Graduating from beginner to pro takes a lot of time and patience, but it’s truly never been easier to get busy at getting good.

The main advantage nowadays is that with a single instrument you can create both high-quality photo and video. No need to dump money into both fields as most new DSLRs are now equipped with HD video and photo resolution that handles pretty much any job.

If you’ve decided to go out and purchase a new camera and are looking for ways to develop your skills, there are countless resources on the web. Online training doesn’t need to cost a thing, and the pool of informative resources continues to grow by the minute. Here’s a list of just a few of the great places to start learning:

Vimeo Video School
Vimeo is no longer just YouTube’s classy little brother, they’ve began compiling and sorting training videos for the videographer in all of us. The lessons range from absolute beginner to pro, so there’s something for everyone. It’s growing constantly, and worth a look. Go to Vimeo Video School.

Adorama TV
What a stellar collection of videos here for photographers looking to learn. Adorama has seriously outdone themselves producing this epic pile of awesomeness. New episodes come out regularly, so keep checking back. Go to Adorama TV.

Photography for Real Estate
PFRE surfaces a ton of valuable information for real estate agents who are looking to up the ante of their photo and video creation. This blog has been running for a long time, and it’s difficult to search for information that hasn’t already been discussed. Go to PFRE Blog.

Pop Photo
Slightly more on the advanced side, Pop Photo has created a worthwhile “How To” section for photographers looking to gain an edge in their productions. Pop Photo is not real estate focused, but there are numerous tips and tricks that will assist in any genre. Go to Pop Photo’s “How To”.

Video for Real Estate
These guys seem to be riding on the wake of success of the PFRE blog mentioned above. Although there’s plenty of room to grow, VFRE has begun to compile a strong body of content designed to educate and encourage. The bonus here is that they are real estate focused, so the techniques discussed are completely relevant. Go to VFRE.

There’s plenty more out there, and if you have any great resources to add, feel free to leave them in the comments area below. Happy Shooting!

One of the most highly effective and convincing uses of video in real estate can be found in client testimonials. They can be invaluable, influencing prospective clients to pick up the phone or write. Done wrong however, they can not only fail to deliver their intended objective, but in fact harm your image and business over the long term.

Banking on extensive experience in advertising, including the management of a major true testimonial campaign for a multinational brand, here are some dos and don’ts for video testimonials.

• ALWAYS feature real clients. The credibility this lends cannot be stressed enough.
• Ensure viewers understand that the testimonial is of a real client. A full screen caption ahead of the actual testimonial, or a small caption that appears during the recording should do it. Some clients may not wish to use their name on the video, so their initials as well as their city and state would do.
• Shoot the video where your client can be naturally happy about the subject being discussed. Their satisfaction would project in their voice and attitude. Inside or just outside the home you helped them buy are good options. A nice backyard with the client’s kids happily playing, or with a spouse smiling at their side are genuine and convincing. If all options are on the table, pick the one with the least noise interference potential (cars, sirens,  air conditioner, yelling).
• Prepare and use questions during your interview with the client that naturally lead them to discuss specific benefits you would like to promote. For example, “tell me how important negotiating the deal on your terms was to you, and how you feel your agent was able to assist you in that area.”
• Keep the testimonials short. 10 to 15 second bites are effective and not boring. Your viewers do not want a dissertation about you but, rather, they want to garner a sense of confidence in you before they make their decision on which Realtor® to choose.
• Film the footage at a slight angle so the subject is facing you and not looking directly at the camera. A tripod would make this task fairly straightforward. When editing or selecting the clips that will be used online, under no circumstance should you use material where the client flips between you and the camera lens.
• Mix into your final edit some close up shots on the subject’s face, to create an instant connection with your viewers. Add slightly wider shots to bring life to the video and incorporate some of the background such as a part of the home or kids playing on a swing or enjoying a board or video game. The camera’s focus should however remain on your subject at all times.
• Lighting and overall quality are key. If you are not confident with your own videography skills,  invest in someone who does. Film school students may be a great resource and may do your projects for you for free, to build their portfolios.
• Do not use ANY footage that sounds like a sales pitch. Viewers connect with real people sharing their true feelings, and are repelled by sales spiels. Tell your subjects to be themselves and when necessary, ask if you could re-take a scene. A camera play back on location is a good way to decide if a retake of a scene is in order.
• Audio is just as important as video resolution. Use a good quality microphone and test it beforehand.
• Capture important sentences and use them in other online and offline marketing materials such as listing presentations, ads and flyers or postcards.
• Prepare and get a release form signed by your client, allowing you to use the footage and content in your marketing, royalty free.

Written By:

Roger Noujeim
Director, Point2 Communications

For the seasoned real estate professionals out there, the initial videos are going to seem rudimentary. Be that as it may, even an accomplished musician must continue to rehearse scales as the foundation of his/her practice. So, for the time being, I only ask that you elites view them as simple refreshers.

Moving forward, I’d like to also provide a body of videos that appeal to more than just real estate agents. Perhaps even incorporating topics that allow agents to visually explain complex systems to buyers and sellers. Transacting real estate has grown to be such an elaborate process, especially since becoming so integrated with modern technology, that a stock of videos that clarify the agent’s role will surely help buyers and sellers to more clearly understand what’s going on behind the scenes. It is my hope that a better understanding of the industry will foster an even greater level of respect for those who live it.

The first episode focuses on listing syndication, have a peek:

As each video takes me about three days to create, I’m estimating that a bi-weekly release is within reason as it fits in well with all the other “stuff” that I do. Furthermore, I’ll generate a blog post when a new episode is added to the mix so our super-awesome readership is always kept in the loop. The “to do” list is growing fast, but I’m still open to topic suggestions if you have some ideas – just leave a comment.

Saskatoon itself has a history of tinkering.  Even here at Point2 we’ve engineered innovative software solutions for both the real estate and heavy equipment industries.  And believe me, we’ve been tinkering up a storm over the past year (perhaps due to this record breaking cold weather), and some of the things we have planned are going to knock your socks off.  Another Saskatoon company who has spent some time tinkering is the most impressive, Draganfly Innovations Inc.  Today I’m going to talk a bit more about them because for one, I love gadgets and gizmos, and two, I love photography and video.

So why would a company like Draganfly, who essentially creates radio-controlled machines, be of concern to real estate professionals?

Well, they offer, in my opinion, the best product money can buy if you’re looking to create dynamic, aerial videos and/or photos for a sale property.  Perhaps overkill for the average residential agent, but for those who transact large commercial lots, golf courses, or recreation facilities, these images will attract some serious attention.  The Draganflyer X6 Helicopter, for instance, provides you with control over the zoom, tilt, and shutter speeds of a high resolution camera so you will always get the shots you need.  The company also provides flight simulators and customer support so you can perfect your technique before the trial run.  These high-tech units are no kid’s toys – in fact they’ve been used by SWAT teams, mining operations, and even for the creation of music videos on MTV.  Draganfly‘s creations have been highlighted in a number of magazines including Popular Science and Popular Mechanics; the company has also received a number of prestigious science/technology awards.

I know if my Realtor showed up to photograph my house holding a brand new X6, I just might think he was the coolest Realtor in town.

Looking for an alternate solution for shooting aerial photos?  Have a peruse of my article on Pole Aerial Photography (PAP).