real estate photography website

[aaskyscrapers]

hello everyone,

i just entered the real estate photography business about a month ago. I just created a website for my services, www.texaspropertyphotos.com (http://www.texaspropertyphotos.com)

I thought you guys could offer some feedback and criticism for the website design, functionality, and content. i still need to update the example page with a current portfolio.
Does the website look professional and trustworthy?

thank you!

[PhotosGuy]

I'm not a fan of leaning buildings & for some reason, the images on your site are loading very slow today. I killed the first one I tried after it was only half loaded after 2 minutes.
I'm thinking that the home page image is maybe a bit too generic? Something that makes them think, "I want that!" would be better?

[aaskyscrapers]

ah thanks, i will get those things fixed up.

[tracknut]

I don't know if it's normal in the Real Estate business, or where the statement comes from, but I find it rather unnerving to read "By viewing our website and using our services you agree to our Terms and Conditions" and then a big long contract that I need to agree to, *just to view the web site*. It certainly doesn't make me feel like browsing through your site! Perhaps there's a way to state what you actually mean here, in a less threatening way?

Dave

[aaskyscrapers]

ah yes thank you. i tried making it less threatening. ive had some legal problems in the past and like to make sure clients understand the terms and conditions

[Gatorboy]

I think you are way underpriced. $49.99 for 25 images? How long does it take you to drive to/from the home, take photos, process, and get them to your client? That's got to take 2 to 3 hours. This maxes you out at only 2 or 3 jobs per day.

I'd say you should be charging $150-$225 for that service.

There's a great group on Flickr that discusses Real Estate photography:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/photographyforrealestate/

[aaskyscrapers]

hmm interesting point gatorboy. i guess i priced it based on what i would pay someone, and i am a very cheap person. now that i do more research, 150 or so sounds more realistic.
i was also charging so little because of the only 2 months experience i have, do you think photos like the following are worth 150-225?
http://www.texaspropertyphotos.com/portfolio/gameroom.jpg
http://www.texaspropertyphotos.com/portfolio/study.jpg

[Gatorboy]

You've got nice images, but I suggest getting yourself some flashes (e.g. 285HVs at $89 each) and some pocket wizards and learn to use off-camera lighting. You can create some real nice images when using off-camera flashes properly.

Check out that Flickr Group -- hundreds of examples of interior shots using off-camera flashes. Scott Hargis (http://www.scotthargis.com/new/index.html) (Flickr Member also) has a great gallery of images to give you some ideas.

[delhi]

So are you really "Houston's number one Real Estate Photographer"?
The site is a bit too cluttered. The price is a bit low for the deliverables. RE photography is part of my business offerings, only put up your very best photos. Keep it simple and clean.

[aaskyscrapers]

i updated the homepage with this image:
http://www.texaspropertyphotos.com/rice%20university%20small.jpg

what do yall think of it now?

[S.Horton]

The upsides of 'small' ----

New = sell "fresh approach" -- "affordable, flexible" -- "prompt, courteous, on-time service" "easy to do business with"

You need something to differentiate as well, such as photos from the air, virtual web tours, etc -- that approach also leads to a 'premium' potential in pricing (upsides).

About the site -- no sugar coating; if you hired a pro marketing/web firm, they'd find this kind of common marketing angle fast --> They'd have you cite a compelling, and well-known industry source which suggests WHY Realtors need your services, and why good service must be important (and worth way more than you charge)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=National+Association+of+Realtors+reports+that+mo re+than+80%25+of+home+buyers+are+starting+their+se arch+online&btnG=Google+Search

And, of course, you've got company, but that's ok -- use them -- Note what they SELL, because they're probably advertising what they make money on.
http://www.texasrealestatephotography.com

(Should I go back into marketing consulting...... meh.......:eek:)

The cheapest thing for you to do is to surf the web (for a long time) to locate the most successful, best-run and keenly presented Real Estate and Architecture photography firms in the USA, then 'copy' what they do in as many ways as possible, including the look/feel of your website. As you do the surfing, note what they charge. (Flip side: note what the most confident firms do -- do the top firms list prices? they don't = you don't either)

Now watch out -- I'm not in that business, and this advice must, by definition, be worth exactly what you paid for it. ;)

[S.Horton]

Another random thought -- consider HDR for your work, it really can pop, eh?

BTW, Real Estate Agencies have LESS money and clout than the land and property developers -- (I know a few of them) -- Like these firms. When you commence your direct mail campaign, don't leave them off the list!
http://www.aacre.com/

[aaskyscrapers]

ah thanks! that helps a lot

[bcdoug]

you might want to ask real estate agents these questions, as they are your market.

keep in mind that the photos you take for an agent, if they end up in the mls system, can be severely restricted in size and quality. the mls host will have an individual and total file size limit. if they end up on an agent's personal web site for a direct sale it's a different story.

[S.Horton]

I think his market is the set of buyers of real estate and architectural imaging who are willing to take a chance on an upstart.

IMO he need to get a 'wow' when they see his work and only gets one shot at an impression.

And my guess in that market is that getting in won't be easy -- They all know each other.

So, he needs a very good penetration strategy at a reasonable cost.

For some reason, I'm interested in how this one sorts out. Something about the OP's attitude strikes me as hard-working and willing to learn. Honestly, very refreshing, compared to 8 of 10 Gen Y we have at work right now.

Go get 'em!

[aaskyscrapers]

i think i will learn how to do HDR tonight and test it out... im guessing those photos will give a nice Wow when they first see those on the website.

[S.Horton]

So, you plan to keep the website you have now?

If so:
1. Cut the size of the banner by about 60% vertically
2. Stop all content right after the section about 'photo quality'
3. Dump the banner at the bottom
4. Make the portfolio an absolute knock-out

FWIW

[aaskyscrapers]

thanks, i just made the changes you suggested...all i have to do now is make a knock out portfolio.

do you think the image on the frontpage is appealing enough? or should i take a better one of something else?

[bcdoug]

hit up the real estate board, or at least a broker, and see what they think.

going to the board also allows you to sell your services board wide, not to individual agents.

the board then mandates what minimums the brokers and agents must adhere to.

[Scarter275]

It might just be me but

"We also enhance all the photos we take using sophisticated software such as Photoshop and paint shop pro."

I would take out the paint shop pro, or at least capitalize it.

You could just say "We enhance every photo with Adobe Photoshop software" or something like that.

[aaskyscrapers]

thanks for all the comments, i corrected most of the things mentioned.