Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos
May 22nd, 2007 Deeper Thoughts, Family Life, Humor, Photography
How it started.
My “Bad MLS Photo of the Day” posts have developed into a whole genre for me. It’s not something I expected or planned. I just found a few really laughably terrible photos and tossed them on the blog on a whim.
Then I found it was nearly effortless to find more bad real estate photos. So I kept posting and started adding some commentary. People seemed to like the posts even more.
Then I thought to myself how cool it would be if other blogs started sending me terrible real estate photos. You see it’s a win-win in terms of linkage and so on, though just in general it’s more fun having people send you hilariously bad photos than to try and find them.
The next day two other blogs sent me photos. I hadn’t told anyone I wanted them yet. They just came by email.
I posted them and the day after that I got sent more photos from two more blogs. Awesome.
I kept posting the bad photos and writing them up as fun as I could. Really the posts are effortless to me. People kept leaving “cool series” comments. So I kept posting.
A few nights back I was finally buckling down and spending time decluttering my work area and writing out my goals and affirmations. I’ve been neglecting that for much to long, so it turned into a late night effort. I cover everything from making a to do list for work and home. I thought about everything I wanted to achieve in the next year and beyond.
I’m not exactly sure when it was, likely around 1am or so I decided I’d like to have not just other bloggers send me photos, but also just anyone reading the blog.
At 1:02am a reader emailed me a photo.
Deciding to be a Reagent improving real estate photos nationally.
Call it what you will; Fate, God, The Universe, The Tao, The Force, Higher Power, The Big Skyhook. It’s working. I figure with 1.3 Million realtors in the country churning out thousands of photos a day, a small… heck a tiny number of them will be just terrible. I’ll never run out of stuff to run as a bad photo of the day.
But rather than simply cynically mocking bad photos, I’ll like to work as a force for good. My entire purpose for this blog is to be a reagent, a little thing changing a big thing. Seemingly by magic.
I have three intentions for the series.
The first is simply to have a laugh. Consider it a daily comic strip if you like. It’s all a bit of a lark to me. There’s no venom in these posts. I’ll never name an agent taking one of these photos in these posts. That would make that persons name turn up in Google searches etc forever. (The photo is bad, but doesn’t merit a life sentence) I’d ask if you know who took a photo, not to name them either. All that does is start a fight and then we’re focusing on the fighting rather than having a laugh and finding out how to take better photos.
The second intent is simply to grow readership on the blog and have that turn into some fun PR for what I do. Hopefully that turns into more clients for me. Plus it’s what comedians call “a bit”. It’s like Jeff Foxworthy telling a Redneck joke. I figure this thing has legs and can take me places. I’d like to be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for instance. (No seriously!) I can see how the whole photo thing could turn into an income stream for me. (Hey at least I’m honest.)
The third intention is to improve the overall quality of real estate photos nationwide. In all seriousness, I think the photos I show are ethical violations for having been used as the marketing presentation of someones home. They more than likely damage the final sales price, or even destroy chances of the house being sold.
If you are taking photos, you will take bad photos, lots and lot of them. Some of them are going to be horrible. But really – it’s one thing to take a lousy photo – it’s completely another to upload that photo to the MLS and from there the dozens of national websites and likely hundreds of local agent websites. It’s shamelessly inept and simply incomprehensible that anyone would charge for this level of “service”.
I’m not the National Association of Realtors and I’m not in charge of a regional Multiple Listing Service. I have no power to discipline anyone for the photos, I can’t fine anyone, suspend licenses, or inform sellers that they should file a complaint or seek legal recourse for damages. In truth I’m not sure any of that would work to better photos anyway.
All I can do is harness the sound of people laughing as a tool and hope that changes attitudes. Plus every so often I’ll post tips on how to take good real estate photos. I’m not claiming I’m a photo genius here, just an average guy willing to learn and use a little effort. You can do this too.
How you can help me improve real estate photos.
First – you can email me whatever really horrible real estate photos you find. Based on what I get emailed, your photo may or may not make the cut and get on the blog. If you have more than one, send them all in, I try not to repeat similar photos day after day and pick and choose a little.
Second - if you want to see the Bad MLS of the Day every day, you can follow on your RSS Feed Reader or subscribe to the blog by email. (There is a small text box at the very top right of the page by the orange blog icon. Enter your email address and hit Enter, you can unsubscribe at any time.)
Third – tell your friends, email the photos on, link to me on your blog, spread the laughter.
