Sounds like we were in a similar boat. A year ago I lost a few of my clients who wanted more of that flashy/fancy edit vibe. This dog is too old to learn new tricks so I've stuck to my guns which was to offer a simple mid-priced video tours with drone and drone photography options. The new guy costs more than twice as much as me and while half their clients loved the end product, the other half hated the overly stylised music video when all they wanted was a simple video tour. So I managed to win some of those clients back by simply remaining consistent and affordable. I've also found myself doing a lot more stand alone drone photography and monthly market update videos with individual agents. I've been asked to do photography but as you've said, taking on too much at once means quality can suffer so I'm keeping as simple as possible for as long as I can afford to.
Similar experience Johnny. As I can previously commented I think some agents have forgotten about the end user experience. And rely on the wrong analytics or don’t understand them. Sometimes I think I’m watching a dance video.
Thanks for sharing, Grant. And welcome back! As I have become the main videographer for my growing RE Media company I'm at the point of wondering... what's next? These videos are all the same. I mean, some homes are nicer than others and sometimes you have more time/schedule to do things you want to do (FPV fly through, time lapse, etc) but... I'm just curious what your take is on... "what's next"? And I mean specifically in the home walkthrough videos. As I've asked this question in a few masterminds I'm a part of the predominant answer has been branding videos - where the agent goes out and sells themself as an expert on an area/community. But that's not what I'm looking for - I'm curious what can be done to improve upon the home walkthrough. What do you think? Thanks again.
Good question - I have been thinking the same thing. Apart from agent branding videos which aren't that popular in my area I think that I would like to make the property videos more of a short form teaser. Most listings have photography (sometimes 3D tours and floor plans) and comprehensive descriptions so I wonder if the future direction for the video is a 15-30sec ad to drive potential viewers to the listing! I'm thinking more of a traditional style ad rather than video walk through?
Yes a more traditional style of short form ad ie. 15-30sec in duration and a teaser of the property instead of the more literal walk through styles of video.
I just got an email from you. I do have to say, your video reassures me that I did the right thing about leaving the real estate photography business. Based on your video, seems like you’re working more and that one stop shop idea means you’re going to be working more and ultimately making less due to real estate agents are always wanting more for less. Do what I did, pivot into something else that is more profitable and will value your skills and perhaps allow you to not having to be the person that does the job.
Good video Grant. Here in Whistler, the photographer I use (and most others) only do photography (including drone photography), Matterport and floorplans but NOT video. Nobody does the whole shebang here with video too. It's annoying. Wish I had someone here that could to the whole thing. So, I use him for everything and then I just do my own videos.
Hey Dean - it’s very similar here, from a realtors point of view would it work having one company with 2 people to come in at the same time to do it all? Or would you still just prefer 1 person to get the job done? I see a lot of snow still over your way!
Hi Grant, I’m in the Sydney market. I’ve found that small to mid sized studios seem to be on parity with what they charge agents, and on parity with what they pay contractors. Agents are charged quite a lot as it’s a cost-recovery from the client, but the photographer somehow misses out on a decent fee. For me offering multiple services directly to the agent (like you) is the only way to earn a decent living. However; agents don’t want to be onsite for hours so I bring in specialists to work alongside me even though I can offer ph-vid-FP. Like you I think speedramping and some effects have gone over the top to the point I wonder if agents have forgotten about the end viewers experience.
Good to see your videos again. Watching videos from others, it seems like as real estate is a volume business, using an external editor is the best way not to burn out.
Awesome video Grant. Up in Canada (Ontario) We are seeing more and more of a demand for the Matterport floorplan or something of the like, but i'd agree 1. photos 2. drone. I would say that with a younger generation creeping into the homeownership sphere we are going to see short 30-second social media vertical edits as standard to offer with our traditional video walkthroughs and drone shots. You can already see where the market is headed in terms of the vertical video so why not use that to your advantage? If editing is a time sink find an editor who can do it for you if you Dropbox them the files. We/I personally send our stuff to an editor in Vietnam as they are an opposite timeline so once my workday shooting is done I send them everything, and I wake up the next morning to all my edits completed. Well worth the time vs money on that one. Hope this gives you some insight.
