Frequently Asked Questions:
When do I get my photos?
You will get your photos within 24 hours of the property being shot, but could get them as quickly as 1-2 hours. In the past I have done my shoots during the day and edited at night, but recently I have hired an editor and developed a new workflow. Immediately following the shoot I upload the RAW files to my editor’s queue. As soon as the images are processed, the finished product will be delivered right to you!
How do I receive my photos?
You will get an email with a zip file attached that contains specifically sized images that match common MLS standards and are compressed to load quickly onto the web.
Inside the email there will also be a link to a Flickr album. This is where you will go if you want to download the high quality version of your photos. If you hover your mouse over the cover photo of your listing, a downward arrow will pop up. Simply click the arrow to download the big files.
Flickr is a free platform that displays photos in a clear and beautiful way. You do not have to create an account to access your albums, but I do encourage it. Each agent will have their own “collection” under which I will organize every single one of their listings by property address. The albums are easy to share on social media, and will serve as an online portfolio that can be used as a personal archive or marketing tool.
If you prefer Google drive, Dropbox, or some other form of delivery please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate you.
Can I call before I book to guarantee the date and time of my photoshoot?
Yes, in fact I encourage it. As I have many agents requesting photography, calling beforehand to find out what I have available is a good idea. When you book your date and time through the website without calling first, it is not always 100% guaranteed to fit into my schedule. But I do guarantee that I will get a hold of you within the hour to figure out what works best for both of us. Texting is fine as well!
Also, follow-through is extremely important in locking in the date and time of your shoot. If you call or text requesting availability, please confirm within at least 2 hours if we are on. If you haven’t booked your shoot within a timely manor, I will be obligated to give that time slot to the agent who did. It is my goal to be flexible as well respectful to every one of my clients, and this will help me greatly.
Do I have to pay through your website?
You do not have to. I will also accept cash or check at the time of the shoot.
Do you have lockbox access?
Yes, I have Suprakey access through the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors.
Do I need to be present during the shoot?
I can do whatever works best for you. If the house is empty, no problem. If the homeowner would like to be there, that’s great! If you’d like to be hands on and make suggestions, feel free to to follow me as I shoot the home.
I love working independently, but I also enjoy showing my agents what I’m capturing through the lens. I do my best to honor each of my clients' personal styles.
Do you help with the staging process?
I am more than happy to help declutter rooms, move garbage cans, clear away newspapers, tv remotes and the like.
I don’t mind moving furniture and cleaning up parts of the home, but these bigger tasks are generally quite time consuming when I have a full day of shoots scheduled. The best remedy for this situation is to have several hands on deck for moving items from room to room in a speedy fashion. If you predict that the photoshoot may take longer than average, let me know in advance. I understand how important the staging process is and if you need my help, I will certainly schedule accordingly.
Here is a basic guideline for preparing the home for a perfect photoshoot:
Interior
• Turn on all interior lights & lamps
• Open all curtains & blinds
• De-clutter & organize mantles, shelves and tabletops
• Clear off counter tops in kitchen and bathroom areas
• Remove photos, notes and papers from the refrigerator
• Turn ceiling fans and televisions off
• Make all beds and tidy bathrooms
• Remove piles of newspaper and magazines
• Tuck trash cans out of view in a closet or cupboard
Exterior
• Remove all vehicles from driveways and from in front of the house
• Mow or rake yard
• Move garbage cans out of sight
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and patios
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me. I look forward to working with you!