East Idaho Real Estate Photog. Blog

Hi! ..don't know why it took me so long to find this group, but happy to be here.

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:58:43 -0700

Hello, my name is Susie and I am a Real Estate Photographer in Pocatello. No, there is not much of a market for this here right now, but eventually, there will be. Until then, I will soon be targeting Island Park, Jackson Hole and Sun Valley. I would love to trade a weekend in a vacation home with my family for Superior marketing photos of the property from me.

It is good to see the number of Real Estate Professionals on Active Rain is growing! I look forward to getting to know you all and hope to work with some of you real soon!

-Susie

The Professional Real Estate Photography Revolution is Coming to East Idaho

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:12:10 -0800

If you haven't visited Larry Lohrman's PFRE (Photography For Real Estate) Blog yet, I highly recommend it. There is a link in the side bar. But, you should know that associated with the PFRE Blog, there is a PFRE Group on Flickr where Professional Real Estate Photograhers meet and learn from one another. I have learned volumes from the great photographers over there. I have also taken online courses to learn how to effectively light interiors for photography. Most recently I flew to California for a hands-on workshop on Lighting Interiors for Real Estate Photography taught by some of the best in the craft.

The question has been asked thousands of times by hundreds of Real Estate Photographers : "How can we get Real Estate Agents to understand the need to hire someone specially trained in Real Estate Photography to best market their properties?"

Have you ever wondered why there are people who believe they can effectively sell their own homes without you (a licensed real estate agent)? You know you have the tools, the training and the expertise to sell homes better than Mr. FSBO. You expect sellers to use a licensed pro. to sell their property; why not use a trained pro. to photograph that property. Your sellers want you to hire me, they are just too bashful to say it! I know I have the tools, the training, enthusiasm, and expertise to help you market more effectively.
My tools: An expensive digital SLR camera that I have worked for several years to master, oodles of software programs for finishing photos, lights, reflectors, special lenses, tripods, diffusers... My training: Basic photography classes before I went digital, Online courses in "Perfect Exposure", "Problems in Lighting Interiors", as well as a portrait course, PFRE "Lighting Interiors" workshop in Santa Clarita, CA, and the constant learning I get from my friends at PFRE.
My Enthusiasm: Okay, I'm a little strange- I love homes. I made my realtor take me to nearly every home in our price range when I came to look for our new home here, even though I knew which one we wanted. It's a weird obsession...I also love photography, obviously.
My Expertise: Well, I already told you how I have learned about Real Estate Photography. I also have the skills to do with the photos what is needed, like resize, optimize for the MLS, and I make great slideshows!
...but I'll admit that doesn't make me an expert! I'll be honest with you; I need more experience. I do have a handful of real estate shoots under my belt, but need more. I also need lots more feedback from Realtors. I want to deliver superior real estate photos to you as fast as possible, and I want you to use them so we can find out what a difference Professional Real Estate Photos make in your marketing plan. Let me know how I can make the images best work for you!

Slideshows? I need a new place to host them!

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:37:38 -0700

I have been looking all afternoon for a new hosting site for slideshows. I was using Phanfare, and love it, but they are changing things and I won't be able to use them for my real estate photos.

I am not thrilled with the virtual tour companies I have seen. They charge an arm and a leg, have awful background music, and the quality is sub par. Smugmug almost makes the cut, but putting music in seems to be something of which I am not capable. Hate the quality of you tube and the like...

Who do you all use?

Thanks,

Susie

Agents, show me your BEST photo!

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:09:09 -0700

There is so much talk about bad mls photos and bad virtual tours, and I am super guilty of this.

Let's change the pace for this one. Let's have a little photo contest for the agents. The purpose of this is not to criticize or tell you what you need to change, it is just a contest to see who has a great MLS photo.

Rules: 1. You must be an agent without formal photography training (in-office classes are okay)

2. You MUST have taken the photo yourself

3. Others must not criticize the photo.

4. Photo (or a link) must be posted here by Nov. 1.

Prizes??? Hmm...still thinking about it.

Good luck,

Susie

Staged table settings..empty? ...Fake food run!

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:01:30 -0700

Hope this is okay....

