No kidding...I pulled up this page to write an entry about before and after photos. (Agent photos versus my professional services). As I was doing this I received an email from a client asking me to reduce the price on one of their virtual tours. It just so happens that this particular home was the subject for my before and after comparison (eerie). Really quick, I checked the public MLS site to make sure that all of the photos had been updated since I did the shoot (over two months ago), and guess what ALL OF THE REALTORS ORIGINAL PHOTOS ARE STILL THERE! (Sorry...Not screaming...just a bit bewildered) I mean, it's great to go through the motions of hiring a photographer to shoot your listings, but if you are not going to update the pictures on the MLS, what's the point?! Included with all of my shoots is a CD containing high-resolution images that my agents can use to update the MLS, their personal websites, and any other marketing they are doing.
Okay, sorry for rambling. I take a lot of pride in what I do and part of that comes from knowing that I am helping my clients to look like the true professionals I consider them to be.
A 2007 study released by the National Association of Realtors, showed that 84% of home-buyers start their search on the internet. Hiring a professional photographer is a key part of marketing your listing. But after you have done that, please please please UPDATE your listing with the new and improved photos.
Below are the agents photos (which are what currently represent this home online) and the photographs I took during the virtual tour shoot.
I chose these two images because they are both bathroom shots. Bathrooms can be among the most difficult thing to shoot in a home. They can be cramped, cluttered, and have tons of mirrors (one of the biggest no-no's is capturing yourself in a mirror when shooting). Mirrors can be your worst enemy, or your best friend. It's all about how you use them. Notice that in the top image, the agent chose to go into the bathroom and shoot back at the vanity. Thereby, cropping out the fabulous tub and shower. In my image, I used the mirror to allow viewers to see the shower.
The bottom image is a much smaller bathroom. While shooting through a door can sometimes be the only way to get anything more than the sink, it is important that the door NOT be part of the image. This makes the room seem closed off. Move your camera just a bit closer, until the door frame is completely out of your viewfinder. This will help prevent the shot from feeling cramped.
I hope this is helpful and I apologize for the little rant above.
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