Kathleen, this cant be said enough!!!!!!!!!  For some reason, people just dont get it!

Kathleen- You are SO right! I have before and afters of occupied homes, but no befores for my vacants. I am probably missing the opportunity to continue the WOW factor! And I have never used stock photos. New stagers should consider using photos of their own homes or those of friends before resorting to posting photos of rooms they didn't do! Thanks for this great post!

Thanks Marci!  I agree!  It is a constant reminder to those who are new in this industry to not cheat the public...and to not cheat yourself.  Show off your talent!!  It is not so difficult to take photos of your work. Especially because this is a time when potential clients are shopping based on 'price'.  It is important that you provide the level of talent which reflects your staging prices and your work via your Photo Gallery. 

Some of the lowest-priced Home Staging companies often do not show their own work in their photo gallery.  They will use stock decor photos and this is a rampant issue and growing problem. 

Professional Home Stagers are building solid reputations in the real estate industry.  Let's all show off our own work via the Befores and Afters of our Photo Galleries!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Elaine....Thanks for commenting.  I think I have spoiled my own mother! She is a consumer just like our potential clients and HGTV has done a wonderful job of increasing people's expectations!  She criticizes me if my 'WOW' factor is not at my best level!!  (No pressure there mind you!)...LOL! I think this part of the Photo Gallery is most everyone's favorite page....Home Stager or not!  Show me YOUR talent! Prove it!

Though the Before photos on vacants are often dull and empty, it is one of the most profound photos you can use to market your abilities!  It is easy to get excited and jump into the staging work without having taken the before photos.  I have done it many times myself!  The value of showing off the Before and After examples of your work is important to incorporate in your marketing!  Digital cameras give us no excuses to skip this step anymore! : )  Regards-Kathleen G

Kathleen - excellent blog.  This is so true!  Stock photos should NEVER be used nor should a stager take another stager's photos.  As far as I'm concerned, this is a subject that we should all keep addressing in our blogs, it's so important.  You should add this blog to the staging newbies group.  Beautiful staging job by the way.

Hi Kathleen, excellent tutotial on before & afters. especially your point about "If all the viewer can see is the After shot, you are doing your staging business and your creative talents a disservice"... No before pics sort of defeats the purpose. From a consumer's point of view, I want to see where the final results came from.

Absolutely!  That is something I plan on working on this weekend!  I have to look through boxes to find my disks with all my pics on it from previous jobs....(I am re-entering the staging business after taking 5 years off to have kids)......

Have a great day!!

Hey Marti-I just lost my reply to you darn it!!  Anyway...thanks for stopping by!!

This past weekend I ran a 5K race.  Though I have not run in many, many years, a friend who is training for a marathon asked me to run with her.  OK, sure...I figured 3.1 miles was doable.  : )   (Never mind that I would hobble around at a near crawl for the first few days of this week...wow, the muscle pain in my legs kicked my butt!)

Running a race is a process right?  We visualize the Finish Line as the end goal and we must begin at the Starting Line.   Even though I could visualize crossing the line at the finale of the race route, I still needed to do the process of running in order to get from A to B.  What is the point if I just show up at the Finish Line? Would anyone really be able to tell from a photo how far I had run?  1 mile? 3 miles? 10 miles? Maybe I didn't even run the race! (Can you see my point?)

We are showing our clients the Starting Line by having a Before photo of a project.  How could I appreciate the 'distance' a room has come if there was no starting line to base it on?  Just like I highlighted in the photo examples above...you can easily see where the room started, and where the room ended up---at the FINISH LINE!  Thanks again Marti!  Regards, Kathleen G

Hi Natascha- Excellent and welcome back to the fray!  : )  I think you will find a few things have changed over the past 5 years! 

My mother was asking me just yesterday if I had some old, old photos of when I re-did a chartreuse green bedroom years ago.  It had really awesome green shag carpeting (this was in the 70s) and I used super cool lime-green fern sheets for curtains!  Tie-backs were sewn by me and I had an extremely bright green bedspread....you want to talk about a WOW factor, hahaha....those were the days! And that design period of time would be forever known in my family as Kathy's 'green' phase!  Which preceded my 'Brown' phase....etc.  LOL....shag carpet, oh my!