I hear you about going where the market is heading with vertical video. Are you sending video away for editing as well and if so how is the results? Its a good topic for a future video where I'll send some video to different editors and see how it all looks. Cheers
@@GrantJohnstonVideos I look at it as to get a jump on the competition and become the expert before they get a chance to. I send the 30 second vertical videos away to get edited but we do the 16 x 9 edits in house. They turn out great, its a completely different style and the customer/client/buyer looking at the home on the vertical style isn't going to critique the shot selection and edits as much as the traditional 16 x 9 viewers.
Long time subscriber here. Its the end of 2023, what camera would you recommend for Real Estate Video and Photos? I come from a GH5 background as well but need to upgrade.
@@GrantJohnstonVideos Thanks Grant, there's so much choice out there, I've been looking at those ones as well as the Sony ZV-E1, maybe adding the dji pocket 3 into the mix. At this stage I'm leaning towards S5iix. Such a hard decision.
The new drinking game! Skull every time grant says “my competition”. Vertical video is the worst. What should happen is that we charge extra for it- What will happen is that it will be expected as part of the package at the same price. Or some , muppet will start doing it for free in an effort to get marketshare. I am actively pushing back on vertical video because even if it is a small window on the screen still a better look for real estate, than a ridiculous vertical slice.
![[Re:all TREASURE] EP.6 in 방콕ㅣ🚩 쩡캠의 방콕 투어 빵 마이 와이 👍](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uyFw-nItA_s/mqdefault.jpg)
It was great to see you on youtube again Grant. I’ve wondered many a day where you’ve been. Hope all is well.
Sounds like we were in a similar boat. A year ago I lost a few of my clients who wanted more of that flashy/fancy edit vibe. This dog is too old to learn new tricks so I've stuck to my guns which was to offer a simple mid-priced video tours with drone and drone photography options. The new guy costs more than twice as much as me and while half their clients loved the end product, the other half hated the overly stylised music video when all they wanted was a simple video tour. So I managed to win some of those clients back by simply remaining consistent and affordable. I've also found myself doing a lot more stand alone drone photography and monthly market update videos with individual agents. I've been asked to do photography but as you've said, taking on too much at once means quality can suffer so I'm keeping as simple as possible for as long as I can afford to.
I agree and sometimes I find if we chase the next shiny thing/technique we become good at none!
Similar experience Johnny. As I can previously commented I think some agents have forgotten about the end user experience. And rely on the wrong analytics or don’t understand them. Sometimes I think I’m watching a dance video.
Welcome back! Glad you are well! Looking forward to seeing your videos again. 😊
Welcome back Grant :)
Thank you
Nice video Grant, good to see the Kiwi's doing well! Australia Real Estate 1. Photos 2. Floorplan the others vary
Cheers
Thanks for sharing, Grant. And welcome back!
As I have become the main videographer for my growing RE Media company I'm at the point of wondering... what's next? These videos are all the same. I mean, some homes are nicer than others and sometimes you have more time/schedule to do things you want to do (FPV fly through, time lapse, etc) but... I'm just curious what your take is on... "what's next"? And I mean specifically in the home walkthrough videos. As I've asked this question in a few masterminds I'm a part of the predominant answer has been branding videos - where the agent goes out and sells themself as an expert on an area/community. But that's not what I'm looking for - I'm curious what can be done to improve upon the home walkthrough. What do you think?
Thanks again.
Good question - I have been thinking the same thing. Apart from agent branding videos which aren't that popular in my area I think that I would like to make the property videos more of a short form teaser. Most listings have photography (sometimes 3D tours and floor plans) and comprehensive descriptions so I wonder if the future direction for the video is a 15-30sec ad to drive potential viewers to the listing! I'm thinking more of a traditional style ad rather than video walk through?
@@GrantJohnstonVideos what do you mean by “traditional style”?
Agent walk n talk?
Yes a more traditional style of short form ad ie. 15-30sec in duration and a teaser of the property instead of the more literal walk through styles of video.
Great
I just got an email from you. I do have to say, your video reassures me that I did the right thing about leaving the real estate photography business. Based on your video, seems like you’re working more and that one stop shop idea means you’re going to be working more and ultimately making less due to real estate agents are always wanting more for less. Do what I did, pivot into something else that is more profitable and will value your skills and perhaps allow you to not having to be the person that does the job.
