Do you need a new friend? You might want to make it your camera. Going off a bit here into psychological, esoteric land, I guess, but bear with me - the point will be gradually revealed.

This is NOT about the mechanics and techniques of photography. There are far better people than I right here on AR to give us those lessons. Cheryl Johnson has shared some good stuff on technique when taking photos (Photography 101: Exposure Trilogy: The Third Fundamental, and Photography 101: Depth of Field, for starters) and our resident photographer, Bryce Mohan, is giving us all some great lessons, FREE of charge - to mention just a few, Photography 101: Composition and Framing, Photography 101: Lenses, and Photography 101: Dynamic Range (Pt 1. General Concept) (if there are other professional photographers here I am omitting, I apologize. I also apologize to others who have offered advice, solutions to problems, and more, for not including you too - you need to draw the line somewhere). What more can you ask for? I, for one, see tremendous value in their knowledge sharing, so take advantage of it. I bet we start seeing a vast improvement in the photos we see here as a result.

Let me veer off the technical path, now, and foray onto one that hints of animism. Not the religious component, but more simply attributing human characteristics or qualities to inanimate objects. I would like to encourage you to think of your camera as a friend. Whether you are an agent, a buyer, a seller, a stager, or someone else in the real estate world who uses a camera, I challenge you to be more friendly TO your camera, and to respect the friend that your camera can be. Sound a bit weird? Out in the ozone?  Perhaps. But my thoughts were racing while I was in spin class this morning and so there you are.

AGENTS:

Why, oh why, do you treat your camera as an enemy? You put your friend in embarrassing situations by the lousy photos you take of your homes for sale. Or worse, you ignore your valued friend completely and take no photos at all. Perhaps you don't like your friend very much, and see it (him? her? You decide) as someone who is intrusive and tries to tell you what to do. Yes, your friend does not lie - your camera speaks the truth and reveals it to all to see, including you, and to your face. Perhaps that's why you are so fickle about your friend. And why you don't like this straightforward, honest approach. And despite knowing what a good friend your camera can be, you abandon your friend mercilessly. Shame on you!  And I'm willing to bet that those of you who treat your friend in this manner often swear at them too, and let their batteries die so they have no choice but to remain behind. Didn't your mother tell you about being nice to your friends?

I suggest you change your thinking, here, and really consider what a good friend your camera really can be. Your camera can help you market your listing, and in fact WANTS to be helpful, if you will just let it.  Just like any friend, it takes time to get to know each other, so spend some quality time getting to know each other's likes and dislikes, and all the little foibles a friend can have (you might consult Cheryl and Bryce for some hints on things to ask if you get stuck, or are too embarrassed to ask your friend directly). Your friend will let you know when there is a problem, and over time you will learn there are some things your friend will not or cannot do for you...but isn't that true of any real friend?

But don't take advantage of your friendship. And sometimes YOU have to take the responsibility when things don't go the way you want. It's not always your friend's fault.

BUYERS:

It's confusing looking at lots of homes on-line, and when the photos are lousy or missing, well, you know that that particular agent is not on friendly terms with his or her camera. Maybe the camera told them to...well, you know. Photos like that make you "shutter", don't they (darn those puns). So you need to take over.

You will likely see a lot of homes for sale, especially if you are a first time home buyer. A friendly camera will help you keep your favorite homes clear in your mind. Trying to recall which house had the killer master bath? Just ask your friend - you will be amazed at your friend's photographic memory (sorry about that pun...no, actually I'm not). Your friend will tell you all the things you overlooked at each house, and will also share what they see in the neighborhood that you may have missed. Now that's what friend's are for.

So if you are truly friends, let your camera accompany you. Experiences like buying a home should be shared with close friends.

SELLERS:

You are leaving your home behind...perhaps willingly, perhaps not. Friends understand that and will want to help. Your camera will be there to share memories of your old home (and begin those in your new one, too). Keep your focus (oops) on the road ahead, but don't leave your memories behind. Make sure your listing agent understands what a close friend YOUR camera is so they,too, perhaps will feel similarly. And maybe you friend will have some thoughts and memories (the special gardens you planted that are now hidden under snow) to share with your agent so your home will look its best to the on-line audience. Remember, some agents are not on the best of terms with their cameras. Fortunately some have the wisdom to know they need therapy, and so they call in a professional.

HOME STAGERS:

You, I suspect, already have made good friends with your camera, and given my limited understanding of all that you do, it is not really within the scope of my abilities and knowledge to talk about this special friendship. But I imagine your camera has already made it known that your friendship goes beyond the present, but will also be valuable in the future once you finish your work and your client is raving. Make sure your clients understand how important your camera's friendship was to you...and how that friendship extends to your client as well (hmmm. how to get rid of that ugly receptacle!).

INSPECTORS and APPRAISERS:

Many of you have a good relationship with your camera, I suspect. Perhaps not a friendly one, but you know that the relationship is valuable, enables YOU to be successful, and makes other people (like banks) happy. Perhaps your camera can even make you look good at what you do - knowledgeable and efficient. Maybe you take your camera along for the ride begrudgingly - I hope not.  You know what they say about pictures and 1000 words.

Well, enough of the animistic musings. I have more serious things I need to go do. Now, where did I leave my friend now?