Atlanta Home Staging Company: Getting it Right Matters!

I just scrolled through several of your posts, and your photography is enviable.  Can I ask what camera/settings you're using?

Great job Kathy - the photos are one of the hardest things about our job!  I am about to partner with a pro so I can deliver better quality!  Love your work!

Kathy ~ Those mirrors will get you every time! Luckily, you realized it right away.  I have started viewing my photos on the camera right after I take them to make sure nothing stands out that shouldn't.

Great advice Kathy!  Your photos are always stunning and I appreciate any hints for producing better photos.  Always seems like you are taking tons of photos then you get home and you just don't have the right shot.  I will take your advice and take MORE photos too. 

Mirrors and lamp cords; the work of the devil for staging pictures. My partner and I now have an agreement that before I start snapping away, she does a "cord patrol" through the house to get them tucked away!  Pretty staging by the way.

Kathy:  I always amazed what I see in the photos we take.  The smallest things always seem to show up in the photos.  We have learned to always take way tooooo many photos of the project from  all different angles.  We take an average of about 80-100 photos of each project and go back and go through to find the best.  We recently got a great camera and one of our designers has an extensive photo background.  Great use of foreground/background in your shots.

have a great day from the Pacific Northwest

Kathy - Very attractive photos. Mirrors are very popular over here so this is something I always have to watch for. Nicely done!

Mike

Kathy - Nice angles.  Interesting how such a subtle change will set your photos apart from those of the typical agent.

Kathy you know how much I envy your photos and I smiled that you have also have to redo and retake.  Love the oopsie. 

Which camera did you use for these shots?  I'm getting closer everyday to making a digital SLR camera purchase, not just for business but for pleasure too.  I've decided that photography is a hobby that I should to revisit and my point and shoots just don't cut it. 

Hey stranger!

Long time no see, speak or have coffee? Hope all is well!

And as everyone else said...awesome photos!

Hi, Margaret.  Thanks for your kind words. I'm using a Nikon D90 and typical set it to Auto.  The added flash too has really helped to make a difference.

Sheila - Good for you for partnering with a professional photographer.  You're going to love the difference it makes with your portfolio.

Kathy P - Those mirrors can be tricky!  Fortunately, I knew immediately after I had taken the photo what I had done.  

Michele - Like Todd above, I take LOTS of photos thereby increasing the amount of "good" shots from which to select.

Todd - It's smart to take that many photos!  The designer with the extensive photography background is surely going to help as well.  Good for you!

Mike - I love mirrors especially in small spaces.  However, they do pose a problem on occasion with photos.  Fortunately, I caught the mistake immediately.

Thanks, Jim.

Ginger - You can't, in my opinion, go wrong with a Nikon.  It's an incredible piece of equipment and well worth the price.  Keep me posted on your decision.

Thom - I owe you a call.  I've been busy (which is great) and need to make the time to see you!  I promise I'll call you.

Kathy

Cute post and great advise-mirrors will get us every time if we are not careful and so will our cameras!  Sometimes my staging bins are still in the entry and I get those in my photos and I scream when I get home!

I've been trying to decide what kind of camera to get next.  Any tips when picking one out?  I'm not sure if I'm ready to spend quite as much as you might have on the Nikon D90. Thanks!

I'm getting more and more aware of this, sometimes, I'll get a dog or the homeowner.  If its's in the before I don't really care, but the after makes a huge difference.

Nice pictures.  I have taken rooms before and if there is not a person in the mirror-there is a big splash of light from the flash.  With digital cameras today-why not take a lot of pictures and different angles.  Thanks for sharing!   

I need not only take better pictures.  But take more pictures. I have just plain forgotten to take them.

Digital cameras really do leave me no excuse for not taking lots of pictures, and I find that I take more pictures with every house we do, as I get ideas for different kinds of shots. Your lovely photos give me even more ideas. Thanks!

Hey Kathy,

Those mirrors are a nightmare, I love when I take the pic and then see my tired, not so staged self in the pic, LOL..great job as always..I am staging a house this afternoon and I just packed the SAME CLEAR COFFEE CUPS...love them. Try adding some coffee beans in them for that fresh brewed smell.

I have taken large clear glass plain vases, filled with fresh coffee beans and stuck pillar candle in center. Builder said many clients commented on the smell.

Phyllis Pafumi

Kathy - wonderful photos as always!

I took the plunge and bought a new wide angle lens camera last week from Costco. So far so good! Love the difference the wide angle makes. Will take my first staging shots with it today. Hope they are as good as yours!

It's not unusual for me to take over a 100 pictures for a single home, but I still want to improve my photo skills.  I also always need to make sure I am effectively marketing the room, not just my staging :-))  I am just starting to focus on photographing vignettes to add to my portfolio as well.  What good is all our hard work without fantastic pics to show it off!

Hi Kathy,  terrific shots.  I just bought a Nikon D80, wide lens and speedlight.  Hoping my shots turn out well.

My biggest downfall with photography is that I tend to get right into moving things before getting the "before" picture.  I can't tell you how many times I've done it.  I carry the camera in the house, get talking and start working on the rooms....and realize I didn't get any photos.

I'm getting better, but I have to really work at remembering.

Sharon-- that's funny-- I have done the same thing!  I have actually "de-staged" in order to get the before picture :-))  It usually happens when I'm so excited about my "vision" for the room that I can't wait to get started!

Kathy ~ I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone with this issue.  I take a ton of pictures and still keep my fingers crossed that I'll end up with just the right shot.  And mirrors can be especially tricky. Great job on your final shots!

