Opportunities Available as Vicaso Expands in US, EU & AU
November 3rd, 2008
I’ve done posts in the past on Vicaso. The last one, in March of this year was one of the most popular posts on the blog this year. It’s easy to understand why. Vicaso images are some of the best examples of interior HDR images that I’ve seen. To my eye, they have the right amount of brightness, saturation, clarity and sharpness but none of the artifacts usually associated with HDR. They are lovely images! Here are some examples of Vicaso iFlyer tours:
- 13524 SE 50th Pl Bellevue, WA
- 244 Parfitt Way, Bainbridge Island, WA
- 2908 Calle De Malibu, Escondido, CA
- 14110 Summit Crest Escondido, CA
- 7653 N Bosworth #A-2, Chicago, IL
In addition to stunning images, the iFlyer tour design is, I think, outstanding. It is simple yet elegant design. Everything you need and nothing you don’t, as the Nissan commercial says. The combination of the stunning images and the elegant tour makes a very compelling real estate marketing product. Don’t ask me about their post processing because I don’t know any details of their HDR processing and they are not going to tell anyone since that is clearly part of their competitive advantage.
Yesterday, I talked to Tamara Christopherson, the Vicaso Marketing/Communications Director, about Vicaso plans to expand from Seattle to Portland, San Fransisco, San Jose, LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Colorado Springs, Boston, Chicago, DC and eventually Australia and Western Europe. They are hiring photographers, Sales Managers, Sales Associates in all these locations. Click here for more details on these job opportunities.
The Vicaso business model involves doing all post processing centrally so images have consistent quality, to allow photographers to focus just on shooting and so they don’t have to disclose their secret sauce. Also, photographers do not have to do marketing unless they want to operate in a dual role of photographer and sales associate. To shoot for Vicaso photographers sign a agreement to shoot real estate only for Vicaso for 6 months at a time.
14 Responses to “Opportunities Available as Vicaso Expands in US, EU & AU”
Julie November 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 pm #
Where do I sign up? Images look great. Anyone know if they are coming to New York???
larry November 4th, 2008 at 7:23 am #
Julie- Applications for all positions are at:
http://www.vicaso.net/jobs
Photo News Today » Blog Archive » Oppurtunities Available as Vicaso Expands in US, EU & AU November 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am #
[...] Source and Read More: photographyforrealestate.net [...]
Chester Bullock November 4th, 2008 at 9:19 am #
Thanks Larry, looks like they have good stuff.
Allen Hoffman November 4th, 2008 at 9:41 am #
I’ve looked at Vista Estates (Vicaco in the Northwest) and read their job description. I think this is a great way to make money to buy more equipment and maybe to get some on the job training. But it isn’t enough for me long term.
I’m brand new to re photography and I learned photography as a large format, black and white landscape photographer. To me the darkroom was just as important as the camera (read Adam’s The Negative). So giving up post production control of my images to a clerk somewhere off in the ether reduces me to a camera operator.
I’ve looked at their images and most look like good HDR processing with very little other post production. I look at them and see a uniformity of color saturation and sharpness that gives them a flat look. To my eye, those images cry out for more processing to reach a realistic look.
By now, you can tell that I don’t see my role as schlepping photos to real estate agents, I see my work as art. I can’t imagine Scott Hargis or Thomas Grubba or Sylivia Guardo M. signing up for Vicaso. I want my work to be on their level.
But to make a buck to by more equipment, I might do it for a short time.
Rick Lamb November 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am #
Allen I come from a similar background and couldn’t agree more! Fortunately I already have most of the equipment I need for RE photography other than a couple TS lenses and a super wide such as the Canon 14mm.
Like Allen I put huge pride into my work and truly enjoy executing the whole process from camera craft to post processing in Lightroom and Photoshop as needed.
For me (and this is merely the opinion of a recently fleshed RE fotog…) all the samples carry that HDR look to them. That isn’t successful use of HDR. Not for me it isn’t at least.
