12 Ways to Use Your Headshot, Lifestyle & Branding Images

Over the last 8 years, I’ve seen realtors leverage their brand photos across various platforms and marketing channels to enhance their visibility and establish a strong professional image, but many don’t know where to start. This email contains an exhaustive list of opportunities to make your presence known and trusted. 

1. Business Website:

Homepage: Feature high-quality brand photos on the homepage to make a strong first impression.

About Us Page: Showcase team members and office spaces to build trust and credibility.

Contact Page: Include professional headshots for a personalized touch.

2. Social Media:

Facebook: Create a professional Facebook business page and regularly update the profile and cover photos.

Instagram: Share visually appealing brand photos to engage with a broader audience.

LinkedIn: Utilize professional headshots and team photos for individual profiles and the company page.

3. Online Listings:

Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.: Enhance property listings with professional photos of the realtor and team.

MLS (Multiple Listing Service): Ensure that professional headshots are included in your FMLS settings for your OneHome portal.

4. Email Signatures:

Incorporate a professional headshot and company logo in email signatures to make emails more personal and memorable.

5. Printed Marketing Materials:

Business Cards: Feature a professional headshot and contact information on realtor business cards.

Brochures and Flyers: Use brand photos to create eye-catching marketing materials for distribution.

6. Office Branding:

Office Entrance: Display large, high-quality photos in the office entrance or lobby.

Conference Rooms: Decorate conference rooms with framed team photos.

7. Local Publications:

Real Estate Magazines: Submit brand photos for inclusion in local real estate publications.

Community Newspapers: Share team achievements and updates with local newspapers.

8. Billboards and Outdoor Advertising:

Use professional photos on billboards and outdoor advertising spaces to attract attention in the local community.

9. Online Advertising:

Google Ads: Create visually appealing ads with brand photos for online advertising campaigns.

Social Media Ads: Utilize brand photos in targeted advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

10. Presentations and Webinars:

Incorporate professional headshots and team photos in presentations and webinars for a personal touch.

11. Networking Events:

Event Banners: Use brand photos on banners and displays at industry conferences and networking events.

Sponsorship Materials: Include brand photos in sponsorship materials for community events.

12. For Sale Signs:

Customize For Sale signs with professional photos of the realtor or team for a personalized touch.

By strategically placing brand photos across these various platforms, you can build a consistent and recognizable brand, fostering trust and making a positive impact on potential clients and partners. 

I hope you found the list of branding photo placements useful and were inspired to make 2024 your most profitable year! I am cheering you on!

"Why Professional Real Estate Photography Matters"

In the fast-paced world of real estate, first impressions matter more than ever. With potential buyers scrolling through countless listings online, the visual appeal of a property plays a crucial role in capturing their attention. One key element that can make or break a property listing is the quality of the photographs. In this blog post, we explore why professional real estate photography matters and how it can significantly impact the success of a property sale.

1. First Impressions Count: When it comes to real estate, the saying "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" holds true. Potential buyers often decide whether a property is worth further consideration within the first few seconds of viewing the listing. High-quality, professional photographs can make a property stand out, enticing potential buyers to explore further.

2. Highlighting Key Features: Professional photographers have the expertise to showcase a property's key features in the best possible light. Whether it's the spacious living room, modern kitchen, or a stunning view, these features can be accentuated through careful composition and lighting techniques. At Buell Productions we use flash photography in every home from the smallest to the largest.

3. Creating Emotional Connections: Real estate is not just about square footage and room numbers; it's about creating a home. Professional photographers have the skill to capture the warmth and ambiance of a property, allowing potential buyers to connect emotionally. Professional photos help potential buyers envision themselves in the space, increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

4. Building Trust and Credibility: A listing with high-quality, professional photographs conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail from the seller and the Real Estate Agent. It signals to potential buyers that the seller is serious about presenting the property in the best possible way. This, in turn, builds trust and credibility, essential factors in the competitive real estate market.

5. Standing Out in Online Searches: In the digital age, 95%+ of homebuyers begin their search online. Professional real estate photography can help a listing stand out among the sea of thumbnails and grab the attention of potential buyers. Properties with eye-catching photos are more likely to receive higher click-through rates and, consequently, more inquiries.

6. Faster Sales and Higher Prices: Studies have shown that listings with professional photographs tend to sell faster and at higher prices than those without. The investment in professional photography can yield significant returns by attracting more potential buyers and creating a positive perception of the property's value.

Conclusion:

In the competitive real estate market, where online visibility is paramount, professional real estate photography is not just a luxury but a necessity. It is an investment that pays off by capturing attention, creating emotional connections, and ultimately leading to faster sales at better prices. Sellers and real estate professionals who prioritize the visual presentation of a property are better positioned to succeed in today's dynamic and visually-driven real estate landscape.

In the News

As a female producer, shooter and editor I’m thrilled to be selected to be the choice video production company to shoot for The Carter Scally Team and Christy Scally Carter as she hosts American Dream TV.

Read all about the exciting new adventure here.

How to Use a Gimbal and iPhone to Make Smooth Video for Your Real Estate Listings

Everyone says ‘Do More Video” But Where do you start?

