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My Career in Real Estate Made Me a Better Photographer

By
Industry Observer

Many of the lessons I learned in Real Estate taught me to be a better Photographer.

One thing I've learned in life is that everything I've done in the past, and I mean everything, brings me to where I am today. All the tiny bits and pieces of my life are what make me who I am. The good, the bad and everything in between. That is how life works. The chapter of my real estate career can be summarized as basically retired, but there is definitely a part of my life that has been forever changed. 

As a recently retired real estate salesperson I've turned my focus to travel and photography.  So many of the skills I've learned from my 15 plus years as an agent easily translate to my retirement and my photography goals.

My passion for photographing wildlife and landscapes has reached a new level. 

Skills I learned as an agent keep me focused.

1. Attention to detail matters. Being an agent definitely required many things to make any deal come together. In photography, details matter too. While taking a photo may only require the click of a button, creating art requires a bit. Paying attention to the small details carried over to my photography work allowing me to notice things in a different way and make photos that stand out. 

2. Visual Storytelling - Real estate is all about telling a story of a house or property to potential buyers. How to write adds, blog posts and take photos of a property put together a total picture of that home. By allowing the buyers to see themselves in the property helps with the sale. This skill has helped me to create a photo that tells a story of not only what is in the image, but perhaps where and when the photo was taken, and what it means to me. Capturing the viewers emotion is the goal.

3. Composition - Highlighting the homes best features is critical to engage with the buyers. As a photographer I've learned that lighting helps to guide the viewer to see the image as intended.

Comments(18)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Janis - your post is a reminder that life is a cumulative story.

It looks like you're making a return to the AR blog roll with these thoughts.  Time spent in ActiveRainLand or on this planet can provide many experiences that are beneficial (as well as satisfying) in so many ways.

 

 

Dec 15, 2023 06:26 AM
Janis Borgueta

It has been a bit since I was truly active here. I did learn so much about so many things and I have enjoyed the journey!

Dec 15, 2023 02:57 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

You have taken some very special photos. Attention to detail and looking at the little things are what make a photo pop and a house sell.

Dec 15, 2023 06:28 AM
Janis Borgueta

Yes indeed. Attention to detail is so important in getting those perfect home photos to pop and get the job done!! 

Dec 15, 2023 02:58 PM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Hi Janis, 

What a wonderful post about life's experiences and skills that remain with you for ever. I loved the dynamics captured in your photos. Looking forward to more stories from days in retirement. I thought real estate agents never retire ...😀

Dec 15, 2023 09:26 AM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks Steffy! I'll be happy to share some additional photos with everyone at AR. My retirement was expedited when covid hit. While it was in the general plan, I just decided to make it happen a couple of years earlier than originally intended. Travel and photography now is my passion.

Dec 15, 2023 03:00 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Janis,
First of all, congratulations on your retirement. It's the best gig ever.

There are life lessons in nearly every aspect of life, aren't there and they certainly don't stop at retirement? I love how you related photography to your real estate career.

Dec 15, 2023 10:34 AM
Janis Borgueta

Hey Carol - I don't know how I could ever separate the two. They are forever intertwined. 

Dec 15, 2023 03:00 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Great photos, love the energy and movement in them. I agree with you totally that we are who we are today because of everything in our past. Enjoy each moment as you move forward, allowing them to form you into a new creative person.

Dec 15, 2023 11:25 AM
Janis Borgueta

I'm working on some new images to share the beauty of nature and the more zen chapter of my life. LOL

Dec 15, 2023 03:01 PM
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Broker
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Congratulations on the new chapter of your life.  I hope you still stay active here in AR.  I love your photo's

Dec 15, 2023 01:13 PM
Janis Borgueta

Thank you Peter!! I'll be sure to share some of my current travels and photos

 

Dec 15, 2023 03:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Janis Borgueta ,

I've always loved your photographs. I love how you related photography to your real estate career and hope you will return with future posts highlighting your photography!

Dec 15, 2023 02:19 PM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks Dorie! I'll be happy to share more photos in the near future! Travel is the best!!

Dec 15, 2023 03:40 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm so glad you posted today because I just found your photography website this morning when you mentioned on FB something about a blog post. Love your photos - you definitely know how to get amazing photos!

