The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped countless industries, prompting businesses and professionals to adapt to new realities. For us, the shift has been particularly significant, guiding our focus more toward real estate shoots. While we continue to cherish our passion for wedding films and photography, the evolving demands of the market have led us to explore new opportunities in real estate, transforming our offerings to encompass more than just static images.

Real estate shoots have grown into larger productions, requiring a blend of creativity, technology, and storytelling. It's no longer about simply capturing a home through photographs; the industry has elevated, and so have we. From custom tour videos to immersive 3D virtual tours, our real estate services now provide a comprehensive experience that allows potential buyers to explore properties from the comfort of their own homes. This shift represents not just an adaptation to the times, but a bold step forward in how we connect people with properties.

The Evolution of Real Estate Shoots: Beyond Photos

In the past, real estate photography was primarily about capturing high-quality images of homes, highlighting their best features to attract potential buyers. However, the pandemic accelerated the demand for more immersive and interactive ways to view properties, leading us to expand our services beyond traditional photography.

Custom Tour Videos: Bringing Listings to Life

One of the most significant changes in real estate marketing has been the rise of custom tour videos. These videos go beyond static images, offering dynamic visuals that showcase a property's layout, style, and atmosphere. By combining video footage, music, and narration, we can craft a narrative that truly brings a listing to life. This approach allows prospective buyers to experience the flow of a home, visualize themselves in the space, and connect emotionally with the property in ways that still photos simply can't achieve. Tour videos also provide the opportunity to highlight unique features of a home, such as a beautiful backyard, a spacious kitchen, or a cozy fireplace. By guiding viewers through a property, we can ensure that no detail is overlooked, creating a more engaging and comprehensive viewing experience.

Embracing Technology: 3D Virtual Tours and Matterport

Another game-changer in real estate marketing has been the integration of 3D virtual tours, particularly through the use of the Matterport system. This technology allows us to create fully immersive, interactive 3D models of properties, giving potential buyers the ability to explore a home as if they were physically there. Whether using a touchscreen, a mouse, or even virtual reality headsets, viewers can navigate through each room, zoom in on details, and get a true sense of the space.

A standout feature of the Matterport system is its ability to generate accurate floor plans complete with measurements. This level of detail is invaluable for buyers who want to understand the layout and dimensions of a property before committing to an in-person visit. The convenience and accessibility of 3D tours have made them a critical tool in the real estate industry, especially in a time when health concerns and travel restrictions may limit physical property viewings.

Why These Enhancements Matter

The addition of custom tour videos and 3D virtual tours reflects a broader shift in the real estate market: the need for enhanced online experiences. Buyers today expect more from online listings—they want to explore properties on their own terms, at their own pace, and from wherever they are. By incorporating these advanced technologies into our real estate shoots, we're meeting this demand head-on and providing a level of service that sets listings apart in a crowded market.

Moreover, these enhancements also cater to sellers, offering them a way to present their homes in the best possible light. High-quality videos and virtual tours can significantly increase a property's appeal, often leading to faster sales and higher offers. In a competitive market, having the right tools to stand out can make all the difference.

Balancing Work and Family

While our professional focus has shifted to accommodate the changing landscape of real estate, the pandemic has also brought significant changes to our personal lives. Over the past couple of years, I took a step back to spend more time raising our two daughters. Balancing work with family life has been both a challenge and a rewarding journey, filled with moments of joy, growth, and, admittedly, some chaos.

The Struggle of Balancing Work and Family

The pandemic blurred the lines between work and home life for many of us, and we were no exception. Juggling the demands of a growing business with the needs of two young children was, at times, overwhelming. There were days when it felt like we were constantly running on empty, trying to manage client expectations while also being present for our daughters.

This experience taught us valuable lessons about the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and being flexible in our approach to both work and parenting. We learned that it’s okay to step back, take a breather, and adjust our schedules to better suit our family's needs. Ultimately, the pandemic has reminded us that while work is important, nothing is more valuable than the time spent with loved ones.

Rediscovering Joy in the Little Moments

Despite the challenges, spending more time at home also allowed us to rediscover joy in the little moments—whether it was witnessing our daughters reach new milestones, enjoying family dinners without the rush, or simply taking a walk together on a sunny afternoon. These experiences have been a silver lining, providing balance and grounding us amidst the uncertainties of the past few years.

Nap time complete with actual mess in the background. No generative A.I. used

Continuing Our Passion for Wedding Films and Photography

Even as we expand our real estate services, our passion for wedding films and photography remains at the heart of what we do. Weddings are about capturing love, joy, and the essence of human connection, and we continue to be inspired by the unique stories of each couple we work with.