Dan Achatz does some amazing work with HDR most of which is VERY difficult to readily identify as HDR. This for me equates to HDR done right. And in experimenting with HDR on my own I can easily say – I’ve done a LOT of BAAAAD HDR work!! Thankfully these were shots of my own home with no one watching!! DOH!!
This is why I switched to Enfuse! It got me well far away from the smokey room effect….!
josh November 5th, 2008 at 1:00 am #
Looks pretty average to me.
When do you get light so even in a room all grey.
But if people like it I suppose thats all that counts.
What do the photographic purists think.
Grey light, no hues and not many tones.What are you thinking
I suppose again its a sign of the times.
I would hope its very low budget stuff.
Bryce November 5th, 2008 at 10:23 am #
They must be doing well, otherwise they wouldn’t be looking to expand. I have the same mindset as Allen & Rick. I believe true photographers should have complete control over their rates, their clientele, their photographs, and processing their photographs. Taking bracketed images for someone else to process for low pay (which you’d have to offset with high volume), in addition to having to sign an exclusivity agreement, has zero appeal to me.
While not the pinnacle of quality, the images in the Vicaso portfolio are good. Unfortunately, since each client won’t be graced with the same photographer who took the images in the portfolio, the quality will vary. That’s probably my main nitpick about these large RE Photography companies. The quality is always inconsistent. That’s why it’s always best for agents to seek out an individual, high-level photographer whom they can stick with for all of their orders. It’s best for their image, and it’s best for the homeowner.
I’m reminded of the old saying “If you can’t beat them, join them”. With their sales reps, big advertising budgets, and brand recognition, it’s tough to compete with big companies like Vicaso. It’s tempting to join them. However, if you’re like me and you cherish your independence, earnings potential, and artistic expression, say “no thanks”.
Michael November 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pm #
Hi
I wanted to share some feedback with all of you. I had been shooting with Obeo and started with Vicaso about 2 months ago. On average shoots, I have been getting about twice as much as with Obeo and do about the same amount of work. I guess they can do this because the agents pay about twice as much.
In the very beginning, I did give it a shot on my own. The (rather Romantic) idea of having full control over everything was appealing to me as well. The problem was after promoting myself, scheduling shoots (rescheduling, canceling, back and forth with agents!) sitting in front of the computer for too many nights to count, collecting payment, accounting, etc. suddenly my life was gone (working a surgeons hours!)
Retaining 100% of the revenue seemed good, but one week I tracked all hours spent (being honest with myself) and the average hourly rate was something like $8. Not cool. I dont know how some of you are doing it. If there are any magic bullets, please let me know as I would still like to do it on my own.
I guess it depends on what you want. Once I upload my file my hands are washed of it and I enjoy having decent income and (a lot!) more free time (more projects of my own!!!)
If anyone else gives Vicaso a shot and has any input, please let me know or post to the forum. It would be interesting to see how it works for others…
Allen Hoffman November 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm #
Its good to hear the feedback. I liked Michael’s posts because it shows that each of us has different expectation from the work.
josh November 5th, 2008 at 7:56 pm #
Hi Michael
I have posted before.
Try these guys if you want to go it alone.
http://www.internationalfloorplans.com/
They do a good job, back next day.
Also they do floorplans colour and B/W and interactive ones.
If you get yourself an online system fo delivery..there are a few cheap ones out there you can have them upload to it.
I think what you will find is that you have built a relationship with your clients and now you may give this away to some third party.
Chester Bullock November 11th, 2008 at 8:37 am #
Larry – just an FYI – I submitted a form to Vicaso on 11/4, and still have yet to hear anything from them. Not sure they were serious about this…
Michael December 27th, 2008 at 11:28 am #
From Viasco website Q&A:
Once I sign up, can I shoot for other real estate photography companies?
You can continue shooting real estate for other companies so long as you are following their techniques and not applying TrueView techniques.
Michael December 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am #
Anyone worked with PreviewFirst.com?