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Your Photo is Worth a 1000 Words.....or is it a $1000 dollars.....

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Boise Idaho SP20114

I know many blogs have been written about an Real Estate Agents photos.    Whether or not the picture is a current photo is very important....but maybe a different question is ......

Does your picture really convey who you are?   

Our business photo is one way many of us brand ourselves....using the same picture on our websites and all of our marketing such as our business cards and flyers really is key.   

I got an email last week that really brought this concept home.    The email was an inquiry from a new client who was looking for advice on the whole home selling process.   I went to the appointment the other night.   It is a great listing that I plan on taking in the next couple of weeks.   Great people...Great house...that they own free and clear.   

We really clicked and had a wonderful visit during our appointment.    At the end I asked where they had found me.  They replied that they were actually looking for another Keller Williams agent who no longer is in the business.   When they didn't find her on our website they decided to "choose the most friendly looking agent"   

Well I won the award that day!   LOL  

Seriously though...I have put a lot of thought into my business photo.    In my 16 years of Real Estate I have had many photos.  Some were very serious and "business" like.   Others have been a bit more relaxed.  

The picture I used for many years....way to many years....actually was taken at a friends house.   I was sitting on the floor leaning into her end table with a lighted lamp in the back ground.   I had many compliments on how "real" that picture was of me.   It wasn't fancy but it wasn't stiff and formal either.    To get that "pose" we took about 25 pictures around her house.   That was the best of the photos.  

Last summer when I visited my friend Faye Chapman, in Laguna Beach California.   Faye is my long time  best friend but she is also a top notch photographer.   I mentioned that I needed a new business card photo so off we went armed with her camera.  

We wandered the streets of Laguna Beach one early morning while I was there.   She must have taken over 100 pictures of me against many different back drops.   I think part of what helped was having a friend take my picture....I was a lot more relaxed than i would have been in a formal setting.   

After wards with the ease of digital photography we cropped and blew up many of the photos.....until we had narrowed it down.   I asked many of my co workers which shot they liked best.  

So really take a look at your business photo...does it say "this is who I am?"    Does it convey who you are....a warm friendly Realtor who wants to help you buy or sell your next home?   Most important....Does it look like you?   Nothing is worse than when you hand your card to some one and they have to look twice to make sure you are the same person as the photo on the card.  

And if you are in the Laguna Beach area Call Faye Chapman...she will help you find a new picture for your marketing.   And you will have a lot of fun while you are having your sitting.   It gave me great pleasure to call her and thank her for a great picture that helped me to get a great new listing.

Posted by

Bzybee Logo

Deborah Byron Leffler   SFR, PMN "The BZYBEE REALTOR"

Keller Williams Realty Boise

Serving All of Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Eagle, Caldwell, Marsing, Wilder, Homedale and Middleton

Comments (6)

Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

You do look friendly. We take several in our office and have other agents pick the best photo for us. It is funny to me how they usually pick different ones

Aug 20, 2010 09:39 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Deborah,  I like your current photo and also would have picked you out of a line-up !    Have a terrific weekend !

Aug 20, 2010 09:41 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Lori...it is funny how different peoples tastes are isn't it????

Bill....why thank you!!!   you have a great weekend as well!!

Aug 20, 2010 09:43 AM
Judi Boad
SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE - Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Deborah,

What a nice compliment! You CAN see that you are friendly and easy to be around by your photo!

Love Faye's photos and soundtrack. Aren't brides on the beach just beautiful!!!

Have a great weekend...

Aug 20, 2010 10:08 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Thanks Judi.....I think she "captured" me...LOL....she does a beautiful job...Faye took my wedding photos and even my hubby, who hates smiling and picture taking, got into it and had a lot of fun!   LOL  I do love the beach brides!!!   You have a great weekend too!

Aug 20, 2010 10:10 AM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

I really dislike having my picture taken and I know I'm going to have to bite the bullet soon.  Hopefully I get one that looks as good as yours! :)

Aug 22, 2010 06:35 AM