This extreme example out of Sydney, Australia (http://petapixel.com/2016/02/16/real-estate-photo-illegal-false-advertising/) raises the question of what is ethical and what is not when it comes to editing images to hide unpleasant details about real estate listings.
Although the responsibility to disclose material facts about the home lies only with the home seller and their agent, we photographers must ask ourselves what, if any, alterations are acceptable when creating an image for Real Estate purposes.
At Pierre Galant photography, we have devised the following guidelines when it comes to this question:
It is acceptable to remove or enhance objects that are temporary such as parked cars, trash cans, toys, garden hoses, graffitti, or even yellow grass that would easily become green with some watering.
We also deem acceptable to remove permanent objects that obstruct the view of the home that we are trying to depict such as street lamps, power lines, tree branches etc.
What we do not remove are permanent features that do not hide the home, and are a material fact about the home itself -- Power lines and objects that obstruct the view from the home, presence of neighboring houses, cracks on the home and driveway etc.
And since the image from Australia also raises the question of sky replacement, we should note that we do practice sky replacement and enhancement when is adds visual interest to the photograph. Here is Los Angeles, the sky is so often bright blue, that we don't mind adding a few high clouds to break the monotony of an all-blue sky.
Take a look:
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Over 35 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World
Pierre Galant Photography has won “Best Of Photography” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. Pierre Galant Photogrphy was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.
“We are delighted that Houzz has recognized our efforts to far exceed the expectations of our customers”, said Pierre Galant, principal-photographer, “and even more delighted that our Architects, Designers and Real Estate agents felt us deserving of the award!”
“Home professionals recognize the value of professional photography in showcasing the quality of their work and in building their brands with the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re so pleased to recognize [Insert award winner name], voted one of our “Best Of” professionals for photography by our community of homeowners, home building, remodeling and design professionals, and design enthusiasts.”
Follow Pierre Galant Photography on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/pierregalantphotography/
About Pierre Galant Photography
Based in Los Angeles, Pierre Galant Photography provides high-quality images that depict spaces in such a way that an emotional connection is created with you and your brand. We also aim to democratize high-end photography by providing affordable and flexible services to best fit our client’s needs.
About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com
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Pierre Galant Photography Receives
Best Of Houzz 2015 Award
Over 25 Million Monthly Unique Users Rated Top-Rated Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in the United States and Around the World
Los Angeles, January 19, 2015 – Pierre Galant Photography has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The young Architectural, Interior Design and Real Estate Photography company was chosen by the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer Satisfaction. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers.” Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the world who discover and love a professional’s work to learn even more about that business’ popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz community.
“We are delighted that Houzz has recognized our efforts to far exceed the expectations of our customers”, said Pierre Galant, principal-photographer, “and even more delighted that our Architects, Designers and Real Estate agents felt us deserving of the award!”
“Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building, remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the right people and products for their project,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Pierre Galant Photography among our “Best Of” professionals as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”
Follow Pierre Galant Photography on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/pierregalantphotography/
About Pierre Galant Photography
Based in Los Angeles, Pierre Galant Photography provides high-quality images that depict spaces in such a way that an emotional connection is created with you and your brand. We also aim to democratize high-end photography by providing affordable and flexible services to best fit our client’s needs.
About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin and Sydney. For more information, visit www.houzz.com
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This post makes a strong statement, and perhaps a little harsh, but the harshest thing is that this is a real listing photo as it appears as of December 3, 2014 on the Multiple Listing Service.
Everything from the empty frame at the top, to the pink background, to the agent's bathroom "selfie" and to the toilet seat up demonstrate a total incompetence in the art of interior photography.
This is not an image from an MLS "out in the boonies somewhere."
It is right here, in DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. A city envied the word over for its production of beautiful images. A city where many potential buyers of real estate work in the industry that creates those images.
This occurs a full year after studies have been released that prove the efficacy of professional photography when marketing listings.
So there really are no excuses. Realtors, please just don't be that guy, have some self-respect and hire a professional photographer.
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This post makes a strong statement, and perhaps a little harsh, but the harshest thing is that this is a real listing photo as it appears as of December 3, 2014 on the Multiple Listing Service.
Everything from the empty frame at the top, to the pink background, to the agent's bathroom "selfie" and to the toilet seat up demonstrate a total incompetence in the art of interior photography.
This is not an image from an MLS "out in the boonies somewhere."
It is right here, in DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. A city envied the word over for its production of beautiful images. A city where many potential buyers of real estate work in the industry that creates those images.
This occurs a full year after studies have been released that prove the efficacy of professional photography when marketing listings.
So there really are no excuses. Realtors, please just don't be that guy, have some self-respect and hire a professional photographer.
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PIERRE GALANT PHOTOGRAPHY
Architectural + Interiors + Real Estate
"You are simply the best. I will never use another photographer!”