I am, hopefully, going to Tai-pan in Salt Lake City (you stagers would LOOOVE it) this weekend. They have a lot of fake food. Every time I walk past that section of the store, I think, "this would be so great for staging!" I wish I could post photos of what they have, or that they had photos of it on their website, but, no such luck. I will tell you, they have fruits, veggies, seasonal fare, cake wedges, pastries, etc...and they look so good, my mouth waters, even though they are fake.

So, I thought I would ask you stagers if there is any fake food you have been longing for, and haven't found?

Chances are, they will have it. If you would like me to look, please post here and I will see what I can find.

Thanks,

Susie

Long time real estate photographers, do you use contracts? Would you, for a...

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:18:12 -0700

700 acre property? I am shooting a recreation property in a few, and am charging a fair (but relatively small) amount, because of the distance, etc... I think I should get a contract signed before I do the work.

Would you use a contract? Do you? Any suggestions on where to purchase a downloadable one, or download one free that isn't 4 pages long?

Thanks,

Susie

Thank you, thank you, Karen and all others!

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:31:57 -0700

I am a true wannabe stager. I have toyed with the idea (in one form or other) for about 6 years. I am still toying and have been eyeballing a training program, now that I have a bit more time and money than in previous years. I keep hearing about the rapidly increasing inquiries about the staging business and, I am sure it is a little nerve-wracking for some long-time stagers for various reasons.

Honestly, with all I have learned on AR (in only a few months) and from those of you willing to share your advice, secrects, and experiences, I almost feel that I could 'stage in the nude'. I do believe I need the training for the business side of it, however (not to mention the confidence). When/if I finally take the plunge, I feel like I have learned from the best!

Thank you thank you, for your generosity to the wannabes!

-Susie

Into which basket do you put your eggs?

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:02:24 -0700

The $1000 challenge post by Charles got me thinking...

I was mostly thinking of cosmetic changes for which I saw the need. Others concentrated on accessorizing the home to showcase its existing strong points.

Some suggested he should just hire a stager, and it would cost much less than $1000. However, if the stager's consult costs $200 and then tells the seller, "this is what you need to buy to update this house..." is it really going to be under $1000?

I was wondering, (being new) if I had a budget to stage a home, would I buy accessories I could reuse, or would I buy paint and new hardware- something that would stay in the home? I would certainly want to fix the flaws, but then would never establish an inventory...maybe I'm not stager material...

As I understand it, the seller buys the paint, hardware, etc, while they are paying the stager to consult with them. Or do you ever encounter an agent or seller who tells you, "Our budget is $1000; do what you can with it."?

P.S. be kind, no I am not a stager yet...still contemplating signing up for a course. This is probably course content..?

(I'd post this to 'newbies', but I keep getting an error message when I try to post there')

Hope this makes sense...

Thanks,

Susie

Do you ever do the dirty work?

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:40:54 -0700

Have you experienced stagers ever done the cleaning, painting, gardening....? Has anyone ever offered this as part of their service?

Maybe it's a silly question, but that kind of service would be more easily accepted in my rural area (where all the decor is country and the median home price is still under $130K) , than renting furniture and trying to paint all the dusty rose walls, replace the dk. green carpets....Plus I wonder if it would be a good way to slowly introduce formal staging?

Just curious,

-Susie

Have you ever...do you ever...do the dirty work?

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:57:47 -0700

When the staging bee first got into my bonnet, the idea was that I was going to clean, paint, landscape help, and make simple improvements to vacants.

I still think this kind of service would be much more welcome in our (new) rural area, where people love to shop at Wally's and the median price of a home is still under $200K. I also think it would be a way to slowly introduce staging. Of course, I would do photography.

Experienced stagers, have you ever "stooped so low" (he he) as to take on the cleaning, painting, etc, yourself?

Just curious....not even sure I am that desperate...

Thanks,

-Susie

Have you....would you...could you..?

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:44:40 -0700

(Preface: Though I have yet to stage a home (Except my own-kind of), I have given it mucho thought for several years, and I am on the verge of signing up for a formal training course)

When the staging bee first got into my bonnet 5+ years ago, my first plan was to clean/paint/lanscape clean-up/and simple improvements to vacants.

