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ActiveRain 2016 Photography Contest – My Real Estate Branding Photo

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

2016 ActiveRain Photography Contest

A Real Estate Branding Photo

 

As soon as I read Dick Greenberg’s post about the 2016 ActiveRain Photography Contest, and saw the categories I knew immediately which photo I wanted to use. It’s taken a little time to get my act together to talk about it, but the choice was simple.

 

My real estate branding photo

 

This photo was taken back on April 6, 2008 at sunset, at 6:10 PM to be exact. I actually took several, one minute apart each, with the sun in different places but I like this one best because of the position of the sun over the ocean and the light with the Life Guard shack off to the side.

 

branding buttonI’ve been a big fan of sunsets, and taking sunset photos, for years, and living close to the beach in Carlsbad affords me many opportunities to take some pretty impressive sunset photos and videos. I probably have over a hundred now from various vantage points along the coast from Oceanside to La Jolla.

 

I even wrote an article about some of the best places for sunset watching, but I like this photo the best so it’s become part of my branding in selling the Carlsbad lifestyle by the beach

 

Seller Handbook coverI think the photo sends a powerful emotional message to those who see it – who doesn’t appreciate a beautiful sunset, and perhaps even more so when at the beach?!

 

Here in Carlsbad on any given evening you’ll see numerous people gathered on the beach, on the jetties, on the bluff, or parked on the Coast Road in their cars, cameras ready, to enjoy the setting sun which is always different.

 

And with our beautiful Carlsbad weather you can enjoy our sunsets outdoors all year round.

 

The life guard shacks, like silent sentinels along our 7 miles of beaches, provide an additional reminder of life at the beach so I thought this was a particularly nice addition to the photo, along with providing some visual interest with the sun setting. The shacks are numbered so people often use them to let others know where they are parked along the beach or where they are on the sand.

 

A slight variation of the photo was used to create the button links to different sites in my signature below. The above photo is also on my Google+ site, my LinkedIn page, as well as on my YouTube Channel (below).

 

Jeff Dowler YouTube Channel header

 

And the same photo is used in my Activerain blog (see above right), adding the tag line “The Southern California Relocation Dude” – I thought the color choices work particularly well together.

 

Moo About Me business cardI had a set of business cards made up from Moo, and have used them in a number of ways to let people know about my focus on relocation here to Southern California.

 

I recently changed my About Me site so the QR code on this particular card will not work correctly – waiting for those new cards!  

 

And my About Me site also uses the same image!

 

About Me home page

 

I have also been using the photo in some print ads (see below) in the new Carlsbad Lifestyle magazine (see the Carlsbad Lifestyle Magazine Facebook page) that started earlier this year, and in the annual Carlsbad Golfer’s Digest publication circulated at The Crossings at Carlsbad golf course and a number of other local golf clubs, something new for 2016-2017.

 

Carlsbad lifestyle Magazine ad

 

I also am trying a display at PlayWerx this year, a popular indoor play facility for kids here in Carlsbad with a huge play structure. You can read more about my visit to PlayWerx here.

 

PlayWerx display ad

 

I have some other thoughts on how I will be using this photo in other ways in the future, and perhaps some other branding changes that need to be made for 2017. But I've gotten some pretty good mileage out of a photo I took simply because I really liked the scene, and with no forethought about how I might use it. Who'd have thought?!

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


Call or Text
(760) 840-1360

Email Me

Enjoy the beach life in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas,
San Marcos & other
North San Diego County coastal
& inland communities

Buy - Sell - Invest - Second Homes  

     

About Me

My Blog

My Website

  Jeff Dowler's Facebook Profile  Jeff Dowler's YouTube Profile    Jeff Dowler's LinkedIn Profile

 

Comments (32)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Jeff --- impressive.   This is a very thoughtful post with lots of great insights of how a photo can become so much more.   

Nov 10, 2016 10:10 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Great photograph, Jeff Dowler and one that will certainly gain you some 'mileage' in advertisements in the future

Nov 10, 2016 11:08 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks Ed Silva It's been fun using this photo in many ways!

Thank you Noah Seidenberg  I guess it was meant to be - I certainly didn't plan it that way when I took the photo!

Jeff

Nov 10, 2016 11:56 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi James Dray  Thanks!! I'm glad it was helpful!

What a nice compliment, Sheila Anderson  Thank you.

Jeff

Nov 10, 2016 11:57 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Jeff,  That photo is definitely a branding photo for Jeff Dowler, the relocation dude!  I know it well. The association is there! 

Nov 11, 2016 12:15 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Well Jeff Dowler It is a great shot. You have an eye for things that I envy.

Bill Roberts

Nov 11, 2016 01:43 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Jeff - That's a great sunset photo and you have put it to excellent use. Thanks for your contest entry!

Nov 11, 2016 03:23 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Jeff Dowler - I'm really stuck on a Real Estate branding photograph. Until now, I didn't even know where to begin. I can appreciate the road map you laid out but now I'm even more convinced I could not do what you have done. You did it so well building it up step by step! I applaud you!!! It's very tastefully done too! 

Nov 11, 2016 08:03 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks so much Michael Jacobs . It wasn't until I delved into the post that I realized how much I WAS using the photo.

Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI NMLS#1483386  - no doubt there will be other opportunities

Jeff

Nov 11, 2016 08:56 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathleen Daniels Thank you. What a nice thing to say!

What a nice compliment Bill Roberts  I'm pleased with the photo, but it was all luck, no skill.

Jeff

Nov 11, 2016 08:58 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thank you, Dick Greenberg 

That's a pretty nice compliment from someone who takes some pretty wonderful photos!

Jeff

Nov 11, 2016 08:59 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Patricia Feager 

It's interesting how this has evolved for me since I took the photo, and as I said it was not done in a planful way. Of course now that I wrote this I can see that it was planned, in some way, and needs to be developed further. Good luck with your entry!

Jeff

Nov 11, 2016 09:09 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Is 22 your lucky number Jeff Dowler.I like it.

Nov 11, 2016 09:12 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Nice work on your branding photo, Jeff. That is a really nice picture, and it works well for advertising your area. I'm also a fan of sunrises and sunsets. 

Nov 11, 2016 09:49 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

This is a fabulous post Jeff Dowler about you have incorporated your photo into all your marketing and online activities.  A great brand for you and Carlsbad!

Nov 11, 2016 11:04 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Jeff Dowler wow...nice shot.... and wouldn't I love to be on that beach right now.....

Nov 12, 2016 01:51 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Jeff, you have just proved yourself to be a consummate branding expert! I love the calmness and reflection that this photo offers anyone. Put yourself HERE. And one of the best parts (besides that, and the colors, and silhouette) is that there is no human in it. That gives everyone a chance to put their own mark on it. I have Moo business cards--LOVE them!!! I use the same fall photo in my business cards, my website, my welcome cards with closing gifts...and I took that photo with a simple camera long before becoming a Realtor. Great entry and SUCH good info!!! 

Nov 12, 2016 01:51 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Jeff Dowler  Wonderful way you have used your love of sunsets to highlight and brand yourself.

You have my vote as a winner in  Dick Greenberg 's  photography contest.

Nov 12, 2016 11:47 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I think you have the perfect branding photo for your area. Everyone I know loves a sunset and this one beckons us to learn more about your part of the country.

Nov 15, 2016 06:49 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Jeff, what a wonderful sunset photo!  And never ever take the ocean for granted! What a great way to appreciate the sunset!

Nov 16, 2016 02:20 AM