Tried as I could to find the photos for her, I have lost many photos due to CA earthquakes (Northridge), FL hurricanes (Wilma)etc...drats, I couldn't find them.  I hope you have better luck (discs are waaay better than the old school 3x5 photos).  Good Luck!  Regards-Kathleen G

Very important, Kathleen.  And we can use Kodak Gallery or realestateshow.com to have additional links to email to potential clients, if website updating is too costly or time consuming.

Kathy

Hi Kathy R.!  That is a great idea!!  I need to figure out the re-sizing thing so that the photos do not get so wiggley-looking.  It is something I think I am doing wrong...and it is very frustrating.  Maybe I just need glasses?? Is this what happens when you need eye-glasses finally??  : )  Regards-Kathleen G

PS-Marci has me inspired to break into the RES crowd.  It is really a cool tool!  I simply want clear photos like the original ones on my laptop/PC.  I will figure it out!! : )

Great post, Kathleen!  You're right, the portfolio is perhaps one of the most important things a stager can provide!

Kathy

Hi Kathy!  Your site has excellent examples of Before and Afters!  Your clients know that they are hiring a reliable and professional Home Stager!  Atlanta is lucky to have a pro like you!

Yesterday, I happened across a new stager/realtor's staging site in my area.  There were not any Before photos to judge her work...and the only photo on her gallery appeared to be a stock photo.  When someone is advertising FREE STAGING to the public, and they show their supposed 'photo gallery' with a stock photo or two and without any work of their own, it is simply unprofessional. 

So, I decided to post a blog to remind people of the VALUE you bring to your own business by showing the progress you are able to create for your clients!  Thanks for stopping by Kathy N!!  Regards-Kathleen G

Can you see meeeeeeeeeeeeee?

I could pick out your photos on Stager Idol - in fact I could identify several stagers.

 I agree - Use your own photos - do before & afters - work on your staging & photo skills - so much to do but so necessary. 

Some clients were viewing my portfolio last week and I had a couple afters without the befores and one almost before (we had painted a wall swatch). They were giving me a hard time because they were having fun comparing the changes. Now I remember to take lots of befores first thing and on 2 different cameras. 

 Hi again Kathleen, re "Maybe I didn't even run the race! (Can you see my point?)"...

 Exactly!!! The thing is that most of us are so close to our own business, we can't really see things the way our clients or potential clients do. We assume stuff (i.e. stagers not including before photos) and therefore, the potential client has no frame of reference.

 It seems simple enough when we think about it but then again, hindsight is 20/20. Have a great weekend and thx for including this post in the marketing group...

I CAN see Youuuuuuuuu Kathleen L. up there in the freezing tundra of Minnesota!! You all have some crazy temperatures going on lately!!  Brrrrr........Thanks for stopping by! 

Isn't it the truth that clients LOVE to see the Before and After photos?  Your story was case-in-point!  I think it is human nature that we appreciate the 'after' photo much more when we have a 'before' photo to compare!  We all love to search and find the differences in photo comparisons...it is very similar to those brain games you would play as a kid (or with your kids). 

Many of HGTV's most successful shows are produced with the Before and After impact (Wow!) factor in mind....why shouldn't our portfolios reflect our work's best WOW factor as well?!!  Stay warm Kathleen L!!  Regards-Kathleen G

Have a nice weekend to you as well Marti!  That point of reference is a strong one to use when showing our work to others....no matter what we each do for a living!! (You marketing people get it much faster than those of us who need you all to better direct us towards marketing our best work and talents!)  Regards-Kathleen G

I  agree with allthat but the staging is "BELLISSIMO" the touch of the corner drapes was what got me ITS AWESOME it makes  a clean view out, because the bare wall is an eye soar, great job on that job !!!

Kathleen: You do beautiful work. And I totally agree on all points. Show before and afters (hopefully from the same angle), show only your own work, and no stock photos. We have an ethical obligation to people looking at our web sites and blogs. If a photo appears there, the consumer has a right to expect that it is a photo of your work. Thanks for posting this.

I couldn't agree with you more!  I love to look at photos on other's websites... if  there's not very many, I'm always disappointed.  I have several on my site, I guess because I think if I was surfing the internet that's what I'd be looking at first.

Your are right on the nose with this post.  It's very deceitful, and the buyers don't have a clue.

