A Unique Workshop / Retreat for Estate and Rental Agents
Dates still to be Announced
Join writer, photographer and lecturer Simon Lawrence for an exciting and unique Photography Retreat at the magnificent Oxon Hoath Country House Estate, and learn how to take better photographs of the properties you are selling.
Simon says... 'Many thanks for taking a look at this exciting retreat... Before you read any further or ask the question I would like to say that improving your photographs will take little or no extra time, you may have to invest £25.00 in additional specialist equipment! And once you have completed your training, you will be perfectly qualified to teach your colleagues how to improve their photography too and right beside you you'll have your detailed lessons in printed form to refer to...'
Simon says... 'Many thanks for taking a look at this exciting retreat... Before you read any further or ask the question I would like to say that improving your photographs will take little or no extra time, you may have to invest £25.00 in additional specialist equipment! And once you have completed your training, you will be perfectly qualified to teach your colleagues how to improve their photography too and right beside you you'll have your detailed lessons in printed form to refer to...'
Oxon Hoath
We will have the full use of Oxon Hoath... a beautiful Country Estate set amongst 72 acres of stunning
Kent countryside to photograph.
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The interior of the house will provide the usual challenges you will find anywhere, small and large and darkened rooms, sometimes light streaming through the tall windows and then dark areas that you want and need to record, but so often leave you scratching your head, wondering how to capture it at it's best for your sales particulars and on your website.
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Why good photographs are so important
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Buyers often formulate opinions about which property to see based on the photographs you use in your marketing... in your newspaper ads, flyers, and most importantly these days on your website(s).
If your photos are just average then potential clients may skip past your listing. Good looking images, that show off a home at its best, entice us to look closer. The sole reason you do any marketing is to make one property stand out from the others... and photographs that accurately reflect the home increase the chances of attracting the right buyer, and more quickly too. Selling a house is not a real estate function...it is a marketing function, and great photographs sell more houses. |
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This retreat is limited to a small group in order that all can experience one to one tuition during your sessions.
Think about the marketing used for products you are exposed to every day. Have you ever seen a bad photograph in an ad for a car or a new wrist watch? Of course not. Have you ever seen a badly composed shot in a cosmetics ad? Never. Photographs are powerful bait. Good images can lure buyers; poor ones can do the opposite.
I am sure this is something most of you know instinctively, but let's face it, you are not photographers... you are Estate Agents, but unfairly you are expected to be a Photographer for a great part of your working week.
So why not learn how to take better photographs? YOU really don't need to be a professional photographer, nor employ one - all you need is a little training... and that is what we do!
Simon asked an London Agent what he thought the most important aspect of property marketing... 'Professional photography is 100% essential to marketing any home, at any price range in any location. I will not put a home on the market without the highest quality photography. It attracts more buyers and therefore a higher sale price for our owners.'
Another highlighted that great images are synonymous with professional property sales: 'Good photography can be the difference between a purchaser opening a web link or moving on to the next. Additionally, the way an office markets property directly reflects their professionalism to the public.'
Because more and more people are searching for properties online before they even step into an estate agents office, great photographs are increasingly becoming essential in marketing a house.
A good photograph of a property will catch the eye of house-hunters instantly, whereas poorly lit, wonky pictures are off-putting and relegate a property to the ‘to look at later' list!
'With today’s home buyers doing most of their house hunting online, great home pictures are an absolute must. I think most of you would agree that bad listing photos are a very real problem in your industry.
Simon's teaching is for agents who know very little or nothing about photography, or for those wanting to get even better pictures.
'Over 90 percent of the initial real estate search is done online,' says Ian Turnball. 'People are making decisions based on photographs. I think it’s essential to use a professional photographer.'
But it is here Simon Disagrees...!
Anyone can buy a camera, point it at a house or a room and take a photograph.
But do they look professional enough?
Are they correctly exposed?
What's in focus, and does it really matter?
Composition, does your photo sit right or is it a bit wonky?