In my area, this kind of service would probably be more easily embraced than staging (we are 20 yrs. behind the times here, and very thrifty). I have thought it would be a way to slowly introduce some staging, and build relationships with realtors in the area. Of course, I would do the photography.

So, experienced stagers, have you ever done the cleaning/painting yourself? Do you shudder at the thought?

Thanks,

Susie

"Fanfare"=a spectacular public display; "Phanfare"=a spectacular way to display photos and video....

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:00:25 -0700

...to share with friends and family, or to showcase your listings!

I just signed up for a Phanfare subscription. I loved the free trial, and deciced I can't live without!

It's easy, great quality, and you can put in video as well as photos! It is also very affordable. Maybe I'm the last to hear about it..If you haven't, take a look at www.Phanfare .com

Here is a little sample I threw together in 3 minutes:

http://suzsnaps.phanfare.com/album/410693/567282#imageID=26214099

and this is a home slideshow I did:

http://suzsnaps.phanfare.com/album/379440#imageID=23854000

I used their music, but you can use your own.

(p.s. If you sign up, let them know suzsnaps sent you and get $7 off your year subscription!)

I hope this is okay to post here. I do not work for Phanfare; I just really like it!

Thanks,

Susie

A great way to show your "befores and afters" and your video/slide shows!

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:17:53 -0700

I just signed up for a Phanfare subscription. I loved the free trial, and deciced I can't live without!

It's easy, great quality, and you can use video as well as photos! It is also very affordable. Maybe I'm the last to hear about it, but if you haven't, take a look at Phanfare.com

Here is a little sample I threw together:

http://suzsnaps.phanfare.com/album/410693/567282#imageID=26214099

and this is a home slideshow I did:

http://suzsnaps.phanfare.com/album/379440#imageID=23854000

I used their music, but you can use your own.

(p.s. If you sign up, let them know suzsnaps sent you and get $7 off your year subscription!)

Oh, give me a home....

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:11:03 -0700

Where the buffalo roam.

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was gorgeous and the temperature was just right. We rented a cabin in Island Park, Idaho (25 mins. from the entrance to West Yellowstone). If you have never made the trip to this area, you NEED to! The Tetons and Jackson Hole are just south of Yellowstone and the country is mysterious and beautiful.

Emerald Pools....

Dramatic Falls....

A crystal clear pond of fresh spring water filled with the biggest trout you've ever seen...Big Springs (In Island Park, ID)...

And you can't miss Old Faithful!

Just wanted to share. Thanks for letting me.

-Susie

Is this possible...? Never mind...here's my slideshow.

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:43:50 -0700

Say I make my own slideshow, using my own software,...Is there a way to upload that to some site or have it hosted somewhere? (I understand there is flikr, and photobucket, etc, and then there are the Realty Slideshows for higher quality, but I want to use my own royalty free music, etc...)

Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Susie

Update:

I may have found a program that will do what I am looking for. Here is my own little slideshow:

http://suzsnaps.phanfare.com/album/379440#imageID=23854000

Thanks, Maureen, and here are my photos- brand new home (not decorated).

Susie L. ...Picture Book Acres Photography (Picture Book Acres Photography) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:47:56 -0700

I posted these on my blog and Maureen saw them. She suggested I post them here. Thanks for the compliments!

I am very new to the active rain community, so bear with me if this doesn't post as I hope it will. I am hoping to break into taking photos for area realtors, and maybe I'll throw in some staging...

These were taken with 12-24mm wide angle lens.
Though some argue that a wide angle may deceive buyers into thinking the home has gargantuan rooms, I really love to get so much detail in one photo.

The house at sunset is a favorite. I will have to go back and check the settings. I experimented for nearly half and hour with shutter speeds and aperture. Of course, I used a tripod. I also used a polarizing filter, which helps the sky stay blue. Minimal post processing- just sharpened, light and contrast adjustment. When I find the settings, I will post them. Thanks and I look forward to learning from you all!!!

*Total lack of staging here*...we have yet to get the right furniture for the house.

Of course there are still rooms needing to be photographed, and some of these should be re-done :)...
These will soon be put on a disk and given to the builder (they didn't take any photos!)
Thanks for looking.