Drone Photographs—11220 N Park Ridge, Princeville :: Peoria, Illinois, Drone Aerial Photographer

Exterior home drone aerial photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

“[Drone photography] really sets you apart and shows you’re trying to do something different from the pack.”

— Liza Mendez, Realtor

Attracting buyers to your listing is always a challenge. With so many properties available online, how do you get buyers to click on your home's listing?

Aerial imagery will become increasingly popular this year. To help central Illinois agents and homeowners better market their properties for sale, I'm adding drone photography and videography services. This home in Princeville, Illinois, just north of Peoria, was an excellent candidate for some spectacular aerial images. Getting the camera off the ground is the only way to make these kinds of pictures.

To create these photographs, I used a DJI Mavic Pro. Although practically a drone, DJI markets this quadcopter as a "flying camera." And, as you can see, it works very well for that task.

Pole aerial photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL — Pole aerial photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

While the first three photographs were made with the drone, this last image wasn't taken from the sky. I mounted my camera on a painter's pole and made the picture that way, a technique called "pole aerial photography" (or PAP in the lingo). The camera sits atop the pole and is remotely controlled with an app on my phone.

One of my boys joined me on a shoot recently and took a couple pictures of me using the pole while I photographed a building (see below). He likes to call it my giant selfie stick.

Demonstrating pole aerial photography technique for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL — Demonstrating pole aerial photography technique for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Whether with the pole or from 200 feet up with the drone, these are the kinds of images that can help you attract buyers when you're selling your home. If you're in central Illinois (Bloomington/Normal, Springfield, Peoria), please drop me a line if you're interested in exploring drone photography for your listing.

And, yes, I am certified by the FAA, properly insured, and authorized to fly in the Class G airspace around Princeville—since you asked.

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Michael Gowin and filed under Photographs and tagged drone real estate residential pfre.

Property Photographs—2002 W Delray Drive :: Peoria, Illinois, Real Estate Photographer

UPDATE (4/17/2017): This lovely home went under contract after just 13 days on the market. Once again, professional staging and professional photography make a difference.

Super clean, remodeled throughout, and move-in ready on the upper west side of Peoria. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms with an attractive open living room/dining room/kitchen area upstairs. Christine Goodman has the listing and all of the details are on Realtor.com: 2002 W Delray Dr, Peoria, IL, 61614.

I used the drone for the aerials of the front and rear exterior views. These give the home a unique perspective that helps it stand out as shoppers are browsing through listings.

Interior living room photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior living room and dining room photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior dining room and kitchen photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior kitchen photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior master bedroom photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior master bathroom photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior bedroom photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior family room photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Michael Gowin and filed under Photographs and tagged pfre real estate residential photography drone aerial.

Three Questions You Need to Ask Before You Hire a Drone Photographer

Home exterior photographed with a drone :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL // Michael Gowin

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS)—more commonly known as drones—are soaring in popularity in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded 670,000 drone registrations in 2016 and that number is expected to grow in 2017.

With the ability to make photographs and videos from new vantage points, a drone pilot can capture unique images for your business. Whether you need marketing photographs of a home for a real estate listing, a survey map of a farm field, or the ability to inspect a building or tower, drones offer notable advantages over traditional methods of doing the same things.

This new technology creates new opportunities but business owners, from real estate agents to farmers, need to be aware that they can't hire just anyone with a drone to do a job. Here are three crucial questions you should ask a drone aerial operator before you sign a contract.

1. Are you an FAA-certified remote pilot?

The FAA passed new rules on August 29, 2016, governing the commercial use of unmanned aircraft in the national airspace. Referred to as Part 107, those rules include the following requirements for remote pilots (drone operators):

Must be at least 16 years old
Must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center
Must be vetted by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA)
Must register their aircraft

Drone operators who fulfill these requirements receive a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating from the FAA. Hobbyists aren't held to the same standards but anyone flying commercially—for hire to photograph a house, survey a farm field, or inspect a tower—must be FAA-certified. If they're not, they are breaking the law. Penalties could include steep fines.

There are other requirements and guidelines as well but a certified remote pilot should be familiar with them. Before you hire a drone photographer, ask if they are FAA-certified.

2. Are you authorized to fly in this area?

If you live in an area that's anywhere near an airport, your photographer might need permission from the FAA to fly there.

The FAA is concerned that all aircraft operate safely while they're in flight. Areas adjacent to airports are considered controlled airspace and remote pilots must be authorized by the FAA to fly in those areas. In central Illinois (where I live), for example, much of Peoria and Springfield are covered in Class C airspace and the entire Bloomington/Normal locale is encircled by Class D airspace.

