I shot another house today, yes it’s a Saturday, I should be out with the family, but there is so much demand right now for good real estate video here in Phoenix – I am now working 6 days a week. Well, its actually more like 1. Ya see, Monday thru Friday I work for a title company. I shoot my clients real estate listing videos, help them with their real estate marketing (WordPress real estate websites, social media for BUSINESS) and they use me for title. Pretty good deal. But sometimes, like today, I get hired by a real estate agent that absolutely LOVES their escrow officer and will in no way, shape or form use any other. In those cases, I shoot real estate videos for them on weekends – for a fee. You can see my real estate video cost sheet here. Today was one of those cases.
Today’s video was in the community of Finesterra at Valencia, a gated community in south Chandler. The home, beautiful, was right inside, to the right of the gate. At almost 4,000 square feet, it was a big one. Have you ever been inside a house where everything looked perfect? That was this house. Beautiful hand carved wood floors, custom tile, 2 fireplaces. The kitchen had stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a large gas range. I LOOVE gas ranges, I love them in part because I have an electric one and believe me when I tell you, if you cook, there is no substitute for gas. NONE. I wish I could have gas.
The backyard was like being at the JW Marriot Desert Ridge without leaving home. Beautiful pool with 3 water features, a raised patio overlooking the pool and a large yard with mature landscaping. Mature yards are awesome, they add so much personality and character to the otherwise drab of the desert – there is so much BROWN, we need more GREEN! Check out the video below.
This home was a pleasure to shoot.
When I was almost done, the real estate agent mentioned pictures would be taken on Monday by a rather well known company here in the valley. She casually mentioned, “I wish you did pictures” to which I replied, “I have been practicing my photography, it’s still not where I want it to be but if you want me to shoot some pictures for you, I will do it for free”. I was already there so why not. Besides, if the pictures came out good, I could use them in my portfolio or a blog post like this one, and if they sucked, well, they were free and everyone knows, you get what you pay for.
So I took about 25 photos. For feedback I showed them to the agent “here take a look at these, they are not color corrected yet but what do you think?”. OH. MY. GAWD. STEPHEN, they look great! she said. So, long story short, my real estate photography skills aren’t where I would like them to be but they are obviously good enough for this agent, so I’ve decided I will now be offering photo packages for the real estate agents I shoot for on the weekends. It will give me the practice I need, shooting different styles – flash, bounce, HDR, ambient light etc – different homes, different lighting conditions, etc. I guess it’s a win/win. So if you are a real estate agent here in Phoenix that want’s a KILLER real estate video for a listing and some “OK” pictures (they will be awesome soon) – I think I am your guy. Oh and in case you were wondering, I finished the shoot today with enough time to make Gabriella’s volleyball game and Hondo’s Karate. Phew… momma (Mrs G) wouldn’t have liked it at all if I didn’t make it, ya know.
Contact Us