Rockland Home Staging

It is a huge decision to choose one member to spotlight in the  Weekly Member Spotlight .  I have decided to break with convention and feature an entire group.  The Photography group is one of the nicest places on Active Rain.  It is the kind of group that reminds me of the bar from the series Cheers.  It is the kind of small group where everyone knows your name, everyone is friendly and you may even learn something if you spend enough time there.   

I'd like to introduce you to the major players in the Photography group.

 

Follow this link to learn the basics, sharpen your skills and explore the World of Photography with Photography 101 tutorials written by Active Rain Photography Group Members  Cheryl keeps a list of the best posts at the top of the group. This is a fantastic resource.  I think it is also a great idea for all group moderators. 

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Some folks here just want to take better shots of their listings. Others are confirmed Shutterbugs. The Photography group chats about equipment, tips and techniques for all types of Photography.

 

 

  

Cheryl Johnson 
http://www.bob-taylor.com/
Highland Park, CA 
More about me... 

Cheryl is the group moderator as well as an active member.  She is always willing to help out and has a wonderful personality.  Read some of her posts here:

Photography 101: First Homework Assignment
Photography 101: Depth Of Field
Photography 101: Attention Kodak V705 Users: You Have Exposure Compensation

Many people don't know what Chery actually looks like but if you are dying to know you can check her out here: A Moment Of Epiphany .

 

Bryce Mohan
http://www.brycemohan.com/
Bellevue, WA
More about me...

Bryce is a professional Real Estate Photographer that specializes in exceptional custom real estate and architectural photography. Bryce is one of the most giving people I know on Active Rain.  He is willing to share his photography techniques and provide people with constructive feedback.  If you want to see truly fantastic real estate photography check out his website.  (do it now - we'll wait)

JLS Quality Street Cover! :)
This Week in Pictures [03-22-07]:
Photography 101: Low Light It is a series - check them all out!  (not now, later)

If you have not met Bryce I think it is about time to check him out!  BTW did I mention he is In Support of Stagers: (small plug - you can't blame me)

 

Mike Stankewich, MBA, e-PRO - ZipRealty, Inc.
http://www.mikestankewich.com/
Huntington Beach, CA
More about me...

Mike is an expert local area REALTOR, real estate market analyst, columnist, and the leading selling and listing e-Pro Internet Professional within ZipRealty in Huntington Beach, California.  Mike is a also a realtor that understands the importance of quality photography. 

Real Estate Room Photography Made Simple!
Simple Way to Resize Pictures to Post to the MLS or to Send to Clients
Kodak v705 Tutorial IV - Picture Modes

Mike is currently writing a tutorial series for Kodak v705 users.  Everyone who purchased this little gem should print out all Mike's tutorials and practice, practice practice. 

 
Jeff Turner
http://res.realestateshows.com/
Santa Clarita, CA
More about me...

Jeff helps real estate agents grow their relationships, their network and their businesses by effectively using evocative Internet-based services. He is the President and Founder of Real Estate Shows.com/. 

Your Kids Will Think You're Cool... For About 15 Minutes
Probing The Depths Of Field
Give The Consumer More Views!

Most of you are familiar with Jeff's posts, but if you don't browse the Photography group you will miss some of the most interesting ones.  I credit Jeff with bring a broader awareness to the value of real estate photography.

Craig Schiller
http://www.realestaging.net/
Chicago, IL
More about me...

In 3 years Real Estaging has become Chicago's premier staging company.  We understand how to apply style, scale, proportion, color, and flow so that a property looks its best and sells quickly. To know the "magic" we do, check out the BEFORE & AFTER gallery on our website.  (OK you can do that now - we'll wait)

Someone needs to tell the truth... PHOTOS LIE!
Set Your Sites Low... to Raise Your Standards 
THINK CRUSTY THOUGHTS... When Taking Listing Photo
TRIX FIX 12 PIX

Craig understands how to make homes look their best so they will photography well, show well and sell for the maximum amount of money.  Craig always says, "Stage it, List it, Show it, Sell it".  For purposes of this blog I'd like to add, Photograph it, to his list. 

OK now you have met the major players in the Photography group.  I hope you will read what they have to say, and check back to the group home frequently.  You need to check the group home because many of the members tend to be purists when it comes to the Photography group.  Many members use the post to group feature so their posts will only appear in Photography.  You can read more about that here: Cross Posting , Spiders, and Moderators! Oh my!  and Group Management - Part Two .

You may be wondering how I fit into the photography group, well, I'm the one posting Help Me blogs there.  And I can tell you I have learned so much.  Everyone goes out of their way to help the photographically challenged. 

 

I'd like to introduce to next week's Member Spotlight author:

Tina Stewart Howell *Frisco & Celina Area Realtor
http://www.tinahowell.com/
Celina, TX
More about me...

What post are most proud of?  I'm still waiting to do a post I'm truly proud of.  I have done many that I have worked hard on, about 99% of them to Localism, but I still feel like I am finding my "blogging voice."  I love working on localism posts because I get to share information about the city I love with consumers.  About 4 years ago I was living in Washington DC with my husband and 1 year old daughter.  We thought about getting out of the city and moving to the Dallas area of Texas.  I had only been to Dallas once or twice before and even though my husband grew up here he'd hadn't lived here for over 10 years.  So our new home search & new community search was 100% internet based!  That experience brought us to Frisco and we couldn't be happier.  It also taught me how great a tool the web can be for home buyers & sellers.  And that if done right, finding a new home on the internet can be done.  Wow! If I had only had Localism back then . . .

What is your favorite part of Active Rain? I love that there is a place to go to get trusted advice and to hear varying opinions.  I think by reading and participating in this community we are growing as professionals and our clients will benefit.  I haven't found this type of place anywhere else.  Certainly not when I was a real estate rookie and my first broker was a big chain.  We had hundreds of agents in that office and not 1 was willing to candidly share experiences.

Who do you admire on Active Rain and why?  There are too many to name, but I do really admire those who just jump in full force. Also those that seem to "thoughtfully" blog & comment daily.  I thought I was great at time management, but now I feel like I'm in a whole new league.

 
Anything you want the Active Rain community to know about you?  Real Estate is my second career.  I went to grad. school for Political Management, specifically Environmental Management.  I worked for many years in Annapolis, MD for the State Legislature writing, defending and debating bills on clean air & water issues, energy and natural resource policies.  I LOVED that job, but wanted to make a switch after my daughter was born.  People always ask if I miss it.  And I do, but I wouldn't go back.  I LOVE the journey I'm on now.  Helping people buy and sell their homes is rewarding in a way no other "job" could be.

 

Colleen Kulikowski
http://www.paradisereport.com/
Celebration, FL
More about me...

Serving Buyers in Celebration Florida, a community in the Orlando Florida area with Orlando Avenue Top Team. Her background as a consultant and computer expert assists clients to achieve their goals.

Colleen is the creator of the Member Spotlight.  I think it is a great way to get to know people who you may not have met before. 

Weekly Member Spotlight , Two New Active Rain Groups , Member Spotlight - March 1, 2007

Active Rain Member Spotlight Founded: 04/10/2007 This is where you can find all the member spotlight posts

Check out last week's member's spotlight  Member Spotlight! Read All About It!
It could use some TLC - and I'm featured.  (shameless plug)