How to Choose a Great Real Estate Photographer
Quality photos are the backbone to any real estate marketing campaign. Most agents choose the DIY method and end up with mediocre results at best that do not showcase a property in the best possible light. The problem is that your first showing is now online! Consumers are gravitating to sites like Realtor.com and Zillow and the competition is fierce for their attention. Subpar quality photos do not lend themselves to winning this battle.
How can you improve your exposure and up the amount of virtual walkthroughs leading to more “real” showings? Hire a professional!
However, you still have one large obstacle to overcome even after deciding to hire a pro. There can be an enormous variance in the quality of a photographer, similar to the contrast that may occur in two REALTORS®. Just because they call themselves a pro, that doesn’t mean they are a capable candidate.
Please watch this important video about the questions to ask your “pro” and what to look for in a quality photographer. Mike Lefebvre of Meeting House Media provides some incredible insight to selecting someone right for you. Connect with him on Twitter or Facebook here after watching the video below!
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[...] How to Choose a Great Real Estate Photographer Quality photos are the backbone to any real estate marketing campaign. Most agents choose the DIY method and end up with mediocre results at best that do not showcase a property in the best possible light. The problem is that your first showing is now online! Consumers are gravitating to sites like Realtor.com and Zillow and [...] [...]
[...] How To Choose A Great Real Estate Photographer [Tech Savvy Agent] [...]
Hi Steve and Mike!Great overview on the subject of hiring a photographer. Good analysis, tips and information.Thank you!
[...] How To Choose A Great Real Estate Photographer [Tech Savvy Agent] [...]
Steve and Mike, what a great video. Very good information for everyone. I like the “lighting” tip at the end!
Great article and related video. I’m definitely going to share it on my LinkedIn page and FB site. Although a couple things you noted in the video are contrary with my experience:
When you discussed creating a presentation whether it’s a slide show or video, in the five years that I’ve been shooting real estate, I think I’ve only had a couple realtors request a video or slide show (this may just be a fluke with Seattle or Santa Barbara where I shoot). However, you made a great point that one can sort by video on Realtor.com which can definitely bring more exposure…something I’ll keep in mind. Many of the realtors I work with, however, mentioned studies that show the majority of buyers don’t have the patience to watch the slideshow/video. They usually click through each photo and know in a matter of seconds whether they are interested in the property or not. While the majority of those who do watch the entire video are those who have already viewed the property in person and are almost certain they wish to buy or at least make an offer. In those cases, they’re usually showing the video to friends or relatives.
Second, when mentioning maxing out the number of shots for the MLS. This might actually not be a good thing. I mainly work with high-end realtors and have discovered that the ones who are most successful typically live by the “less is more” theory. Those realtors want to show only the best features of a home, leaving the buyer wanting to see more. I’ve done many shoots where the home was gigantic, but the realtor only wanted to photograph a couple exteriors and just a few main rooms in order to pique more interest. On the flip side, some of the less experienced or less productive realtors wanted a photo of every single room regardless if it was photo worthy. I’ve even talked some realtors out of using shots of certain rooms such as garages, basements, utility rooms etc.. I think it can deter a buyer from wanting to see the home in person.
I agree with Buck Usher on the “less is more” theory. I’ve gotten away from the 40+ photos on MLS to just using the best photos of the best areas and features of the house. It always shows better on the web with the primo photos only.
[...] An interesting video featuring real estate photographer Mike Lefebvre of an interview that he had with Steve Pacinelli of techsavvyagent.com. [...]
[...] An interesting video featuring real estate photographer Mike Lefebvre of an interview that he had with Steve Pacinelli of techsavvyagent.com. [...]
[...] An interesting video featuring real estate photographer Mike Lefebvre of an interview that he had with Steve Pacinelli of techsavvyagent.com. [...]
[...] An interesting video featuring real estate photographer Mike Lefebvre of an interview that he had with Steve Pacinelli of techsavvyagent.com. [...]