About
The story behind Finlay Films
I'm David Finlay. I moved from Ireland to New York in 2014 and started Finlay Films in 2019. What began as one photographer with a camera is now a full real estate media studio working with agents and teams across the city.
Real estate, everywhere
This work has taken me further than I expected. I've shot listings and property films in 10 countries and counting, from New York brownstones to homes in Italy, Costa Rica, and back home in Ireland. I'm always looking for the next place to work.
Built for New York agents
Most of my work now comes from agents who came back or sent a referral. The studio is built around what a busy NYC agent actually needs: quick booking, fast delivery, and media that makes a listing stand out in a crowded market.
Why NYC agents work with us
- One point of contact
- David runs every shoot himself. Nothing gets lost in a handoff between a booker, a shooter, and an editor.
- Fast turnaround
- Photos back the next day, video within days, all finished by a dedicated editing team.
- FAA-certified drone
- Legal aerial coverage flown under Part 107, with airspace authorization filed before the shoot.
- Everything under one roof
- Photo, video, drone, floor plans, 3D tours, and listing sites from one studio, on one invoice.
- Media that markets you
- Agent-forward video and branding content, not just wide shots of empty rooms.
Shane Boyle
The Boyle Team, Compass
Before working with David, my property videos didn't really exist. Now I don't need to worry about the standard of production — I know exactly what I'm getting every time. Since 2020, having that level of video exposure has transformed my business and my career. I'd recommend David to anybody who wants to take their business to the next level.
Marc Richter
Commerce Realty Group
We've worked with David for real estate photos and as well as videos of properties and our brand. He's a true professional and the quality of his work is outstanding! Highly recommended!
Luke Whittle
Howard Hanna RE Agent
I used to have a videographer/photographer I thought was the best. He left the city and I was honestly worried to find a replacement. I'm happy to say David is an excellent upgrade who takes great pride in his work, he's polite, good with my clients, forward thinking, a perfectionist, a professional and a great person that is a pleasure to be able to collaborate with.
Edited by hand
Every photo is edited by hand by a professional retoucher, not an AI filter or auto-enhance. The one exception is virtual staging and virtual edits. That is a service you specifically ask for, it is always disclosed as virtually staged, and a real editor still finishes every image.
How I work
I care about the experience as much as the footage. Clear communication, on time, no surprises on the invoice.