Kathleen, I couldn't agree more. When we were building our site our motto was "less talk more action" therefore we didn't fill the pages with a ton of text and poured all the energy into our gallery page, filled with before & afters. Funny story- a Realtor who we were meeting for the first time for coffee to discuss incorporating staging in his listings said he really liked our website but that we needed to show people before and after pictures so clients could visually see the difference staging makes- I asked him in bewilderment "Didn't you check out the gallery page??" His face went a bit red and then admitted he didn't look at that page!!!!

Emily ~Celebrate Staging, Vancouver BC

Kathleen ~ THANK YOU for posting about this important subject.  There is simply NO room for fudging on this issue.  Our portfolios need to show Before & Afters of our OWN work.  Stagers should agree that this is a non-negotiable point.  Please post this in the Real World Staging for Newbies group too, thanks!

Good point!  We have an active staged properties page, which includes the RES for each home that is currently staged and on the market.  We also have a before & after section inside our Real Estate Professionals section.  They are differentiated based on owner occupied or vacant.

This is the number one questions I am asked by my clients do you have photos of your work! We provide our clients with a before and after video for all our properties. It helps sell us to their next client.

I totally agree about including  before shots as well as the "afters". I have been surprised to see a number of Stager's sites that do not include both because the majority of the impact of the transformation is lost without the "before". 

For new Stagers, it was mentioned to take pictures of your own home, offer to stage a room in family or friend's homes as well in order to get shots that are "real" and are your work. 

Hello Fernando-Thank you!  Good eye as well on the corner drapery!  I had to cut the rods in order to make them shorter and on the right side, the rod is slightly longer than the wall to provide the illusion of more wall!  We also hung similar-colored outdoor drapery in the outdoor living area created from Sunbrella fabric which blends in with the indoor look...can you see it?

Hi Michelle-Thank you!  Your amazing work is always decor which I adore tremendously.  I am still laughing about your last blog.....your analogy 'killed' me!  : )  If you all missed it, please find it:  Should I wait to have my Home staged...   (I couldn't get the link to post!)

Hi Judy-Web surfing is fun, and though I do not check many stagers sites out too often, sometimes I want more to sink my teeth into!  Know what I mean?  If you simply post accessories, it doesn't let me know how you put the pieces together....a nice mix is good!

Hello Cindy-Did you win that beach place in the Keys yet? : ) Thanks for stopping by! 

Hi Emily-I agree with you....however, it is so difficult to pare down the words (text) we want to tell people!  Because the value of Home staging is still being understood by the general public, education of the masses is very important.  Thanks!

Kathleen--some of our first work  was one of my friend's houses!  We staged it and now her house is for sale and my friend told me- I just kept what you did in place!  The realtor told us it looked great!

Hi Kathleen:  You have a lot of insightful recommendations and I think you raise a lot of very important points.  Hopefully, you post will be read by many people.  You have a lot of instight.  Good wishes to you.

Kathleen:

Well said!  Even better SHOWN!

I wonder if you would mind sharing some more before and after photos for use in a local TV commercial meant to educate sellers? 

The commercial is for our new Real Estate channel, and will not benefit any particular stager or agent. 

If you agree, then I might be able to provide the the finished commercial for you to add a tag and use it locally to promote your business.  

Hello everyone! Thanks for the comments!  Been a busy week here...hope it is for you all too!

Hi Lonn-Please feel free to give me a call and we will discuss your project in more depth! Thanks!

Regards-Kathleen G

Kathleen,

I am late in reading AR's blogs.  I loved your photos and your advise.  I agree whole heartetedly!  Can you advise me as to how your photos look so professional and how you get your name on the bottom?  I love your signature also.  I am new to this industry and want to make a great impression.  I have tried to upload my pictures on my website but I am finding out that they take to long to load.  If you could help me with these questions I would appreciate it.

Needs help,

Naomi

nturner@citlink.net

www.roombyroominteriors.net

I saw two websites that had the same portfolio pics in it here, and one from a different state.  It said this is what staging can do to your home.  To me, thats deceiving,  I also saw another website that had used a furniture company ad's photos, because I had just seen the furniture companies website.  I was thinking wait a minute, where have I seen this photo before.  It's only hurting the stager in the long run!

