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I am giving up and moving on!

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Home Stager with Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA

YES, I am giving up and moving on!

It's true -- and I am hoping it's for the best.  It is an expensive decision to say the least.

I have given up what's made so many memories, giving up on what is responsible for my huge home staging portfolio. 

YES, I have ditched my old Minolta camera from 2002 (Minolta doesn't even make cameras any more!) 

I just purchased  a new wide angle lens Camera SLR NIKON D5000.  I am moving on with my photography in order to showcase my HOME STAGING!

This camera has my name all over it, and I couldn't be more excited!  My photography classes start January 6th and I can hardly wait.

Yesterday I took a test drive at a home I am staging in Newnan, GA (South Atlanta).  Check this out:

This is a living room shot taken with my old Minolta:

Newnan home staged living room

Now, this following image is my first attempt with my new Nikon D5000 -- standing in the same position; not even using the wide angle lens.

Newnan home staged living room

 

Here is the dining room photo taken with the old Minolta

home staged dining in Newnan GA

 

Now, the dining room photo taken with my new Nikon D5000

Newnan home staged dining room

 

Without any touch ups, or even using the wide angle lens as of yet, I can see such an improvement in the natural light.  I have always appreciated the "crispness" of my Minolta, but the lighting has always been a struggle.

Okay -- in order to wrap up this post I need to give credit to two of my ActiveRain mentors that encouraged me to make this investment.  Seeing professional photos here on ActiveRain and also on the RESA site and  participating in competition's (RESA and others), told me it was time to consider an improved photo solution -- and I needed advice.

One of my mentors was Maureen Bray of Room Solutions who encouraged me positively to give my portfolio going forward the professional look needed for my Web site.  My other mentor who graciously took a lot of time to educate me on cameras and the advantages/disadvantages was Deena Cottingham of GreenApple Staging and Images.  If you haven't checked out these two Web sites; you should.  Their photo's are fantastic! Very talented ladies.

These two really motivated me and I am quite thankful!  If it wasn't for ActiveRain I would not even have known to seek their advice! 

Now I am going to be a stageaholic and a photoaholic!

 

Posted by

home staging finalist atlanta

 

 

Peachtree Home Staging The Experts in Atlanta Home Staging Diversity

How folks live in a home is their business, how folks present the home for sale is our business!

For tips on how to prepare your home for sale and information on staging a home in Atlanta, visit the web site of PEACHTREE HOME STAGING or call us at 770 595-8809.

Terrane Ridge, Peachtree City <> Marietta St., NW #1511, Atlanta, GA <> Preakness Dr., Roswell 

We do occupied and vacant home staging with professional perfection!

Peachtree Home Staging is a proud APPROVED AND ACCREDITED Business of the Greater Atlanta Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Georgia State President of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)

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Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

Edward and Cecia -- thx for the encouragement!

Hey Pat -- yep, those titles are important!  Thx for reading and commenting

Hi Kim!  glad the post was timely for you.  Good luck with the adventure.

hey there Lowcountry Home Tenders!  Glad you liked the title; I am hoping the D5000 will make a huge difference.

HI  TED!  I love it!  Yipee me!  

Oh Nancy!  I hope for you it comes TODAY!  It will be great!

 

 

Dec 07, 2009 05:29 AM
Kate Talarico
Kates Home Staging and Interior Design - Goshen, NY
RESA, Top Orange County Home Decorator & Stager

Karen,

I hope you enjoy your new camera.  I just ordered a Nikon myself two days ago, my current camera is very disappointing too.

Kate

Dec 07, 2009 10:59 AM
Laurie Calhoun
Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL
Seminole County FL Home Stager

You scared me, Karen! But now that I know you were talking cameras, I'm okay. Congratulations on the new toy/tool! The difference in the photos is remarkable -- you're going to have a blast with it!

Dec 07, 2009 12:13 PM
Welcome Home Staging & Furniture Rental
Valesca Bogard - Roseville, CA

You clever girl you!

Your title drew me in, and provided education. Have fun with the new lens'

Dec 07, 2009 04:32 PM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Congrats Karen!   I know just how you feel - I just upgraded my camera too.  In fact, I will be using it for the first time "officially" today!  Like you, I was inspired by the great photographs seen on AR.   Can't wait to see your new masterpieces.  :) 

Dec 07, 2009 08:28 PM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging

Hi Kathy!  Yes I am in LOVE!