S.W., Coldwell Banker, Granada Hills
"Thank you so much for the amazing photos. Very much appreciate your energy on this project"
K.L., The Partners Trust, Santa Monic
"I just want to reiterate what a great job you did. You really know how to get the lighting and the angle just right. Sellers were very happy with them."
F.K., Coldwell Banker, Venice Beach
With most home buyers starting their search online today, the photographs you use are essentially your listing's "first showing".
Just like you would meticulously prepare the home for its first showing, it's important to invest in quality professional photography that will compel buyers to come see the home in the first place.
Look at the images here, can you see the difference? So will your buyers, and so will your happy sellers that will in turn refer you business over and over.
Of course, not every homeowner is is Martha Stewart and some homes may lead Realtors to think "Why even bother photographing this, let's just price the home low enough and hope it sells..."
This mentality goes back to the history of the Real Estate business, when inventory was kept hidden from the public at large in physical books that were only accessible to Realtors. The target audience for the marketing materials back then was fellow Realtors and so it made sense that their professional eye wouldn't need fancy photographs to discern which properties would be most suitable for their home buyers.
Today it is the consumers are who are the direct recipient of the marketing efforts. Let's face it, how often are Realtors made aware of the new inventory by their own clients?
There has been a change in target audience, and determining your target audience is the starting point of all marketing.
That's why according to Realtor.com, "The photos of your house, along with the pricing and listing description, determine whether or not your house is considered good enough for an in-person look, or placed on the “do-not-see” list. [...] Your house needs to put its best (square) foot forward! Otherwise, buyers-who are much more in control today of what houses they see and which ones they don’t-will eliminate it just by looking at the photos online."
Don't you think it's time you provide the professional guidance your sellers expect form the expert who's supposed to direct the marketing of their most expensive possession?
]]>
With most home buyers starting their search online today, the photographs you use are essentially your listing's "first showing".
Just like you would meticulously prepare the home for its first showing, it's important to invest in quality professional photography that will compel buyers to come see the home in the first place.
Look at the images here, can you see the difference? So will your buyers, and so will your happy sellers that will in turn refer you business over and over.
Of course, not every homeowner is is Martha Stewart and some homes may lead Realtors to think "Why even bother photographing this, let's just price the home low enough and hope it sells..."
This mentality goes back to the history of the Real Estate business, when inventory was kept hidden from the public at large in physical books that were only accessible to Realtors. The target audience for the marketing materials back then was fellow Realtors and so it made sense that their professional eye wouldn't need fancy photographs to discern which properties would be most suitable for their home buyers.
Today it is the consumers are who are the direct recipient of the marketing efforts. Let's face it, how often are Realtors made aware of the new inventory by their own clients?
There has been a change in target audience, and determining your target audience is the starting point of all marketing.
That's why according to Realtor.com, "The photos of your house, along with the pricing and listing description, determine whether or not your house is considered good enough for an in-person look, or placed on the “do-not-see” list. [...] Your house needs to put its best (square) foot forward! Otherwise, buyers-who are much more in control today of what houses they see and which ones they don’t-will eliminate it just by looking at the photos online."
Don't you think it's time you provide the professional guidance your sellers expect form the expert who's supposed to direct the marketing of their most expensive possession?
]]>
Sure, the market's been pretty hot and our Realtor clients have amazing skills. Among those skills, of course, is the art of marketing their seller's most important asset with the best photography.
So we looked up our sales records and crunched the numbers, and after hours of spread sheet building, the numbers are in...
Between September 2013 and September 2014, Realtors who have used our Pierre Galant Photography have seen their listings sell for an average of $7,258 over asking price!
The average home was listed just over $590,000, which means that the price increase represented 1.25% of the sales price.
That's 50% of the typical listing agent commission!
How would you like walking into a listing appointment knowing that half of your fee virtually pays for itself?
It's the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you're offering the best marketing for your clients.
The confidence to better compete for listings and even to justify a higher commission rate than your competition's.
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Sure, the market's been pretty hot and our Realtor clients have amazing skills. Among those skills, of course, is the art of marketing their seller's most important asset with the best photography.
So we looked up our sales records and crunched the numbers, and after hours of spread sheet building, the numbers are in...
Between September 2013 and September 2014, Realtors who have used our Pierre Galant Photography have seen their listings sell for an average of $7,258 over asking price!
The average home was listed just over $590,000, which means that the price increase represented 1.25% of the sales price.
That's 50% of the typical listing agent commission!
How would you like walking into a listing appointment knowing that half of your fee virtually pays for itself?
It's the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you're offering the best marketing for your clients.
The confidence to better compete for listings and even to justify a higher commission rate than your competition's.
The most successful brands never sell a product, they sell an emotional attachment to their brand.
The difference between successful Realtors with multiple monthly sales and those without, is that
instead of focussing on selling one home here and there, they have taken the time to develop their branding strategy to the point where consumers will ask specifically for their expertise, over and over.
The best Realtors are experts at integrating gorgeous photography in developing that lifestyle image. Check out some of our featured architecture and get inspired to take your business to the next level.
