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Another Reason Why A Good Camera is so Important to Staging...

I posted another blog, http://activerain.com/blogsview/385062/Seeing-is-Believing, about a home I recently staged.

This is what the agent had to say about this home, just based on the photos I sent him (See Fernando's blog about using a good camera (http://activerain.com/blogsview/383363/Investing-on-a-good):

Email Subject Line: "WOW!"

"Bevin - I have always thought I was the best home picture taker (without being a pro) but I hand over the crown. I haven't been into the house yet but your pictures are awesome! I have integrated all of them into my slide show." - C. Aikman

See how important, not only Staging is for potential buyers, but your camera is for your business!!

Posted by Bevin Googer ~ www.StagingAndRedesign.com on 02/18/2008 08:31 PM

Comments (18)

18 Comments on Another Reason Why A Good Camera is so Important to Staging...

FEB

2008

Bevin,

The pictures are GREAT! What camera do you have? I did buy a wide angle lenes digital, but I feel it is more limited then I want. Thanks

Bevin- I just started sending my photos to the agents. Even though my focus is more on the staging than the actual home, they appreciate the more artistic view than they would take! Your photos are wonderful! No wonder the agent reacted that way!

Those are wonderful photos, Bevin! How great that you were able to capture the sunset out the windows in the last shot. I think that agents really appreciate it when we as stagers provide them with some good photos they can use to market their listings. Keep up the good work!

FEB

2008

Breathtaking...my goodness, off to read Fernando's blog.

Great shots and decorating! I am so in love with the houses in SC. Every house you and Melissa post pictures of make me homesick for a place I've never been.

Congratulations on making it to the top 10 of stager idol, btw!

Those are awesome shots Bevin! The views from windows in the last 2 shots are amazing and compliment the great staging!

So your a budding professional photographer also! The pictures are great and by being able to send quality photo's to your Realtors you are giving them a value added service.

Michele - I use a Nikon P50. It is insanely inexpensive and has a built in wide angle, and lots of options and settings. I think it is hands down the best camera for the money. My brother owns a different Nikon - the exact model isnt coming to me now - but it looks like the ones professionals use and is huge - but I use that one sometimes too. I used to own Canon Powershots, which are great to keep in your purse or back pocket for easy, fun, quick photography. But since photos are so important to my business, I started shopping around, and have fallen in love with the Nikons! Wide angle is key too! What did you buy that are not happy with?

Elaine - Thanks! I always send them photos of the home and the more "artsy" ones and let them pick! This particular agent has kept his original photos - which are really good too of the exterior and view - and added everyone I sent him and the RES Show. He put everything up immediately too - clearly a good agent :)

Diana - Thank you! The time of day was very important to this home and I made sure to be there at the right time. The agents do appreciate the photos, as it is sometimes a real inconvenience for them to return to the home at the exact right time to take additional photos - and can take a few days or a week to get back to the home too. So, the easier we make their jobs, the more likely they are to continue using us!

Terrylynn - Thanks!

Dane - We keep telling you to come and visit!! Thanks!

Jackson - I am very flattered as your work is always so stunning! I wish I had that view every night...

Sandra - Ha ha - no professional here, but I have improved ALOT! thanks!

FEB

2008

Thanks for sharing your camera information, Bevin. Do you have to manually set it, or can you "point and shoot" with the wide angle?

Kathy

Bevin, your shots are great. I do believe if you are a professional stager that having the right camera to take the shots is a necessity of doing business. I have the Nikon D50 with a SB 600 flash. The wide angles make all the difference in the rooms and in Northeastern Ohio with constant over cast skies the brighter flash is a necessity. I have found most agents do not have great cameras so I provide the after pictures to them to use on the MLS that way I know my work has been showcased at its best and so is the property that is on the market.

Keep up the good work and good luck with Idol,

Lisa

Great job staging and great work with your photos, Bevin!

I need to get the wide angle for my camera...it's just so necessary...and the additional flash because I hate flash reflections---they look so terrible! AH, one of these days....

FEB

2008

I love the view out the windows in the last two shots! Fantastic staging too!

Do you use a photography umbrella to bring in more light when you take your pictures?

FEB

2008

Bevin,

Your photos are awesome. They look just as good as the ones the pros come up with.

Now that's what I call full service staging!

Kathy - I can point and shoot, and every shot uses the wide angle lens.

Lisa - Thanks for sharing your info too, and the good luck wishes!

Abby - I hate those reflections too! I ordered my camera off of Amazon and it was at my house is about a week...

Janice - Thanks! I definitely had the view and time of day on my side! I do not use an umbrella or anything else, I just take about 200-300 shots in a home. I take the same shot on 2 or 3 different settings too, some with a flash, most without, until I get one I like. That is why digital is so great! With this home I had about 350 shots, and about 25 that I really liked.

Susan - Thanks so much! It is full service staging, and my clients love it :)

FEB

2008

A note about FLASH REFLECTIONS

I see them ALL the time and the main culprit is people using the built-in flash or when using an SLR stick the flash on the camera's hot shoe. This is DEATH to a successful photograph.

If you do nothing else, GET THE FLASH OFF THE CAMERA and point it to a large reflecting surface above or behind the camera (like a wall or ceiling) - it will VASTLY improve your images.

If this shot had been done with on-camera flash, the window would have had a big, round blob of white right in the middle and the chairs would cast big dark shadows against the wall.