What are your colours like?
Simon says... 'Photography has no secrets… just principles you've yet to master. All of us in this great photographic adventure eventually become masters, masters of recording light and exploring its many mysteries.'
During your time at Oxon Hoath you will take a journey with Simon; whatever your current level of expertise he will help you with the many principles that help your photographs become images that will make your Agency as visually professional as you are personally with your clients.
Your training at Oxon Hoath will be very 'hands-on', so you will be taking lots of photos and working on them too.
We will teach you how to correct images with bad lighting, how to make the best use of available light, and the basic rules of composition that will drastically improve all your property photography.
Discover why trying to make a room look as big as possible may not sell as well as making a room look interesting.
We’ll show you simple fixes to get round the problem of looking from a dark room into a light one and vice versa, and how to deal with annoying reflections from windows and doors, and when to make use of them.
Bring your own cameras along and find out what they are really capable of.
Why do buildings in some photos look as if they are falling over? Discover the benefits and pitfalls of using very wide angle lenses.
For higher end properties we can show you the techniques and equipment needed to take images for brochures and booklets - you will be surprised at how little equipment you need. So often you will be told you need a high end digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera, but Simon will show you how even the most basic camera will be more than adequate with the right knowledge and you will be getting exactly that!
We will teach you how to correct images with bad lighting, how to make the best use of available light, and the basic rules of composition that will drastically improve all your property photography.
Discover why trying to make a room look as big as possible may not sell as well as making a room look interesting.
We’ll show you simple fixes to get round the problem of looking from a dark room into a light one and vice versa, and how to deal with annoying reflections from windows and doors, and when to make use of them.
Bring your own cameras along and find out what they are really capable of.
Why do buildings in some photos look as if they are falling over? Discover the benefits and pitfalls of using very wide angle lenses.
For higher end properties we can show you the techniques and equipment needed to take images for brochures and booklets - you will be surprised at how little equipment you need. So often you will be told you need a high end digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera, but Simon will show you how even the most basic camera will be more than adequate with the right knowledge and you will be getting exactly that!
This will be a thoroughly enjoyable and creative few days with your camera, meeting new ‘friends’ and enjoying delicious food amidst the peace and tranquillity of this exceptional setting....... that is Oxon Hoath.
What's Included in your stay at Oxon Hoath:
We will have full use of Oxon Hoath for the duration of your stay.
- Tuition and mentoring by Simon Lawrence
- Full board accommodation - breakfast, lunch and evening meal (wonderful vegetarian home cooked food grown in the walled garden at Oxon Hoath)
- Please note: There is an additional charge for meat dishes - £4.00 per person per meal (except breakfast)
- For Special Dietary Requirements there is a surcharge of £4.50 per person
- (Drinks from bar not included)
- This wonderful property to photograph
- On arrival enjoy a delicious Cream Tea
- Help yourself to free tea and coffee - all day
- Free Wifi available (ground floor only)
- Bath and Hand Towels are supplied
- There is Free Parking
And remember... Your training is a Tax Deductable Expense and will be a set of skills you will not only have for life but also one you can share freely with your colleagues!
(Food is freshly prepared daily, using locally sourced seasonal vegetables, often gathered from Oxon Hoath's own walled kitchen garden, and is cooked by the resident chef).
If you would like more information about the venue, please click this LINK to visit the Oxon Hoath website.
If you would like to speak to Simon or for more details please email him HERE... please leave your name and telephone number and the best time for him to call you back,
Non participating partners are welcome at a reduced fee, please email us HERE for full details
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Prices (per person)
Bedroom Accommodation Single (with ensuite) Single (shared bathroom) Twin (with ensuite) Twin (shared bathroom) Double Bed (with ensuite) |
Single Occupancy £475.00 £425.00 £475.00 £425.00 £475.00 |
Double Occupancy - - £450.00 £400.00 £450.00 |
Non participating partners are welcome...