Nancy and Anthea-- fun with new toys!  2010 has been my new toy year, camera, blackberry and a GPS.  I now feel fully armed! LOL

Hey Kim -- I have a lot of projects to show off with my new camera, so stay tuned! 

Oh Karen O!  I'd have to be dragged out of this business by my toes.  I LOVE what I do!

Maureen thx so much for pushing me to the next level! 

And, Yes, Virginia,  GROWN UP TOYS!

Dec 07, 2009 09:32 PM
Ryan Dressel
Stage Right Design, Inc. - Roseville, CA
Sacramento Home Staging

You are hilarious!!  At first, I thought you were quitting staging- freaked me out a bit!!  You're soooo good at it....not too mention good at getting people to read your blogs...you little sneak!!  Fab photos Karen!!!

Dec 08, 2009 03:55 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I am so excited for you!  Enjoy the class, and make sure to share some of what you learn with the rest of us!

Dec 08, 2009 10:52 AM
Jen Bowman
Keller Williams on the Water - Holmes Beach, FL
Realtor - Anna Maria Island & Bradenton FL

Karen, I started to read this and got worried. Thankfully, it's just the camera moving on. By the way, I was in your neck of the woods on Saturday, at Sun City Peachtree showing homes.

Dec 08, 2009 11:46 PM
Deena Cottingham
GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography - Calgary, AB
Home Stager & Photographer

Karen, I'm so happy for you! You did it . . . you took the plunge and got the DSLR! I'm so proud of you for going out of your comfort zone, and you're taking classes and everything. You'll love how this will show off your staging work so much better!

Oh, and I hardly went out of my way. Nothing you haven't done already for me!

Can't wait to see more photos!

Dec 09, 2009 02:09 PM
Lina OL
Deluxe Home Staging & Design - Northbrook, IL
Oh i'm so excited for you! This is awsome :) I can't wait to buy a new camera! Post more pics up!
Dec 10, 2009 06:37 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Karen the photos look awesome! Great photos certainly are important in your business.

Dec 14, 2009 12:50 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Karen I can't believe that I missed this post.  I was searching for more info. on the Nikon D5000, due to your most current post, and up this popped.  To think that I could have gotten excited over 10 days ago.  I do have to justify my purchase with some research but I think that it's coming soon. 

Did your classes come with the camera purchase or ???

Dec 18, 2009 11:23 AM
Tim Tanz
Platinum Realty - Saint Louis, MO
St Louis Real Estate

Great photos.  I'll have to check into this camera.  I am not happy with mine.  It does decent wide angle, but the exposure leaves lots to be desired (Kodak Easyshare V705).

Dec 28, 2009 02:19 AM
Rod Datoc
www.datocdesign.com - Surrey, BC

The D5000 is a great camera, It shares the same 12.1mp sensor as the D90 and D300 in a smaller more compact Body. plus you get an articulating screen which can help for those hard shots where u can't get behind the lens.

The best thing about it? The price has kept on dropping since its launch in May/June

a great starter SLR with plenty of automatic scene modes for the new users that have not used an SLR before.

Just remember to buy AF-S lenses or 3rd Party lenses with built in motors.

Nice shots BTW. Nikon's Active D-Lighting is a great feature that helps brighten up the details in the shadows.

Dec 31, 2009 02:10 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Nice job on those photos. Do you still like the camera?

Jan 15, 2010 05:36 AM
Bill Wallace
Bridge Realty - Bloomington, MN
William Wallace

Nice post - it's great to see the before & after.

This is why we use professional photographers - the difference is so big and with pictures being the key to internet marketing it's critical.

Jan 25, 2010 11:29 PM
Geoff ONeill
John L. Scott Medford - Medford, OR

OK I'm convinced... and tired of the "stitching" software to make a great wide angle photo.

Feb 05, 2010 02:13 AM
Ellie Shorb
Compass Real Estate - Chevy Chase, MD
Realtor DC, MD & VA Luxury Home Expert

You did a great job and clearly your purchase was worth it - Don't forget to "write it off!"

Feb 05, 2010 06:42 AM
Pat, Ben and Martin Mullikin
M3 Realty - Brookfield, WI

Those "after" photos look terrific! I found an after-market wide agnle lens for my Sony cyber-shot and it makes a world of difference! Now just to figure out that white balance thing....

Mar 31, 2010 04:27 PM
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