outlet. But when the world shut down in 2020, I found myself asking: “What now?”
I’d had my real estate license since 2010, and after more than a decade of helping clients buy and sell homes, I knew how critical visuals were—especially in a world that had suddenly gone 100% online. So I made the pivot. I took what I knew about content creation and combined it with what I’d lived as an agent—and Harber Media became a real estate media company almost overnight.
But I never set out to be just another real estate photographer. I’d hired plenty of them myself over the years. Some were talented, sure, but too many treated the job like a transaction. I wanted Harber Media to feel different. I wanted agents to feel like they had a partner—someone who understood what it’s like to be up late writing a listing description or scrambling to meet a seller’s deadline.
Today, we’ve grown into a full-service real estate media consultancy serving top agents across Southern California. We offer everything from HDR photography and cinematic video to Matterport tours and on-camera coaching. But our real focus hasn’t changed—we’re here to make great agents look even better and take one more thing off their plate.
Looking back, I think our edge has always been empathy. We don’t just understand real estate—we remember it. And that gives us a different kind of clarity about how to serve the people still in the trenches.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close—it’s been a bumpy ride with more lessons than I could’ve ever planned for.
When I first launched Harber Media as a real estate media company, I had no team, no systems, and no idea how much I didn’t know. I was the photographer, editor, scheduler, retoucher, customer service rep, and delivery driver—all rolled into one. I’d be answering client texts at 10pm while exporting photos in the background and trying to remember if I’d eaten that day.
The transition from creative hobbyist to real business was fast and, honestly, messy. I went from filming YouTube vlogs to photographing million-dollar homes—during a pandemic—trying to make it all look seamless on the outside. And of course, I ran into the usual growing pains: gear breaking mid-shoot, clients needing everything yesterday, and learning the hard way that “scaling” doesn’t mean working 16-hour days forever.
But the biggest challenge? Letting go. Handing off parts of the business so I could stop being the bottleneck. I had to trust others to uphold the same standard I hold myself to—and that’s not easy when your name and reputation are on the line.
Still, every struggle forced the business to evolve. It made our systems sharper, our service faster, and our mindset stronger. Harber Media wouldn’t be what it is without those early stumbles. They’re the reason we’ve become a company that agents trust—not just for beautiful visuals, but for being fast, responsive, and relentlessly committed to making their listings shine.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Harber Media?
Harber Media is a real estate media consultancy based in Southern California. We specialize in high-quality visuals that help top-performing agents win listings, market properties faster, and stand out in a crowded space. That includes everything from premium HDR photography and cinematic video to aerials, Matterport 3D tours, floor plans, and social media content.
But what we’re really known for isn’t just the deliverables—it’s the experience. Our clients don’t hire us to “take photos.” They hire us because they want a trusted marketing partner who understands real estate, moves fast, communicates clearly, and makes their lives easier.
We offer simple flat-rate pricing, 24-hour turnaround, and subscription plans for agents who want predictable marketing support. We’re also proud to include on-camera coaching for video shoots—because it’s not enough to have content, you need to show up in it with confidence and clarity. That’s where our background in both real estate and storytelling gives us an edge.
What sets us apart is that we see ourselves as an extension of the agent’s team. We don’t just show up and shoot—we ask questions, anticipate needs, and deliver work that aligns with their strategy. Our job isn’t just to make listings look good—it’s to make them look like pros.
The thing I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that we’ve built a reputation around being fast, thoughtful, and easy to work with. We believe people do business with people they like, and we’ve built our company on that principle.
Harber Media exists to make great agents unmistakable—and we take that responsibility seriously.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we’re going to see a major divide in the real estate media industry. On one side, you’ll have the race-to-the-bottom providers—cheap, fast, and fully commoditized. On the other, you’ll see a growing demand for consultative media partners who can help agents not just market listings, but actually build their brands.
The days of just snapping a few photos and calling it done are numbered. Agents who want to stand out—especially in competitive markets like Southern California—are going to need more: better storytelling, stronger video presence, and content that extends beyond the MLS. Think personal branding reels, listing teasers, client testimonials… all of it.
AI will absolutely play a bigger role—especially in editing workflows and templated video creation—but it won’t replace the need for strategy, taste, or service. If anything, AI will widen the gap between providers who are just checking boxes and those who are helping agents build equity in their name and reputation.
At Harber Media, we’re leaning into that future. Our goal isn’t to be the cheapest or the flashiest—it’s to be the most valuable. We’re positioning ourselves to grow alongside the agents who take their business seriously and understand that media isn’t an expense—it’s leverage.
Pricing:
- Photos starting at $225
- Videos starting at $325
- Social Media REELS starting at $125
- 3d Tours starting at $149
- Subscription plans starting at $174
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.harbermedia.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/harbermedia
Image Credits
Portrait credit to Wes & Alex
Property photos credit to Harber Media