We use this gimbal and wireless mic/audio to record agents walking through their new listing.

You insert your smart phone into the gimbal (which keeps your phone stable). SO! No more shaky video! And with the wireless audio- you can hear clearly and no screaming from a distance!

For the best results have two people- one behind the camera/gimbal and one in front. With the wireless mics the Agent can be at the front door while the camera is at the end of the driveway so you can see the entire house.

Here’s a rough script outline:

Intro- Who you are- the brokerage you are with and the address of the property. (If you’re posting in the MLS don’t mention your name or brokerage it will flag your video and kick it out just welcome the viewer and say the address name.)

Highlights - What are three to five main points you want to make about the home? Think about the main selling features. Normally we enter the home and talk about the entry way- the main living- kitchen and then end in the back yard.

Outro- Remember to put a call to action in your video. What do you want your viewer to do next? Many of our clients use these videos to promote their open house coming up - and to send out the video to the database and brokerages for coming soon.

Posting- We suggest you reuse this content by adding it to your Instagram Grid, Reels, Stories and Facebook, email and host on Youtube or Vimeo and create a link back into your virtual tour area on the MLS system you’re using.

If you’d like to take some training on setting up the gimbal, composition and more detailed information of how to shoot Sign Up for our class.

We are 2021 Telly Award Winners!!!

Buell Productions Earns Silver Telly in The 42nd Annual Telly Awards

 CUMMING, Ga. – May 25, 2021 – Buell Productions announced today its Vision Real Estate Group Branding Campaign has been named Silver Telly Award Winner for Social Video Series-Series: Products & Services in the 42nd Annual Telly Awards. 

Watch the award winning videos!

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks and production companies, including Netflix, Dow Jones, Duplass Brothers Productions, Complex Networks, A&E Networks, Hearst Media, Nickelodeon, ESPN Films, RYOT, Partizan and Vimeo.

“In the face of a year like no other, Buell Productions has continued to defy the limitations of our new world, in continuing to create compelling and engaging work,” said Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “This year’s submissions doubled down on what we already know about the industry. Creativity cannot be stopped. Collaboration will always prevail. New ideas and stories will always find a way to break through to an audience.”

Margaret Buell-D’Ambrosi, owner of Buell Productions, was thrilled to receive the award produced for their client The Vision Real Estate Group. “This piece of work highlights a team of real estate agents who go above and beyond to serve our veterans,” explained Buell-D’Ambrosi. “And this win isn’t just our work. It’s the work of a whole team.”

Vision Real Estate Group worked with Ahndea May, Elevate Branding Agency owner and Assistant Team leader for Keller Williams Peachtree Road, Atl, Ga., to pinpoint their value proposition and the pillars that make up their brand. She specializes in helping real estate agents dig deep into their personal stories to show how they separate themselves, and their brands, from other realtors. 

May added, “It is important for agents to have a digital presence to connect and communicate with their people. Capturing an authentic voice through digital content is a process and takes development and collaboration. And when your brand is connected to a marketing strategy you have unlimited growth.” 

Buell Productions works alongside the agency and its clients to develop a completely customized script, framing a unique approach to each video message and highlighting the heart of each agent’s brand. 

Buell-D’Ambrosi said, “We take the branding message and creative vision from Elevate and bring it to life. The process is incredibly rewarding for all of us and it is a true collaboration on all parts. The Vision Real Estate Group has lived life, faced challenges, are authentic, and eager to help others- those stories are compelling.” 

Today’s awards announcement caps a year-long celebration of creators defying incredible odds, including geography and developing fully remote pipelines for dispersed teams. These filmmakers embraced new platforms to increase awareness about injustices and promote solidarity for social justice movements. 

This year also saw the continued expansion of new categories to reflect and celebrate new forms of producing work in light of the past year’s restrictions and limitations. New categories included Remote Production, Virtual Events & Experiences and an increase in animation categories. 

The Telly Awards attracted more than 12,000 entries from top video content producers including Adobe, Adult Swim, the BBC, Condé Nast, J. Paul Getty Museum, PBS, Playstation, RadicalMedia, T Brand Studio, Ogilvy & Mather and The Walt Disney Company. The full list of the 42nd Annual Telly Awards winners can be found at www.tellyawards.com/winners.

Watch the team react to their win!

About Buell Productions, LLC

Buell Productions is based in North Metro Atlanta and owned by Mississippi State graduate, Margaret Buell-D’Ambrosi. She is a College of Arts and Sciences 2002 graduate with a degree in Broadcasting and Public Relations. Her real-life experience in videography spans the globe having worked on 4 continents. She is a past Telly Award winner and loves to dance and cook healthy dinners with her husband, Matt, in her spare time. 

Please contact Margaret Buell-D’Ambrosi, owner  of Buell Productions for inquiries: margaret@buellproductions.com. 

About The Telly Awards

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include Ghetto Film School, We Are Parable, LAPPG, NAB, Stash, Storyhunter, NYWIFT, Production Hub, IFP and Social Media Week.

