Building Relationships with New Construction
No matter whether I’m taking photos of humans or inanimate objects (hello houses!), being a photographer is really about the human connection.
New construction by Timberlin Homes
No matter whether I’m taking photos of humans or inanimate objects (hello houses!), being a photographer is really about the human connection.
In addition to the basics, like getting linked up online via social media, the next best way to build the kind of business you want is linking up through networking and word of mouth. And how do you oil that wheel? By being easy to talk to, work with, get ahold of, and know what the client wants and is looking for.
For me, shooting new construction and beautiful architecture is not just my profession, it’s my passion and that can be seen in my work. It’s not really working if you love what you do, right?
No matter your business, having the right photographs to help support your online image is one of the most crucial aspects of a brand. Not only does it form the core pillar of how your current customers understand and connect with your company, but it also allows potential clients to see what you’re all about.
High-end photography, especially for new construction, draws the eye to details, illustrates a story, and allows people to envision living or working in the home or building. It also forms the backbone for all of your marketing, from your website to brochures, ads, social media, presentations, and more.
What do your current images say about you and your brand? Having the right images is key because it allows you to take control of your narrative, to convey a sense of expertise, reliability, and trustworthiness through compelling visual assets. When paired with well-tailored marketing, professional photography elevates and distinguishes your brand in the marketplace.
Blurry or low-quality images? Pixellated, blown out, improperly sized? These kinds of photos immediately put you at a disadvantage compared to a company with gorgeous clear, crisp images. If you want to position yourself as a go-to in your field, you have to have all your ducks in a row—most importantly: photography.
Over the years, I’ve been able to cultivate relationships with new builders and capture exceptional images that showcase brand strengths, and help lead to growth. By utilizing simple, yet innovative, composition techniques I can accentuate the highlights and bring any scene or setting to life.
Great photography allows you to convey the elements you want the public to know about your business, including:
Attention to detail
Beautiful architecture
Luxury materials
Quality construction
Industry knowledge
Professional photography is a key building block of a persuasive story that sets you apart from the rest and makes you unforgettable to clients.
Whenever it’s high end — call Tony Frantz, whenever it’s low end? Call that bargain basement guy whose quality isn’t that great. Maybe it’s harsh, but the saying is still true: you get what you pay for.
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Tony Frantz Studio is a proud partner of both the Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne and the Building Contractors Association of Northeast Indiana. Are you a home builder or new construction? Reach out and let’s get started on your visual feature today!
All photos are of Timberlin Homes who I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with for the past several years. Long-term relationships are my jam.
Night Droning 101
Recently, I was hired to shoot several properties for a client, both day and night shots. Sure, no problem!
Of course, it’s not exactly that easy. Technically, as a professional Part 107 Certified drone pilot, you can’t just shoot a commercial drone gig without doing a couple things first. Here’s a quick recap:
Recently, I was hired to shoot several properties for a client, both day and night shots. Sure, no problem!
Of course, it’s not exactly that easy. Technically, as a professional Part 107 Certified drone pilot, you can’t just shoot a commercial drone gig without doing a couple things first. Here’s a quick recap:
1) Get Part 107 Certified Yes, you can drone any time you want to … as a hobbyist or for recreational use only, even at night. If however, you are taking photos or video for compensation or sale to another individual (aka for business use or commercial operation), you must fly under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107) and register your drone with the FAA. In order to obtain a Remote Pilot Certification from the FAA, you will need to study for and pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Once you are registered and certified, you must have your Remote Pilot Certificate with you whenever you fly your UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System, aka drone).
2) Equip Your Drone with “Anti-Collision Lights” Both licensed and recreational drone pilots are allowed to fly their drones at night without applying for a waiver (more on this later)—as long as they have the proper lights. Yes, your drone probably came with minimal lights already attached—these do not count. You must purchase and add specific anti-collision lights that can be seen up to a distance of three statute miles and have a flashing rate sufficient to avoid collision. I bought the Lume Cube Drone Strobe | FAA Anti-Collision Lights from Amazon. They arrived quickly and were super easy to attach, highly recommend.
In summary, as a commercial Part 107 licensed drone pilot, you can fly your drone at night if you meet two conditions: 1) You have completed the online recurrent training or updated knowledge test covering night flying, and 2) Your drone has been equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for a distance of at least three statute miles.
But wait — there’s more! Before you fly, check to see if your city has a drone ordinance. Fort Wayne requires that drone pilots notify the city before any flights in specific areas (usually downtown) and to fill out a form with your FAA Pilot Certificate number, the make and model of your drone, liability insurance company name, and time of flight. Otherwise, the local police department will show up faster than you’d expect (not that that has ever happened to me or anything *cough, cough*).
Anything I didn’t cover here can be recapped in more detail at: KnowBeforeYouFly.org
Happy droning!
PS: Don’t forget to remove your ND filter when flying at night, otherwise you’re in for some extra dark shots. (Spoken from experience.)
The Road to Hana: Maui's Best Scenic Drive
Ever since returning from Hawaii, I’ve been going through my photos and remembering all the beautiful landscapes. The depth of layers brought back memories of staring into viewfinders as a kid.
One of my favorite excursions was The Road to Hana. Driving the 620 curves and 59 bridges that were often one-lane with hairpin turns was a white knuckle experience and truly unforgettable. The incredible scenery (captured by #DasDrone001) made me feel lucky to be alive, in Hawaii, and in that moment.
Ever since returning from Hawaii, I’ve been going through my photos and remembering all the beautiful landscapes. The depth of layers brought back memories of staring into viewfinders as a kid.
One of my favorite excursions was The Road to Hana. Driving the 620 curves and 59 bridges that were often one-lane with hairpin turns was a white-knuckle experience and truly unforgettable. The incredible scenery (captured by #DasDrone001) made me feel lucky to be alive, in Hawaii, and in that moment.
“When it comes to driving the Hana Highway on Maui, it's the journey, not the destination, that is the main attraction. There are few words that can describe the beauty of this drive with its cliffs cloaked in green and lush valleys bursting with waterfalls.”
My best recommendation is to start early and purchase and download the Shaka Road to Hana Tour Guide before you go. It ended up being one of our favorite aspects of the trip. Driving the treacherous roads without reliable access to wifi is a stressful endeavor, but having the friendly audioguide help navigate the way was a huge help. It always knew exactly where we were, and would even point out things like a random small cave to the side of the road. In between scenic spots, pleasant and atmospheric Hawaiian music was played — 10/10 recommend.
Also — just go with the flow! We loved stopping at random points along the way and bought banana bread from the sweetest old woman ever from her house/stand in the middle of nowhere. She had a cat named Baby, and two dogs, and made quite an impression on the group.
Once we completed the "main" Road to Hana portion, the app recommended we turn around and drive BACK the way we came. Well, we were all a bit carsick and tired of twisty turn-y roads at that point (I was because I drove the ENTIRE way), so we decided to push on and complete the trip back via the other coastal road leading back to Kihei thus completing a day-long circle of Maui.
The roads were at times more than just a little breathtaking. On the way back we stopped, saw some whales from the side of the road, and took a lot of awesome drone footage.
A day or so later, my traveling buddies bought me a t-shirt from Lahaina that says: "I Survived the Road to Haha" as a thank you for driving. I guess you could say it was a successful adventure.
