At the beginning of the year I made a decision. It was a decision based on our current economic situation. A decision that I was encouraged NOT to make. I'm glad I did though.

That decision was to restructure my packages and prices and include a 10 image package I like to call "mls express", for realtors who want great photos, but don't want to pay much for them.

February and March were busier than the previous year, but April has more than doubled! I've had so many realtors comment on what I've done. They truly appreciate it. I think it's mostly the fact that I've acknowledged that there is trouble with the economy and I've tried in my own way to do something to help them. I want them to succeed, because ultimately, their success is my success.

With this move, I feel like I've become one with them, and we're on the same team. I'm not trying to take them for every last penny. I'm just trying to help them generate more interest in the properties they sell, so they will sell quicker. I provide an honest, valuable service at reasonable prices.

As a real estate/interior photographer, it's my job to showcase the homes I've been asked to photograph. That means; show the size, the spatial relationship to other parts of the home, the colours and lighting in the home and the layout. I'm able to accomplish that with my experience, my equipment, the latest technology and passion for my profession.  

Many of the realtors I work with like to take their own pictures first. Sometimes they can make it to a property before I can get there and sometimes.... they just like to take their own pictures.... not quite sure why? 

I recently saw some pictures one of my regular clients took prior to me getting there. He did the best he could with his point and shoot camera.

I went in and did what I usually do and he loved the results. I later asked if he'd mind if I used his photos as a comparison between quick point and shoot pictures vs. professional images. ( I'm always trying to find ways to convince realtors of the importance and value in professional photography.)

He agreed! Yay!

Here are our results

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

So, which shots would catch your attention as a buyer?

Have a great day!

Linda

I've recently created a new marketing strategy in light of these tough times. I sent out some thoughts and new ideas to my local realtors in the form of a snail-mail deliverd letter, personally addressed to each and every one.

Here is the letter;

Our uncertain economy combined with the current real estate market calls for a proactive marketing approach. This is the time when you and your listings need to outshine the rest. It's time to stand out and get noticed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               First Impression Photos is the first step to achieving that goal. For 2009 I've streamlined the list of services & prices to help you get off to a great year selling real estate. I want you to succeed, because ultimately, your success is my success.

Photographs are always the first element that connects with the buyer. It's the handshake ... the first impression. It's the one thing that cuts through the visual clutter to capture the buyer's attention. Everything in your marketing campaign relies on and revolves around the quantity and quality of the photographs.

 Now, it's more affordable and easier than ever to capture the attention of prospective buyers and sellers with the new "mls express" package. You can be guaranteed to have 10 of the most appealing, eye catching, creative photos of your listing  for as little as $89.

First Impression specializes in creating dramatic photographs for real estate professionals who recognize the importance and value in professional photography.  What makes First Impression's photos different? Experience, an artistic eye, the use of innovative products and professional equipment, but most of all - passion. By creating and delivering high-quality photographs and services, I whole heartedly believe I provide an essential and irreplaceable value to my customers.

My belief is in the power of creating an identity for yourself, and the credibility it brings to you, to your image & to your business.

My passion is creating images that evoke emotion, thought and identity.

My dedication is to quality, service and you. 

Call today and get your marketing dollars working for you!

Linda

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Where you need me, when you need me.

Now that the busy holiday season is over I can concentrate on business again. My goal this year is to really put myself out there! I want to reach all the people in my area that have no idea who I am and what I do, and make Linda Sabiston of First Impression Photos a house-sold name!

I have created a gorgeous glossy brochure with just enough of my high quality images to make people want to see more,  as well as some well thought out wording to grab even the most sceptical. I've also streamlined my services and prices.

I'm also going to reach beyond realtors to hotels, business', builders, developers, architects, designers etc...

These shots are for the builders of this home. They were so pleased they'd like me to do a few more of their custom builds.

I wish you all the best in 2009.

Oh how I wish I had lots and lots of money!

I'd have a house on every corner of the Sunshine Coast! I just shot a gorgeous home in Gibsons yesterday. I could easily see my family living there. I honestly don't know why it hasn't sold yet.

I created a single property web site and I hope this will do the trick for these folks! Either that or I pray to the lottery gods!!!

www.1219sunnyside.com

Enjoy!

There's just no stopping the houses coming on the market! Too bad sales aren't going as quickly. Things are sure to pick up ...  as soon as the weather improves!

Here are some recent single property websites I've been working on....

www.4854eagleview.com

www.5231sunshinecoasthighway.com

Keep em coming!

There's a saying out there that goes something like this...."Just because you own a Nikon, doesn't make you a photographer".

I am passionate about the images I take. I spend a great deal of time editing them and making them as perfect as I can. I have been using a Panasonic FZ50 with a wide angle converter for the past year. And although it's a great camera, it has a few flaws that have always got under my skin. So, I've been saving my pennies and I recently bought myself a new camera...a Nikon coincidentally.

I bought a Nikon D40 with a Sigma 10- 20mm lens and a Nikon SB600 flash. I may pursue multiple flashes in the future, but for now, I'm thrilled with the results I getting with this set up.

I notice a huge difference in the quality of the final image, which will result in less time at the computer post processing.

I have already received incredible feedback from the 5 shoots I've done with the new gear. I'll stick with it!

I love quotes...but I can never seem to come up with good ones of my own! But I've found one that suites my business to a T. I'm sure others could use it too, and boy, is it true!

Have a great day!

Linda

When you've got properties with to die for views, it's important to show them off. Most point and shoot cameras just won't do it for you. The way the view shows through a window has many determining factors. The sun, the cleanliness of the window, the haze outside, the ocean or lake. That's why it's important to invest in professional photos when you've got a property that has to outshine the rest.

The following pictures are three different houses.

I've recently been doing a lot of virtual tours and slideshows. Word is getting out about me and I think realtors are realizing the value and importance of quality images. Not only that, but by having a virtual tour or more than a handful of images, we can actually reduce our carbon footprint on this earth of ours.

Imaging if you will, searching for a property where I live. If you don't already live on the Sunshine Coast, you have to take a ferry to get here, and you are more than likely driving on. If you're not, your realtor may pick you up in his or her car at the terminal. Then you'll drive from house to house searching for that one house that makes you say, "THIS IS IT!" After a day of driving around, you drive back to the ferry terminal, and back to your home, wherever that may be. My family did this routine 5 times before we found the "one". That's a lot of driving ... and a lot of carbon footprint! 

Lets talk about money now. Ferry fare for a family of 4 in a car to come to the Sunshine Coast = Aprox. $83. Then you need gas in that car = you'll probably put at least $30 in the tank at $1.25 litre. You'll also need to eat while your out, lunch maybe even dinner = another $40 or more. And time, how much time goes into house hunting? Travel time, time in each house, time at the realtors office, time on the phone.

If each and every home listed had a virtual tour or 20 or so quality images, people could view these from the comfort of their own homes, saving money, time and the environment. They can evaluate the ones that will and will not work for them and only view the ones that peak their interest. Not to mention, this is a time saver for sellers too. The stress of trying to keep a busy household spotless will become less, making them happier! And happy clients is what we are all striving for!

There is no limitation to the homes that should have quality imaging done. Last week I did a 2.2 million dollar home; http://www.12640kent.com/  Yesterday I did a VT on a mobile home; http://tinyurl.com/3ohybo
 

 There are no limits! Encourage everyone you know to at least try a virtual tour or property website....do it for the earth!

 Thanks for reading,

Linda