Find The Telly Awards Online:

• Website: www.TellyAwards.com

• Facebook: /TellyAwards

• Twitter: @TellyAwards

• Instagram: @TellyAwards

• YouTube: /TellyAwards

For media inquiries, contact: 

Margaret Buell-D’Ambrosi

margaret@buellproductions.com

How to Create a Smart Home or Business

Well, to be honest, this is more about a great company that will be able to help you create your smart home or smart business.

We just wrapped up shooting a very cool project with Phoenix Systems in Alpharetta, Georgia.

They came to us to help them showcase their Design Studio and what it looks like inside.

They have this beautiful office space equipped with examples of their smart home technologies and people can’t see it right now because of Covid-19.

Phoenix Systems Entry way

So, what’s a visual company to do? Hire a videographer!!

If we could capture what their space looks like, and you can see a few of the products they offer, maybe you want to reach out to them to see how they can help you achieve your smart home dreams?

My personal favorites are the automated blinds, the art work that turns into a TV, the TV in the mirror and the 8k TV. Hum, I like TV’s, yes.

I also am super impressed with the racks that take all the wires and neatly organize them for the best possible clean look.

Artwork that turns into a television

I should also mention this to all my Realtors out there.

If you need a place to host an event, they encourage it! Right now they are only able to accommodate small gatherings, but you could host a thank you event in their showroom and wow your people with what new technologies are out there for their homes. Or maybe you’re a commercial agent and your builders need to know a great company that can help them integrate the newest technologies.

So without further ado, please go take a peak at their space in the video (these are just iPhone photos and I really want you to see the 4k footage!)

If you want to host an event or need to get in contact with them, reach out to Arlene Seifert at aseifert@phoenixsystems.tv

She’s happy to talk with you about ALL the integrations they have to offer.

Buell Productions Policy Update - COVID-19

Hi everyone, 

I know many small business are trying to do their best to keep their employees and customers safe, and we are doing the same.

From today, March 17th 2020, I will be taking some new precautions during shoots. I’m going to do everything to keep myself and your clients safe as I go in and out of homes.

With the new CDC recommendation of groups less than 10 and restaurants/bars closing down (partly because of touching surfaces and spreading this virus), I will be wearing gloves when I enter homes and not touching anything.

Normally (and hopefully we will be able to go back to this), I try to help remove small items that make sense to take out of pictures.

During this time, as we are learning more about Covid-19, I will no longer move or touch anything in a home.

You already receive a photography prep sheet once you book a package - but these are some common things I see that are often overlooked:

• Close the screen of computers in an office

• Remove items on kitchen surfaces that were mistakenly left out and put under the sink (paper towel holder, dish towels, sponges, soaps)

• Hide kitchen garbage cans in the pantry or garage

• Remove tissue boxes from living room chairs/sofas and fluff the pillows 

• Remove bathroom toiletries out of the shower and put under bathroom sink

• Remove toothpaste/holders/brush from bathroom sink

• Close the shower curtain half way to showcase the shower head and what type of shower is inside (insert, tile, etc) 

• Close toilet seats that are left up and open 

• Remove garbage cans, plungers, toilet bowl cleaners that are beside the toilet ( put these in a coat closet)

During this time as we are learning more about Covid-19, I will no longer move anything in a home.

This is to protect myself and sellers as we know this virus can live on surfaces.

The house needs to be in a condition where I can walk in- shoot- and leave. I will not photoshop out items that are misplaced or on the counter. (sorry I hate to say that because I like to be a helper but the time that would take is not conducive - the items need to be removed prior to shooting. )

Thank you for understanding as we all do our part to keep each other healthy.

Margaret 

Lens Correction

When selling Real Estate, your photos are your first line of communication. 

What type of communication do you prefer? There are various ways to communicate with each other and it's your responsibility as an agent to figure out what your target audience wants to hear to move them into action.

In general, your goal in residential Real Estate is to find a buyer for your listing (target audience) speak a language (with attention grabbing photos and jargon free descriptions), use a medium (like the MLS systems, Social Media and Websites to communicate your message) and effect change in conveying the property, as quickly as possible. 

I myself, prefer a clear and concise story that doesn't leave me questioning the message. So, that's why I create intriguing, professionally lit and vertically straight images for Residential properties. 

There are three changes we made to this photo.

1. Brighten

2. Lens Correction

3. Cloud addition

The time of day we were shooting this property the sun was to the west so the front of the house was a bit too dark to showcase the beautiful sprawling porch. I envision the new home owner swinging in the evening or having the whole family out on the porch to watch the sun go down-so we want the viewers to be able to see this space. 

Our company uses the HDR bracketing approach to capture as much detail as possible as well as brightening and evening the photo in camera, knowing we will take that into our post processing to lighten it up.

The second step, and often the most important, is making sure the lens correction is applied. In Real Estate photography, having straight vertical lines is a MUST. You want your customer/client to see what the house actually looks like- not a distorted representation. 

And finally, we added some clouds to make sure the sky compliments the house. 

So, when you take a look at your pictures for your listing, look at these three common elements to see if your images are visually captivating!