Fourth and most importantly – don’t settle for a bad photo yourself if you take one. Take the time to shoot another photo. Learn how to edit the photos. Call your seller up and say “look I botched these photos, I have to come back and do it again”. You have a duty to your clients. These are choices you’re making. Make the right ones.
Please leave a comment.
If you’ve enjoyed the series or generally approve of my Reagent Manifesto, please leave a comment here. My goal is no less than 1000 comments on this thread by the end of the year. Or however many it takes to break Wordpress.
Warm thanks,
Athol
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:00 am
Athol, you KNOW that I love this series!!! I think it is extremely useful when you give tips on how to improve. I also wanted to note to you that when I’m taking photos of listings I have a little nervous twitch and wonder if the REAGENT is going to post any of my work… keeps the 1.3 million on their toes!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:25 am
LOL it’s the little nervous twitch that messes up the photo.
Just let yourself take lots of bad photos, eventually you’ll take a good one. Choose that one.
Thanks for the comment.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Love, love, LOVE the bad MLS photo series. They make me more aware of the pictures I take. However, there is one drawback - I find my mischievous nature rearing her ugly (but undoubtedly lovable) head when I am taking pictures. She has a challenge for me…can I really take a picture bad enough and have the gall to actually post it on the MLS just to get into Athol’s blog? Hmmm. I am exercising restraint…maybe when I sell my own home:)
June 6th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
[...] Mental indolence, goofy pictures and questionable titles are my stock in trade. I’m proud of them and what I am. Fame and fortune are side effects, not the goal. Stand with me. Sign the Reagent Manifesto. [...]
June 7th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I am in full support of shabby photos, half-assed attempts to market homes and…what?…oh, I’m sorry.
Wrong blog.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:42 am
Add me to the RE photo revolution roster.
June 9th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Sign me up.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
My name is Jay Thompson, and I approve of this manifesto.
You’ve helped me take better photos, thanks. Sometimes it’s just the little things that make a world of difference. Taking a few minutes to properly crop a photo for example, has done *wonders* for me.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Raising my right hand. I both enjoy and approve of this manifesto. So help me God.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Thanks to everyone that has signed in. I don’t want to overwhelm the thread with my own comments.
Thanks so much.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
This is great! I was so fed up with the bad photos in Orlando, I decided to get back into freelance photography - specifically for RE. I just launched orlandorealestatephotography.com (not trying to spam your comments - just proving my point).
As the creator of Posh’d.com (again, not trying to spam) I feel it’s my duty to help improve RE sites - and pictures are a huge part of it.
Great post. I have about 50 pics I can send you. Think I’ll add them to Flickr and send you the link to the photo stream.
June 19th, 2007 at 6:19 am
Your Bad MLS Photos are my favorite feed. Simple enough for my short attention span - yet always brings me to a laugh or a Grrrr. Happy manifesto-ing, and I will continue to use YOUR posts in my training of Real Estate Agents … (”Don’t MAKE me send one of YOUR MLS pictures to Athol’s Bad MLS Photo of the Day…”)
June 19th, 2007 at 6:32 am
That sounds great Shaun. I’ll stop by your site later today.
LOL Mariana. Maybe I should show up in person and scare your students
June 19th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I’m adding my approval to the manifesto and adding one more step towards breaking wordpress.
I love the photo idea. A chuckle a day keeps the stress away.
June 20th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I’m surprised some of these agents don’t get fired over the bad photos. Some of the photos are funny but it is truly very sad when you know someone is wondering why the house won’t sell so they can move on. Keep publishing…things will improve.
June 20th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Wait, I thought the Photoshop Realtor(R) plug-in was all I needed to create great property photos! Just like the plug-in for MS Word that makes the property sound 10x better on paper than reality!
Did I just buy a left-handed smoke bender or what?
I’m gonna hafta keep my eyes open for some to submit. We sure got ‘em!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Hi Jennifer, I think you have it down in a nutshell.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Truth be told I am the worst photographer in the world. I accept this about myself. That is why I spend the $150 to HIRE A FRICKIN’ PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER so that my clients don’t have to suffer because of my bad photography. In the grand scheme of what I get paid to list and sell a property, $150 is a very small price to pay, it makes my clients happy, and keeps my photos from ending up here.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
/slaute Sandy K
Exactly. Well done.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Love the blog, love the series, wish I thought of it. Somehow ‘Good MLS Photos of the Day’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Maybe ‘Mediocre MLS Photos’? Maybe I’ll just think of something else.
