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Are you using the right photos for your client?

This week I staged a luxury home in Kiawah Island and unfortunately finished after it was getting dark, leaving me with less than fabulous photos. Going back to get new photos wasn't an easy feat, however. My office is over 1.5 hrs away, the community is gated and gaining entrance isn't easy. So, why did I work so hard to get back today - spending too much of my day in a car for a 20 minute photo shoot?

So... here is what happened when I went back today...

Had I decided not to spend the time to get new photos I would not choose to use any of these for my portfolio - one of the primary sources of my new jobs. I also would not have been doing justice to my clients who use my after photos as their MLS photos most of the time. Using only the darker photos, the home is not inspiring. Sure, you can see there are windows but you cannot see how stunning the light and views are through them....

Sometimes, even though it is inconvenient, it is important to realize what our objectives are - to sell the home. Photos go a long way to this end.... keeping both the agent and seller happy with my work is also a benefit!

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First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign is a nationally award winning company owned and operated in Summerville, SC a suburb of Charleston, SC. We provide high quality staging for both occupied and vacant homes in the greater surrounding areas and beyond! For more information please visit, www.WeStageSC.com. If you are interested in learning about making Home Staging your profession, please visit, www.StagingAndRedesign.com for more information.

Posted by Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.RedesigningCharleston.com on 10/09/2009 06:45 PM

Comments (27)

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Originally posted at: Staging And Redesign - My View of the Industry: Are you using the right photos for your client?

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27 Comments on Are you using the right photos for your client?

OCT

Hi Melissa - I believe it was worth the effort, and usually is for most things - If you feel like what you have done could be better, it usually will be worth the effort to do a better job, no matter what it is. The "little bit better" can mean a big difference in the results your client achieves, and you will feel better for having presented your best efforts. Good post and nice illustrations.

You made the right call in going back and re-taking the pictures. The floors just glimmer in the sunlight and the outside view looks fantastic.

You hit it right Melissa. I like the newer photos you took. Nice shots.. Good photos. 100% SOLD!

Good luck and success.

jonelle simons

There are a number of people who would have used Photoshop to put the a fake view in the windows. Kudos for you for going back to take new photos. I have a new listing and I realized after I got home tonight that some of the photos are a bit fuzzy. So I'll be back in the morning to retake some photos.

I have pictures I will never use because I couldn't return...your effort was well worth it. What a difference!

Melissa you did a great job with those daylight shots. I found that it can be very difficult to get the views without over exposure from the light outside and the appearance that an atomic bomb has gone off. 1.5 hours plus the other issues is a major deal. The agent is lucky that he/she is dealing with you.

Melissa - More proof of your professionalism and commitment to great service! Nice job.

Oh so much better! Photos taken inside a house at night make a house seem cold, dark and unfriendly. Especially with nice greenery and views outside, daylight is necessary to make it look appealing.

Let there be light-it looks 1,000 times better! Your work is lovely! You are a true professional Melissa.

Melissa - I couldn't agree more! After looking at both sets of photo's, I am definitely more drawn to the second set of photos. They have a more soft, homey feeling - and OMG are those hardwood floors gleaming!!

OCT

Hi Melissa!

What a difference some lighting can make, eh? I think every stager encounters the same prolem every now and then. I do not offer listing photography yet, so what I do is take another set of pictures when I destage, whcih always happens at mid day/afternoon.

Question: are these pictures taken with a wide lens?

Monica

The rooms actually look larger in the daylight photos as the view becomes part of the room. Very nice photos Melissa.

Certainly daylight obviates the need for any rug in the Master Bedroom... the daylight creates the pattern and block shapes on the floor the rugs would have. So, one might say that daylight photos actually save money on the staging budget overall!! <grin>

That's Kiawah eh? I thought it was all big-a~~ houses on the ocean and waterways...<sigh> It was always sold to me as a Southern Nantucket!

What a difference! In the "night shots" the rooms might as well have been in a submarine.

I actually like the indoor lighting of the built-ins and sitting area in the "evening" picture as it looks very dramatic. But the day light shot makes me want to sit in the nook and read a book - which is what is going to sell the house!

Great job Mellisa: I will keep that tip in bin #9!

My Photography really needs some work along with a better quality camera............all in good time right?

Regards; Kimberley

OCT

Melissa - great post. Good photos do make a huge difference. Going back a second time is what sets you apart.

Great examples on how important GREAT photos can be.

Kathy

The idffference is like night and day. It was worth the drive.

Juliet - Kiawah has all kinds of homes - many were built in the 70s (like this one) and look like it from the outside. There are others that are exactly what you describe. Seabrook is a bit more modern and 'Nantucket' feeling than Kiawah in my experience, however.

Wendy - Submarine! now that would have made for some great views... lol!

Kimberly - my camera is a Nikon Coolpix P50 - runs about $150. It's not expensive and takes a pretty nice photo (wide angle)

Monica - yes, it is a wide angle camera, see above for kind.

Thank you everyone else for the wonderful comments!!

Melissa - you are right. They ought to include a class in photography when giving staging courses because it really is that important.

OCT

The photos with all that sunlight - WOW. It is like the rooms had a fresh coat of paint or a super cleaning. The floors just sparkle and the eye is drawn to the outside. The second set of photos really do focus the features of the house. Great job.

Melissa, you are right that good photos are important to both us stagers for securing new work, and for selling the property. Have you ever considered using a professional photographer? Using multiple strobes or blending multiple exposures would make an even bigger difference in seeing a clearer view outside, and also appreciating more detail inside. Food for thought.

Image by GreenApple Staging & Images

Beautiful work ... lovely photos.

Great photos and great topic. As fall and winter approach, especially up here in the northwest, we typically finish staging once the sun has gone down. We build into our plan to photograph the property the next day when there is light (or gloomy light like today) to get better results. It really makes all the difference.

OCT

You did the right thing - evening photos always look uncomfortable and the photos are what buyers use to cull homes when they search. Good post and topic!

OCT

That commute back was totally worth it. The "after" photos are a permanent advertisement for your services. Your 2nd set of "afters" are beautiful....congratulations.

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