I keep thinking I need to find the time to take a photography class, maybe that would make my picture taking more efficient.

And Sharon and Michele, I have had to de-stage many times because I started moving things around right away.  It must be a stager affliction!

Yep, been there, done that!  I have also held the  camera against the edge of a wall, stood around the corner and snapped. I can retouch my little camera and a few fingers out, but the whole body is another story! =o)

Those pesky little details - a misplaced pillow, a trash can, cords you could have hidden, etc.

Good post.  It's easy to get caught up in the photography and overlook things like this.  A good reminder for all.

Even a pro misses sometimes, but he/she can usually save it with Photoshop.

Michael

Great shots Kathy. Let me know if you need any pro help with your photos.... I have been working with a few local agents in the Atlanta area for rentals and resales. You might try HDR instead of flash.... I have been slowly going away from flash. Here are a few shots from a recent listing down at the Mayfair in the downtown Atlanta.

Your photos are incredible, Anthony. I especially like the first one of the kitchen.  It looks like it should be in a magazine.  

I'll have to give you a call as a) I would love to learn more about photographer and how to use my camera and b) I have several stagings where the agent is looking for a professional photographer.

I'll be in touch.

Kathy

Kathy,

 Thanks for the great compliments. Its been a long road for photo learning. I started out with film and photographing weddings (10 and 12 hr days) in Chicago. But really fell in love with the real estate photography when I moved into digital. I go between using flash and no flash at all on my real estate photos. It all depends on the amount of light I'm working with.

I would be more than happy to teach you a few things about photography. And I will not hold it against you for shooting with a Nikon (LOL).. Just kidding... With a few short tips, I bet I can have you taking wonderful photos also.

I currently work with a few real estate agents in the Atlanta area now, but am more than willing to work with more and would love the opportunity to network with great home stagers like yourself. With a combo like your great home staging and a few photo tips, your photos will look amazing.

Anthony

I would agree with Anthony that using HDR type of photography rather than flash photos is much more natural and presents more of a magazine style photography.  One home I used HDR instead of flash turned out light, bright and airy.  The Realtor's attempt with their compact camera yielded pictures that were narrow and dark, nearly impossible with that equipment.

As a professional real estate photographer in the Portland, Oregon area, I am amazed that more Realtors don't realize the importance of great photos.  With so many homes on the market and a very high percentage of people using the Internet for research, jumping from one listing to another is simply requires one mouse click.

How many sales have been lost due to poor representation because of poor pictures.  Just think that one tap of the finger could cost $3000!!  I typically take 75 to 200 photos in order to give the Realtor choices.  But that also requires several hours (many times way too many hours) on the computer adjusting and making them as perfect as possible.

For those Realtors who really have that kind of time and also the interest then you'll need the right equipment.  If you buy a compact camera, then look for one that has a wide angle lens of at least 28mm.  I use a 10-22mm zoom for my photos but also use a Canon DSLR.  Also, shooting in RAW allows you to later make all kinds of adjustments to the photo without losing quality.

I typically only charge $99 to $125 to shoot a home under 3500 sq ft and produce top quality magazine style photos.  That seems like a bargain, but not a bargain for a home in which the commission will be low, so it would be understandable if a Realtor wanted to take their own photos.

Contact me for advice on camera equipment, taking photos and of course to discuss hiring me for your next sale.  http://InspiredLogicPhotography.com

Terry

Terry - I couldn't agree with you more.  I do believe that there have been many missed sales opportunities (homes not  sold) simply because they failed to have great photos. Most of the agents I work with here in Atlanta do use a professional photographer.  However, there are a few that do not.  As for my photography skills; well, I have the right equipment (Nikon D90) but could definitely benefit from a wide angle lens.  I also could use a lesson (or two, three, etc...) on what settings I should be using.

Thanks for your comment.

Kathy

LOL...

Kathy, this is an example of using HDR type of photography.  It is really three exposures blended into one.  With your Nikon D90 and a tripod, you could also get the same results both for exterior and interior photos.  However, it does require approximately 4 to 6 min. per photo on the computer later to make all the right adjustments.  Most of it is not knowing the software but simply what looks good to you.

For interior shots, I have a tripod that is like a mono stick (like a walking stick) with three legs on the bottom that quickly fold out.  Using a tripod is critical as all three shots have to be nearly identical to avoid blurring.  Photomatrix Pro is popular for doing this and is what I use.

If you want to stick with flash, then I definitely recommend adding a flash unit to your DSLR and bounce the flash of the ceiling or walls.  You'd also need to throw light forward so usually finding a flash attachment that will do that will be necessary.  If you do this, you'll find that the light is spread more evenly and is softened as well.  But be careful about colored walls, which will add a tint to the picture.

Try under exposing by 1/2 to 1 stop when using your flash, which will make the colors pop and produce better results.  If you use a low ISO setting such as 100 or less, then your flash has to work harder to expose the room and depending on your flash, may not be powerful enough to light the dark shadows in the corners.  Using ISO 200 or higher will extend the reach of your flash.

Bottom line is: Flash photos in a home isn't natural and can be difficult to deal with with various temperatures of light such as florescents (blue), tungsten (yellow) and sunshine, all of which are different colors.  Avoiding flash and using HDR or even LDR photography is the way to go in most situations.

Terry

Terry- Great work... I love using HDR for my real estate photos.

Kathy- Let's talk. I have a few quick tips that will make finding your correct exposure a real snap.