Fill your vacation rental’s booking calendar

Using professional photography for vacation rental listings can have numerous benefits for owners. Here are ten reasons why:

1. **First Impressions:** Professional photos capture the property's best features, creating a positive first impression that entices potential guests to explore the listing further.

2. **Increased Bookings:** High-quality images showcase the property's appeal, leading to higher booking rates as guests are more likely to trust and choose listings with captivating photos.

3. **Highlight Features:** Professional photographers know how to emphasize the property's unique features, such as luxurious amenities, stunning views, or well-designed interiors, which can help set the rental apart from the competition.

4. **Realistic Representation:** Professional photos accurately represent the property, minimizing the risk of disappointed guests who arrive and find discrepancies between the images and reality.

5. **Emotional Connection:** Striking images evoke emotions and help potential guests visualize themselves enjoying their stay, making them more likely to book the property.

6. **Optimized Listing Performance:** Many online booking platforms prioritize listings with high-quality images, improving the property's visibility and search ranking, leading to more inquiries and bookings.

7. **Higher Rates:** Properties with professional photos tend to command higher rental rates, as guests perceive them as more valuable and desirable.

8. **Consistency:** Professional photography ensures a consistent and coherent visual style across all images, enhancing the listing's overall aesthetics.

9. **Shareability:** Guests are more likely to share visually appealing listings with their friends and family, resulting in increased exposure for the property.

10. **Time and Effort Savings:** High-quality photos can significantly reduce the need for back-and-forth communication with potential guests, as the images effectively communicate what the property has to offer.

In summary, professional photography can significantly enhance the marketability of vacation rental properties, leading to increased bookings, higher rental rates, and overall improved guest satisfaction.

Selling your home? Choose YOUR Realtor wisely!

Choosing the right REALTOR is an important decision when you are selling your home. For most people, selling their home will be the most important financial transaction they’ll ever make. Choosing the wrong REALTOR can cost you tens of thousands of $$.

NUMBER 1: The research has been done and the results are in > Homes that use professionally created listing photos 1) Get more traffic 2) Sell faster 3) Sell for more money! Before signing a Listing Contract, make sure the REALTOR guarantees that your home will be photographed by a professional photographer using the specialized equipment that is required to give your home the best possible visual presentation!!!

Look for experience: Look for a REALTOR who has experience selling homes in your area. It’s a BIG mistake to choose an out of town REALTOR (even if it’s your brother in law). An experienced, local REALTOR will have a good understanding of the local market and will be able to provide you with valuable insights on pricing and marketing your home.

Ask for referrals: Ask friends and family for referrals to REALTORS they have used and had a positive experience with.

Check online reviews: Look up the REALTOR's online reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, or Zillow. Read what others have to say about their experience working with the REALTOR.

Interview multiple REALTORS: Don't just settle for the first REALTOR you meet. Interview multiple REALTORS and ask them questions about their experience, marketing strategies, and how they plan to sell your home.

Consider their marketing plan: A good REALTOR should have a solid marketing plan for your home, including online marketing, open houses, and other promotional activities.

How many listing photos are too many?

Love them or not, you have to admit that Zillow has done a lot of research about homebuyers.

Here are some statistics:

On average, homebuyers only view 17 to 22 photos per listing. If your photographer is providing 45 to 60 photos, you're wasting money!
Homebuyers stay on listings with 360 degree panoramas 46% longer than listings without. Is your photographer providing this valuable service?
The 2nd most desired element of a listing is a Floor Plan. That's a service that I offer.
Surprisingly, drone photos are not that important in the buying decision.

Here's the most surprising of all !

Listings with 27 or less photos sell faster than homes with 28 or more photos

The perils of too many listing photos!

1) Even if a viewer looks at all 57 photos you post (probably not going to happen), they will be in a state of information overload.

2) After viewing 40+ photos, the buyer erroneously feels that there's nothing left to see so never calls for a showing.

3) The most important photos to homebuyers are: family room, kitchen, master bedroom and bath. The impact of these photos is diluted with each additional photo you show!

4) Showing too many photos increases the chance that you'll show elements of the home that will be a turn off for certain buyers! Take, for instance, a view of the kitchen that shows a pet feeding station OR a teenager's bedroom that's painted neon green.

What is the optimum number of photos to put on MLS?

Hopefully, we can all agree that the purpose of listing photos is to show just enough information to MOTIVATE homebuyers to visit your listing in person! Keeping that in mind, "less will get better results than more".

The Research:

Zillow > Listings with more than 28 photos take longer to sell. They suggest 22 - 27 photos is the sweet spot.

Easy Street > Listings with 15 - 20 photos are most likely to attract homebuyer attention.

Kirk Voclain (photographer) > REALTORS get the best results with his package of only 12 photos!

A J Caruso (photographer) > Produced this great sliding scale table based on home size. > > >

How I can save YOU money!

Photographers who charge by the square foot have the intention of photographing every nook and cranny of the home yielding many more photos than you should post on MLS. I, on the other hand, can selectively create 20 - 24 attention grabbing photos of the areas that are most likely to grab homebuyer interest. Buyers are more likely to visit your listings in person with this approach.

My price list is based on the number of photos delivered. If I create less than 25 photos, you'll only pay $160 or less (2023 pricing).

