Firstly... What is your name? and who  else who works alongside you?
My name is Melanie, and NO there isn't anyone else working with me., I am the sole owner & photographer at Foreshore Photography. Sometimes it feels like I need to employ staff, but I have opted against  expanding.  This way I can ensure that my clients are getting exactly what is that they require.  And that all communication is done directly through me. There is no miscommunication with third parties.

How long have you been a Real Estate Photographer?
This year - 2020 is my 9th year as a Real Estate Photographer.  And I love it more every day.

Why did you get into Real Estate Photography? 
I got into RE photography in 2011 when I wanted to re-enter the workforce after having a couple of years off to look after my daughter. I worked previously as a chef, and that was now out of the question with a young family. 

Already having a strong passion in photography, I came across a local Real Estate Franchise that was looking to expand their franchise in the Southern suburbs of Perth.  I completed their training & have never looked back.  Unfortunately, the Franchise did not offer much support & shortly after commencing with them, they ceased operations. This made me determined to succeed in my own Photography business. Then began Foreshore Photography, which has been a total success & has grown every year since it's beginning.

Do you have a lot of equipment? 
As a photographer YES!! I love my tools.  

What equipment do you use everyday?
I work with a Nikon D5 & D810 daily. I have a D3s as a backup.  I have 2 - speed lights, senor remotes,  numerous lens & filters for different projects.  I have 2 Gopros, including a 360 camera that I do my Virtual Tours with. I also have a drone, monopods, 3 different tripods, lighting equipment & backdrops. I have a tonne of software for editing & creating quality marketing images.

What would you say would be the best addition to your business?
Hands down, working with cloud- based software to deliver my projects to clients.  I find it so hard to believe the amount of time I wasted each day, hand-delivering every project to my clients personally on discs or thumb drives, all the extra km's I would do each day has almost halved.  Now my clients get their images & services instantly.  As soon as I have completed the tasks and that time I spent delivering the projects, I now spend out in the field. It's a win- win.   

What do you enjoy most about being a Real Estate Photographer?
I love that I get to meet new people every day.  My days are never the same.  My clients are so amazing & I am lucky that I get to work with them.  I get to work  both indoors & outdoors, on the road & close to home.  Every home/ or client  is a unique experience for me, and every client has different requirements.  It keeps the job interesting and never boring. I love the variety.  

What advice would you give someone wanting to get started in Real Estate Photography? 
The same advice I would give anyone in any industry.  1. Work hard. 2. Provide GREAT service.
3. The customer is always right. 4. Don't compromise your standards. 5. Don't be afraid to continue to learn.

What do you want in the future of your business?
I have always been a helper & a creative type of person, so I would say for me the whole process of helping people achieve the right sale quickly or having the right marketing tools to market their products or clients properties.   I see Foreshore Photography, continually improving techniques & services that I provide so that my clients can achieve the best possible outcomes.  

 We all know that Quality Professional Real Estate Photos help sell or lease properties.

​But how do you get a Messy Tenant to co -operate ? Especially with one that
​does not want his or her belongings photographed.
Or the one that feels that it's their right to say no to photography.. 


The First Approach - Gift Incentives.  Such as Gift cards, bottles of wine, gift hampers, restaurant vouchers, discounted rent.   These need to be a substantial value say          $100- $200 so that the tenant feels that it is worth their while.  It also helps if the item of "gift"  is of "value" to the tenant.  So sit down and talk to them.  Find out what their needs are and how you can help them.  Explain to them the situation and make them feel like they are understood and important as well.

​If they are happy for you to Photograph, but not happy to clean up their mess. What do you do?  Pay a cleaner? or sometimes this just isn't worth the hassle taking the photograph. A picture tells a 1000 words RIGHT? ... Disaster!!! 

​There is no way you can present this MESS to make it look saleable?

​But wait. With the use of digital technology, and expert editing, I am able to remove belongs & items of tenants, that are unsightly or over cluttered.

​In the extreme cases, we are even able to remove and empty whole rooms.

​De cluttering is a service that I offer to all clients of Foreshore Photography. 
Decluttering, removes unsightly mess & clutter, and helps with presenting
a home to the public.

​Services start with simple removal of objects such as bathroom toiletries or items on kitchen benchtops,  to phone & computer cables to the complete removal & empting of contents of whole rooms.

​So now we can all De- stress with the De- clutter.