Dec 15, 2023 02:27 PM
Janis Borgueta

Glad you saw the article. I'm home now until mid January and then we will be off again!

Dec 15, 2023 03:41 PM
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

I agree that happens.  I've photographed a few for my wife, but her work is much better than mine with 30 years experience.

Dec 15, 2023 03:21 PM
Janis Borgueta

What type of photography are you making reference to? I haven't done much real estate photography, but it would be a good sideline.

Dec 15, 2023 03:41 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Thank you for the update and imagery!

Dec 15, 2023 03:32 PM
Janis Borgueta

Hey Andrew!! Glad to see you here. More photos to follow for sure!!

Dec 15, 2023 03:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Janis- what a nice surprise to see you here...and a happy surprise as well. I remember your photographs from when you were still posting here!!! You have transitioned into where you were meant to be!!!  I can't wait for more posts. 

n

Dec 15, 2023 06:55 PM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks!! I do love a good surprise. 🙂 My retirement was a bit sooner than expected. COVID escalated the process. I guess that is a bit of a silver lining. Now I get to travel more and photograph amazing places I knew thought I'd see. 

Dec 16, 2023 08:15 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

OMG good to see you back it has been what three or four years since you posted and commented? How about that and you come back with a Featured Post, congratulations, hope you will stay and interact with the community like in the old days, Endre

Dec 15, 2023 10:14 PM
Janis Borgueta

Hey Endre- so good to see you! Yes, It was never my intention to just stop, but things happen and I did. I've never stopped thinking about all my AR peeps. I do see many of you on other social media at times in passing. Nothing stays the same for sure and it was time to leave the industry. I sold my beast of a house and am living in a much more manageable apartment so that we can travel without worrying about our home when we are away. All good!! Thanks for the shout out, and with this lovely warm welcome back... you might be seeing a bit more of me here.

Dec 16, 2023 08:17 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Makes a lot of sense and that you see so many things, and so many things need to be photographed.

Dec 15, 2023 11:55 PM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks Laura! I agree about the "need" to photograph things.

Indeed it is so obvious to me how much I learned from AR and all the wonderful people here. 

Dec 16, 2023 08:18 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Enjoyed your blog page, and I added you as a follower. I would love the follow back. Bill

Dec 16, 2023 08:49 AM
Janis Borgueta

Thanks Bill

Dec 16, 2023 10:35 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Most people had no clues about lighting and angles. Most cameras average the lighting which needs to be adjusted via software as post processing to make product look better.

Dec 18, 2023 12:29 PM
Janis Borgueta

Photography makes me look at the world from a different perspective. AND it is all about the light! 

Dec 19, 2023 12:25 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Janis, I've really enjoyed your photos over the years.  Your horses of southern France series was either right before or right after I visited the area with my mom, and it was very cool to see they in action via your photos.

I do think everything contributes to everything about us.  I'm better at my engineering job because of some things I've learned in real estate, and some of my real estate skills are better because I've brought my engineering logic into it.

Dec 18, 2023 06:03 PM
Janis Borgueta

We LOVED the horses so much we went back for a second time this past July. They are amazing. Visit me on Instagram @shecreates.photos to see my most recent horses. 

Dec 19, 2023 12:28 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Janis I just checked out your website and your photography is beautiful. Several years ago I was into photography but got busy with other things.  I really admire great photography.  It's an art form that many take for granted especially with the advent of cameras on  smartphones.  But it's so much more that pushing a button.  It can be addictive as is the case with any other fascinating hobby that often turns into a business.

Dec 19, 2023 09:35 AM
Janis Borgueta

The addiction for photography is real. I have also found that traveling to new places also contributes to that, especially safari. That is my most favorite!

Dec 19, 2023 12:29 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

My photographic skills have never risen above those needed for family photos of the kids growing up and documenting our lives. Now. all one needs is a phone/camera to do the things I used to do with my Canon.

I leave real estate photography to those who have much more skill than I so that it is down well for the benefit of my clients.

Dec 19, 2023 10:18 AM
Janis Borgueta

Funny thing is that when I sold my house three years ago I had someone unbiased come and photograph my home to make it less stressful for me. He was better at the residential shots and I could let him do his thing without getting in my own way of getting the marketing ready for primetime. It was hard for me to let go that way though. 🙂

Dec 19, 2023 12:31 PM