Navigating the Wedding Industry During a Pandemic

The wedding industry has faced its own set of challenges during the pandemic, with many couples having to postpone or downsize their celebrations. As a result, we've had to adapt to new ways of capturing weddings, often working with smaller, more intimate gatherings or creating films that focus on elopements and micro-weddings.

Through it all, our commitment to storytelling remains unwavering. Whether it's a grand celebration or a private ceremony, we strive to capture the emotions and moments that make each wedding special. The joy and excitement of our clients continue to fuel our creativity, and we're grateful for every opportunity to be part of their big day.

Expanding Horizons: The Conscious Business Podcast

In addition to our work in real estate and wedding photography, we are also excited to be producing the Conscious Business Podcast with Jesse Maciver, Clay Diebert, and Justin Foulis. This project has been a new venture for us, exploring the world of entrepreneurship through candid conversations about the realities of running a business.

A Deeper Dive into Entrepreneurship

The Conscious Business Podcast offers a platform for entrepreneurs to share their journeys, challenges, and insights in a casual, conversational format. From discussing the nitty-gritty of business operations to exploring the personal side of entrepreneurship, the podcast provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed in today’s business landscape.

Connecting with the Community

Through the podcast, we aim to connect with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about conscious business practices, personal growth, and making a positive impact. It's been inspiring to hear the stories of other entrepreneurs, learn from their experiences, and share these insights with our audience. The podcast has also been a creative outlet for us, allowing us to explore new ideas and expand our horizons beyond the realm of photography and videography.

We are currently looking for local leaders within Metro Vancouver to join us as guests on the show. If you're an entrepreneur with a story to tell, insights to share, or a passion for conscious business, we'd love to have you on the podcast. It's an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, connect with our community, and inspire others through shared experiences.

If you are new to podcasts and need help starting yours, reach out to us for an all-in-one solution with a location, filming, and editing of your podcast.

Curtis’ YouTube Cooking Channel: Indo Chef

Beyond our professional projects, Curtis has found another creative outlet through his YouTube cooking channel, **Indo Chef**, which is nearing 1,000 subscribers. Indo Chef provides two unique opportunities: sharing our love of food and cooking, and serving as a testbed for experimenting with new camera equipment, lighting techniques, and editing styles.

From Lockdown Project to a Multifaceted Channel

The Indo Chef channel began as a casual project in 2020 during the lockdown when there wasn’t much to do. What started as simple cooking tutorials has since evolved into a broader platform that includes restaurant reviews and travel vlogging. Each episode is a blend of culinary exploration and technical experimentation, allowing us to refine our skills in videography while sharing our passion for food.

Whether it’s whipping up a traditional dish, exploring new cuisines, or reviewing local restaurants, Indo Chef is all about celebrating the joy of cooking and eating. The channel's growth has been a pleasant surprise, and we’re excited to continue developing it further.

A Call to Action

If you love food, travel, or just enjoy learning new recipes, we invite you to check out Indo Chef. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel—your support helps us continue to grow and create content that we’re passionate about!

Looking Ahead: Embracing Change and New Opportunities

As we reflect on the past few years, it's clear that change has been a constant theme in our journey. The shift to real estate shoots, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the launch of new projects like the Conscious Business Podcast and Indo Chef have all been part of our evolution. While the road hasn't always been smooth, each twist and turn has brought valuable lessons and new opportunities.

Embracing the Future of Real Estate Marketing

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue exploring the potential of real estate marketing, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with technology and creativity. As the market continues to evolve, so will we, staying at the forefront of industry trends and offering innovative solutions to our clients.

Remaining True to Our Passions

At the same time, we remain committed to our core passions—capturing beautiful moments through wedding films and photography, and connecting with our community through the Conscious Business Podcast. These endeavours keep us grounded, remind us of why we started, and fuel our drive to keep creating.

A Journey of Growth and Adaptation

The past couple of years have been a blur, filled with highs and lows, but they have also been a period of significant growth and adaptation. We've learned to navigate the challenges of a changing world, to balance the demands of business and family, and to embrace new opportunities with open hearts and open minds.

As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for the journey thus far and excitement for what's to come. Whether through real estate shoots, wedding films, or engaging conversations on our podcast, we are dedicated to telling stories that resonate, inspire, and connect. Thank you for being part of our journey—we can't wait to see where it takes us next.

Links for everyone

Jesse MacIver

Website Jessemaciver.com Socials @jesse.maciver.real.estate

Justin Foulis

Website www.newimagemortgage.mystrategyhub.ca/ Socials @j_foulis

Clayton Diebert. Socials @aday.withclay

Embracing Change: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Shifted Our Focus to Real Estate Shoots and New Creative Ventures