If you're not buying into the evidence that I've presented here, I'll be glad to give your listings whole house coverage.

Either way, try out my services on your very next listing.

Jim Barber / Impressive Images Photography / 478-737-2244

When it comes to real estate photographers-Why hire me?

When you search the internet for “REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHERS”, you’ll find many choices . . . so why choose me? No, I’m not the cheapest!

A decade ago, the cost of admission (to be labeled a professional photographer) was an investment of $7,000 to $10,000 to purchase medium format cameras, flash systems and studio equipment. Presently, many folks present themselves as “professionals” by simply owning a $500 digital camera, one lens and enjoying “taking pictures”. Their cheap prices are very attractive but the results are, far too often, disappointing.

Real estate photography requires the right equipment AND the right skills behind the camera and in front of the computer. I have invested 20 years in acquiring the right equipment, developing the right skills and demonstrating my commitment to do the job right the first time. Here’s why you should choose me:

High Quality Home photography

Here's what the Realtor has to say:

"What sits under the big Oak tree is so desirable. Seller has taken this home to new standards. Removing walls and remodeling the kitchen, living room and den, master bathroom and more. Granite counter-tops in kitchen including island, new appliances, new flooring, new custom cabinets plus built-in pantry. The master bathroom looks like something out of Southern Living and all of this is accented by refurbished pieces of wood from Mossy Creek and from this home. Split floor-plan separates the master suite from the other 2 bedrooms. Walk-in closet in master was formerly the 4th bedroom. New floors, new paint, new light fixtures all in the last 2-3 years. Home has been re-wired, new electrical panel, Updated laundry and bathrooms. A pleasure to see!"

Contact Anna Roberts (478-228-2521) for your personal tour of this great home.

185 Corbin Ave Unit H Macon, GA is for sale

Here's what the Realtor has to say:

"Seller is leaving the state but has loved this condo in the heart of midtown. Close to Mercer University, downtown, Ingleside & Wesleyan College. Sidewalks lead you right to the shops and restaurants in Ingleside Village. This upstairs unit is all on one level and is open and spacious. Kitchen features hardwood floors, granite counter-tops and walk-in pantry. Hardwood floors accent the family room, foyer, dining room, and of course, the kitchen. The family room is anchored by a fireplace with gas logs Secure and gated condo. Move-in ready"

204 Old Bridge Rd Warner Robins, GA

Here's a description from the Realtor:

"Fabulous Woddbridge Subdivision and a gorgeous 4-sided brick house with stone accents. Large 4 bedrooms with bonus room/loft or office. Backyard is fenced - level lot with an outdoor patio made for entertaining. Full sized living room and family room each with a fireplace, separate dining room and eat-in kitchen. Beautiful flow for living and entertaining. Kitchen has granite and stainless, Master bath has jetted tub and separate shower, separate his/her vanities and built-in dresser/bureau...and so much more!

What I love about this home

The backyard has a beautiful patio with pergola that makes entertaining a joy. Wide open back where kids and pets can play. Generous room sizes with large closets in every room."

Contact Jen Omega (478-262-5008) for your personal tour of this great listing!

Professional real estate photographer in Lizella, GA

May 19, 2018
by Jim Barber

Jim Barber is a professional real estate photographer in
Lizella, GA

A well known Macon Realtor recently asked me to create photos for her new listing in Lizella, GA. The property is a spacious home located in a quite cul de sac not far from a very popular public park on the shores of Lake Tobesofkee.

Here’s how Anna Roberts describes the listing: “Immaculate and ready for occupancy! Hardwood floors on main including foyer, great-room, kitchen, breakfast room, and dining room. Solid surface counter-tops, new sink and stainless steel appliances in kitchen. Soaring ceilings in foyer and great-room anchored by wood burning fireplace. Absolutely gorgeous & landscaped yard with privacy fence. Large deck off of great-room. New heat pump on main level. Rocking chair front porch! Don’t miss this !”

Here is the virtual tour that I created from the listing photographs

Luxury Home photographer near Macon, GA

May 14, 2018
by Jim Barber

Jim Barber is a luxury home photographer based near
Macon, GA

Here’s one of my latest shoots

This magnificent country home has upstairs and downstairs living rooms as well as an attached 3 bedroom apartment.

Here is the complete video tour:

Home photography in Macon, GA

Jim Barber specializes in home photography in Macon, GA

Several realtors in the Middle GA area count on Jim to create listing photos
that grab buyers attention. This home is “under contract” in less than a week!

enhanced RE photo of kitchen — A special effects photo of the kitchen

Anna Roberts, voted “Best realtor in Macon 2017”, invited me to create listing photos for this home. I always enjoy working with Anna; she’s helped me buy and sell 5 homes in the Macon area. In the MLS listing, Anna describes the home this way:

Awesome 1 level brick with finished basement including bathroom & 5th bedroom or playroom. All bathrooms & kitchen have been updated. Four (4) bedrooms on main level. Hardwood floors in foyer, kitchen and breakfast room. Large lot and very wooded in back. Wonderful screened porch off breakfast room. Approximately 560+- sq ft in basement and approximately 2204+- on main. Seller has had home inspected and majority of repairs complete. Inspection available to interested prospects. A pleasure to see and tour.