Hi Naomi!  I answered earlier and I do not see my response!!  Argh....  I will email you privately with the answers to your questions!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Cindy!  I am confused, did you see these VERY SAME PHOTOS on another site? Why would a Home Stager use the photos from another stager's work?  I see other stagers use the same photos from their staging training schools and I think it is deplorable.  Why would a stager want to deceive any client into thinking that their ability is anything other than what is represented.  I feel like I have deja-vu when I review many sites....drives me batty! (And is really deceiving...and training schools should not allow this sharing of 'staged' photos.)  Regards-Kathleen G

Great advice, I know that I would rather look at photos than read a lot of words.

The before and after photos are the most powerful tool for a presentation to a real estate office or homeowner,

My problem is that I get so involved in the project I sometimes forget to take the before photos.

Joyce

Aloha Kathleen,

Before and After Photos are a tenant of staging and should never be underestimated as THE most powerful marketing tool a professional stager can possess. Improving your B&A's can only improve your marketing potential and your reputation. Great post.

Peace,

Hi Joyce!  There have been many times I have not taken the before photos of rooms and later regret that I didn't slow down to do so.  The homeowners love to see the progress completed with the Befores and Afters.  I also understand the feeling of being 'involved' as soon as you walk into a project.  My mind begins the creative planning immediately!

Aloha Kimo!  I agree that the B and A photos are THE MOST powerful tool for marketing your talents.  I personally LOVE to see them in people's photo galleries and enjoy a fantastic transformation.  When I find only the After looks without the Befores, I often wonder how bad the room was to begin with!  Does that make sense to you?  Some homes have incredible decor at the get go! 

Even the most simplest of stagings with before and afters is impactful.  I like to notice small details which make the flow move smoothly...even if it only involves re-hanging artwork at a better level or rearranging a bookcase.  As a young kid, I always had fun with those picture games where you compared one picture page to another one and had to find the 20 things which were different.  That sums up Befores and Afters for me!

Warm Regards-Kathleen G

Hi Kathleen,  I also look at the portfolio, I love the before and after shots!  That is one of the best ways for a client to see your work.  I also love it when stagers share the photos on their blogs.

Forgot to mention, I love your vignette shots.  I am going to try and start doing those as well.  Your photography is beautiful, do you have a professional photographer or really expensive equipment? 

You are right.

I'm guilty right now though. My portfolio only has afters. While the properties are mostly vacants your example above shows the huge difference and makes the impact we extole and clients expect!

Sigh, I really should get off my procrastinating butt and update my portfolio.

Hi Lisa! Thank you for the compliments!  No, I do not hire a professional photographer because I enjoy taking photos myself.  I get that question a lot! My camera is nothing special...actually it is quite old by technology's standards.  It is merely a 3.2 megapixel digital Panasonic.  It does have a Leica lens, which I understand is one of the best. 

There are lots of great cameras out there but it is the person taking the photo which can make the biggest difference.  I am still working on improving the lighting at locations in homes...sometimes I have to run back to re-take them if the day is overcast or I am simply too tired to think (after a staging).  Good luck with your photo-taking skills...take lots of photos from many angles...and then you will develop your own signature style! Thanks for stopping by!  Regards-Kathleen G

Hello there Dane!  How are you doing these days??  I wanted to write Danie and wondered if anyone ever calls you by that name?  Anyway....yes, I am a huge advocate of selling your staging skills and talent when you show the Before & After Photos.  (Especially with the vacant room shots!)  Yes...some of the before photos seem so boring at the time and why bother...right?  Well, I believe it does make the difference in the comparison of the final product (After) with the previous look (Before). 

You are a great designer Dane and I would definitely consider adding those Before photos to your online portfolio! ABSOLUTELY!  Clients get so excited to see both sides....and I always feel that it helps support your creative ability and talent.  The Befores as well as the Afters support the level of expertise you offer to homeowners/clients!  What better way to show off your work??!!  : )

Imagine if all those HGTV home shows just showed the "after' photos....what happens to the exciting element of CHANGE when there is no 'before' to compare? The shows would not be watched!

I think it is human nature to get a thrill out of improving a 'look'.  Our homes, ourselves, our lives....whatever strikes the viewer.  I like that we show Before and Afters to people.....it gives them HOPE...Hope that things can always IMPROVE!  And providing clients the thrill of change is an important element of our job as Stagers!  Regards-Kathleen G

Kathleen..Great Post - I totally agree that before and after's should be on your web-site and they should be YOUR OWN WORK. 

I'm not great with the camera yet but the pictures are all ours.  I'll get better one day.