I think having a blog makes people better picture takers (I wouldn’t exactly call myself a photographer).
I’ll help fight the photo blight fight whenever possible.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Great idea!
July 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Athol Ansel or is it Ansel Athol? I am in.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
July 20th, 2007 at 7:23 am
I’m not a photographer, but if I take a 100 pics at least 8 will turn out good enough for a slot in the MLS. If I can do it anyone can…
July 20th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Bingo! Felicity wins first prize. Exactly what I’m talking about.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:38 am
Athol:
I don’t know if I can participate. I try to get two sets of home listing photos out of a 24 roll in my Kodak Brownie. Film ain’t cheap you know, and then there’s WalMart developing.
Seriously, great stuff. Take a shot at videos next.
Jim
August 1st, 2007 at 12:42 pm
We are a virtual tour and real estate photography company. I’ve done a presentation on the importance of good pictures for over 3 years now. During that time most realtors have learned that over 80% of buyers start their search on the Internet, and that the most important thing to them is high quality, multiple pictures. But - I’m not able to explain this statistic: During that same time, over 75% of all listings either have no pictures, bad picturess, or just the single MLS provided drive-by shooting. This statistic has remained fairly constant across the 3 years, and doesn’t vary much by price or location.
August 8th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
[...] That leaves 129,500 or so other photos up for grabs. The mission as I make clear in The Reagent Manifesto is to laugh away bad MLS photos. [...]
August 13th, 2007 at 8:13 am
[...] Which brings me to a Connecticut real estate agent named Athol Kay. Athol has a great sense of humor and has created a series of posts on his website titled “Bad MLS Photo of The Day”. Agents from across the country provide Athol with a steady stream of really bad photos from their local MLSs. But Athol has gone a step further and is attempting to educate Realtors and real estate agents around the world on the value of good home photography. Judging by the steady stream of bad photos, it’s obvious that he hasn’t reached the masses just yet. But that’s OK, he needs material. (Read his manifesto). [...]
August 28th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
August 31st, 2007 at 5:47 am
When I first started my real estate career, I said that I would not fall victim to lazy, bad photography. Now I think I am pretty good at it, at least for a novice. We put considerable time and effort into our photos, and our clients really appreciate it.
Keep up the great blogging!
August 31st, 2007 at 6:41 am
Daniel?! Alive?!? Where you been buddy?
I’ve seen some of your photos Daniel, they are pretty good.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I totally approve of your efforts to point out the bad photos, and encourage agents taking better ones. Count me in!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:55 am
My goal today is to send you a really bad photo. I don’t think that should be too hard. I completely agree with your comment about horrible photos being an “ethical violation”. It is just too easy today to get a decent photo. There really is no excuse.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Athol, I think I take better pictures than 95% of the agents out there, but as good as mine are, I know they can be better. My goal: be the best.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
October 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
October 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
October 16th, 2007 at 10:48 am
There are BAD MLS photos? REALLY? I hadn’t noticed.
Seriously… don’t get me started. This problem is spreading… home stagers are equally as bad. The scary thing it stagers are about crafting GREAT visual impressions… why they settle for bad photograpy is beyond me.
Craig
October 30th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
This site is too funny! Thanks for sharing.
One cure for bad photos…. Hire a professional, just a thought.
Best Regards,
Thomas Bliss
AIA - IAAP - ASMP - EP
Thomas Bliss Photography
http://www.thomasblissphotography.com
Member & Founder of the IAAP
The International Association of Architectural Photographers
http://www.iaap.us
October 30th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I’m so quoting you Thomas!
Thanks man.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 9th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 11th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 12th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 16th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 29th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
November 30th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Athol - I have a file folder of really bad MLS photos and wonder if sellers never ask to see how their home is represented on the MLS or across the net for that matter.
I wanted to post them, however, I think it is illegal here to use others photography(if thats what you call it) from the MLS.
I Support this manifesto by only allowing good photos on my site and in my listings.
Look forward to more of your bad MLS photos.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:42 am
>>I wanted to post them, however, I think it is illegal here to use others photography(if thats what you call it) from the MLS.
Fair Use of copyrighted material, for the purposes of critism and parody. No different than if I quoted from something they had written.
These photos are already on hundreds of websites, hundreds of thousands of them if you count all the IDX feeds to individual agent sites and essentially have entered quite purposely into the public domain.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]
December 6th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
[...] If you haven’t read and signed the comments for Reagent Manifesto: Improving Real Estate Photos please consider it. [...]