Its certainly has its challenges!
Good video Grant. Here in Whistler, the photographer I use (and most others) only do photography (including drone photography), Matterport and floorplans but NOT video. Nobody does the whole shebang here with video too. It's annoying. Wish I had someone here that could to the whole thing. So, I use him for everything and then I just do my own videos.
Hey Dean - it’s very similar here, from a realtors point of view would it work having one company with 2 people to come in at the same time to do it all? Or would you still just prefer 1 person to get the job done?
I see a lot of snow still over your way!
@@GrantJohnstonVideos I think 2 people would be more time efficient for sure.
@5:15 - amen, brother!
Hi Grant, I’m in the Sydney market. I’ve found that small to mid sized studios seem to be on parity with what they charge agents, and on parity with what they pay contractors. Agents are charged quite a lot as it’s a cost-recovery from the client, but the photographer somehow misses out on a decent fee. For me offering multiple services directly to the agent (like you) is the only way to earn a decent living. However; agents don’t want to be onsite for hours so I bring in specialists to work alongside me even though I can offer ph-vid-FP. Like you I think speedramping and some effects have gone over the top to the point I wonder if agents have forgotten about the end viewers experience.
Good to see your videos again. Watching videos from others, it seems like as real estate is a volume business, using an external editor is the best way not to burn out.
Absolutely agree - I'm getting comfortable with sending stills away for editing but I'm still too precious with my video!
Look forward to more videos thanks.
Thanks again for your time and past experience you share.
Cheers
Amazing! Will you be updating your online course with those new techniques? (3D tours, Dusk shoots and floor plans)
If there is demand it I will for sure. Cheers
Awesome video Grant. Up in Canada (Ontario) We are seeing more and more of a demand for the Matterport floorplan or something of the like, but i'd agree 1. photos 2. drone.
I would say that with a younger generation creeping into the homeownership sphere we are going to see short 30-second social media vertical edits as standard to offer with our traditional video walkthroughs and drone shots.
You can already see where the market is headed in terms of the vertical video so why not use that to your advantage? If editing is a time sink find an editor who can do it for you if you Dropbox them the files. We/I personally send our stuff to an editor in Vietnam as they are an opposite timeline so once my workday shooting is done I send them everything, and I wake up the next morning to all my edits completed.
Well worth the time vs money on that one.
Hope this gives you some insight.
I hear you about going where the market is heading with vertical video. Are you sending video away for editing as well and if so how is the results? Its a good topic for a future video where I'll send some video to different editors and see how it all looks. Cheers
@@GrantJohnstonVideos I look at it as to get a jump on the competition and become the expert before they get a chance to. I send the 30 second vertical videos away to get edited but we do the 16 x 9 edits in house. They turn out great, its a completely different style and the customer/client/buyer looking at the home on the vertical style isn't going to critique the shot selection and edits as much as the traditional 16 x 9 viewers.
Long time subscriber here. Its the end of 2023, what camera would you recommend for Real Estate Video and Photos? I come from a GH5 background as well but need to upgrade.
Good question - my short list would be Sony A7siii, Canon r6ii or Panasonic S5ii.
@@GrantJohnstonVideos Thanks Grant, there's so much choice out there, I've been looking at those ones as well as the Sony ZV-E1, maybe adding the dji pocket 3 into the mix. At this stage I'm leaning towards S5iix. Such a hard decision.
Grant how do I get one of your online classes ?
The new drinking game! Skull every time grant says “my competition”.
Vertical video is the worst. What should happen is that we charge extra for it-
What will happen is that it will be expected as part of the package at the same price. Or some , muppet will start doing it for free in an effort to get marketshare. I am actively pushing back on vertical video because even if it is a small window on the screen still a better look for real estate, than a ridiculous vertical slice.
Well I hope you had a few drinks on me....Cheers
Good to see you’re back. I’ve learned a lot from your courses.
Cheers
Vertical video is cancer, but sadly it seems its here to stay. Turning our phones sideways is now too much of a hassle it seems.