As part of their certification training, remote pilots learn to read airspace maps called VFR sectional charts. Using these charts, remote pilots can see where controlled airspace begins and ends so they can 1) avoid a potential collision with manned aircraft and 2) be compliant with FAA rules.

Additionally, areas like national parks and the airspace around Washington, D.C., are prohibited and ban the use of drones entirely. Temporary flight restrictions, or TFRs, for special events (presidential visits, sporting events, etc.) can limit the use of unmanned aircraft as well.

Remote pilots can seek waivers/authorization from the FAA to fly in controlled airspace but these can take time for the FAA to review and approve—up to 90 days. The FAA is taking steps to reduce the wait but, at the moment, expect a 90-day lead time.

Check with your drone photographer well in advance of your project to ensure they can request authorization if necessary.

3. Do you have drone insurance?

The last thing you want is to have your project spoiled by a crashed drone—or worse. A crashed aircraft can damage property and injure those on the ground.

Any good photography business will carry general liability insurance. In many cases, though, that general liability policy won't cover the use of an unmanned aircraft. Insurance companies now offer policies especially for drones. Though the FAA doesn't require remote pilots to carry drone insurance (yet), it's best to make sure your photographer is adequately insured in case of an accident.

The proof is in the documents

Conscientious remote pilots should have their FAA documentation (Part 107 sUAS certificate and aircraft registration), any waivers/authorizations they've received, proof of insurance, as well as a pilot's log book available for prospective clients to examine. Just ask!

One last thing

If you plan to hire a drone pilot for photography or video work, you might find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the legal guidelines for commercial drone projects. KnowBeforeYouFly.org has an excellent—and brief—overview of those rules.

And one last, last thing: I passed my Part 107 certification test in February 2017 and am logging training hours on a DJI Mavic Pro drone. I'll be offering my clients drone aerial photography and videography services soon—stay tuned.

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Michael Gowin and filed under Advice and tagged drone photography real estate.

Property Photographs — 1824 California Road, Pekin :: Peoria, Illinois, Real Estate Photographer

Exterior home photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Want privacy and space in the country but easy access to urban amenities? This could be your next home.

This Victorian-styled home features a country-contemporary interior with four bedrooms and a spacious finished basement. Beautiful hardwood floors and light oak details throughout. And it's located just minutes from Pekin, Morton, and Peoria.

Before I came in for photography, Elaine Goslin and Cheryl McGuire from Turning Point Spaces staged and styled the home. I appreciated their design work on another Peoria home I photographed last year—you can see they do a fine job.

Chris Augspurger in Morton, IL, has the listing. See more photos and full details at Realtor.com: 1824 California Road, Pekin, IL 61554.

Interior home office and dining room photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior home office photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior dining room photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Interior hallway and stair rail detail photograph for real estate :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Michael Gowin and filed under Photographs and tagged pfre photography real estate residential.

Staging Photographs — Peoria, Illinois, Interior Photographer

Living room home interior detail photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Here's a project I recently photographed for stager and designer Tracy Molendi.

This home was being prepped for sale and needed a complete overhaul—paint, flooring, design, appliances—everything. Tracy worked with the homeowners to create an attractive space that would attract a buyer, and she's done a superb job. I came in to document Tracy's work for her design portfolio.

Aaron Miller has listing details on Realtor.com: 100 E Maywood Street, Morton, IL 61550.

Dining room home interior photograph ::  Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL — Dining room home interior photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Home office interior photograph ::  Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL — Home office interior photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Dining room and living room home interior photograph ::  Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL — Dining room and living room home interior photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Family room home interior photograph ::  Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL — Family room home interior photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Kitchen home interior photograph ::  Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL — Kitchen home interior photograph :: Illinois Home Photography, Lincoln, IL

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Michael Gowin and filed under Photographs and tagged interior design photography real estate.

Property Photographs — 12433 N Oakmont Ct, Dunlap :: Peoria, Illinois, Real Estate Photographer

Exterior home photograph for real estate in Dunlap, IL :: Illinois Home Photography by Michael Gowin, Lincoln, IL

This lovely, large four bedroom home sits in a secluded cul-de-sac neighborhood just north of Peoria, Illinois. Beautiful tile and hardwood floors grace the open first floor. Spacious and move-in ready.

Jackie Hoerr has the listing; you'll find all the details on Realtor.com: 12433 N Oakmont Ct, Dunlap, IL 61525.

By the way—if this home looks familiar, it was featured in the before & after video I showed the other day. I'm developing some new interior lighting techniques and pleased with the way this home photographed. Thanks again to Tracy Molendi from Simply Organized & Staged for her fabulous work.