]]>
The most successful brands never sell a product, they sell an emotional attachment to their brand.
The difference between successful Realtors with multiple monthly sales and those without, is that
instead of focussing on selling one home here and there, they have taken the time to develop their branding strategy to the point where consumers will ask specifically for their expertise, over and over.
The best Realtors are experts at integrating gorgeous photography in developing that lifestyle image. Check out some of our featured architecture and get inspired to take your business to the next level.
]]>
Using the same established photographer than everyone in your area uses.
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Nothing makes you more of a commodity than doing exactly what everyone else does.
The images her are examples of the level of artistry we strive to achieve in our images. Such as climbing a huge hill in front of a home to better situate it in its environment. Or such as waiting for the ideal lighting in a backyard to show the spring foliage at its best.
.jpg)
That's the kind of attention to detail that will make your listings stand out and we strive
to deliver that result on every shoot.]]>
Using the same established photographer than everyone in your area uses.
Nothing makes you more of a commodity than doing exactly what everyone else does.
The images her are examples of the level of artistry we strive to achieve in our images. Such as climbing a huge hill in front of a home to better situate it in its environment. Or such as waiting for the ideal lighting in a backyard to show the spring foliage at its best.
That's the kind of attention to detail that will make your listings stand out and we strive
to deliver that result on every shoot.]]>
This is a very strange phenomenon to observe gentrification all over that area, yet somehow the local Realtors have been very slow to gentrify their own work standards. This link will take you to a slide show we did that shows that even million dollar listings are not getting proper exposure either.
If you're a DTLA Realtor reading this, please let us know what is the reason for that strange state of affairs.
If you're like us you see a tremendous opportunity to grow your business by farming in this area using superior photography. We'd definitely be interested in teaming up in righting this wrong! ]]>
This is a very strange phenomenon to observe gentrification all over that area, yet somehow the local Realtors have been very slow to gentrify their own work standards. This link will take you to a slide show we did that shows that even million dollar listings are not getting proper exposure either.
If you're a DTLA Realtor reading this, please let us know what is the reason for that strange state of affairs.
If you're like us you see a tremendous opportunity to grow your business by farming in this area using superior photography. We'd definitely be interested in teaming up in righting this wrong! ]]>
We attended an interesting conference for Realtors by Steve Shull of Performance coaching.
Steve made the point that Listing agents should charge more money for their services than Buyer's agents because not only were they instrumental in getting the home to the market, but also they were taking the upfront financial risk of paying for the marketing of the home.
He suggested a typical commission split of 6%, with 2.5% going to the buyer's agent and 3.5% going to the seller's agent.
Of course, such a scheme can only be convincing for sellers if the Realtor is able to present powerful examples of their marketing with gorgeous photography at its core.
On a typical $500k home, that extra .5% means and extra $2,500 commission, and we think $2,500 is well worth the couple hundred dollars invested in professional photography.
We attended an interesting conference for Realtors by Steve Shull of Performance coaching.
Steve made the point that Listing agents should charge more money for their services than Buyer's agents because not only were they instrumental in getting the home to the market, but also they were taking the upfront financial risk of paying for the marketing of the home.
He suggested a typical commission split of 6%, with 2.5% going to the buyer's agent and 3.5% going to the seller's agent.
Of course, such a scheme can only be convincing for sellers if the Realtor is able to present powerful examples of their marketing with gorgeous photography at its core.
On a typical $500k home, that extra .5% means and extra $2,500 commission, and we think $2,500 is well worth the couple hundred dollars invested in professional photography.
Redfin also has announced that it would cover the cost of professional photography on all their listings from now on.
Now, our question for the 85% of "full service" Realtors who still rely on their iPhone for listing photography. How exactly do you intend to compete with this value proposition? We think it's time that agents pledge to infuse the highest quality into all aspects of your marketing and we here to make this process affordable, and easy.
Redfin also has announced that it would cover the cost of professional photography on all their listings from now on.
Now, our question for the 85% of "full service" Realtors who still rely on their iPhone for listing photography. How exactly do you intend to compete with this value proposition? We think it's time that agents pledge to infuse the highest quality into all aspects of your marketing and we here to make this process affordable, and easy.
Last week we were contacted by home sellers who were furious that their agent hadn't delivered professional photos for their home as promised. Instead, their Realtor had lied and figured that she could have her point-and-shoot snapshots pass for high-end photography. After all, how hard could it be?
Trying to pull this off is like trying to get away with serving your spouse instant ramen for your anniversary dinner. Some things are just not going to fly...
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Last week we were contacted by home sellers who were furious that their agent hadn't delivered professional photos for their home as promised. Instead, their Realtor had lied and figured that she could have her point-and-shoot snapshots pass for high-end photography. After all, how hard could it be?
Trying to pull this off is like trying to get away with serving your spouse instant ramen for your anniversary dinner. Some things are just not going to fly...
]]>