Staging Diva Grad Leah Fritz has this staging business dilemma about home staging photos and wonders what she should do.
See what you think and add your comments below.
“A homeowner I did a home staging consultation for took such excellent detailed notes during our meeting that she was able to execute my whole staging vision herself!
After the recommended painting, updates, and editing were all done, this client arranged and styled all the rooms herself, just the way I suggested.
I thought she wanted me to come back for a work day, but the home is completely staged and now on the market.
I saw the photos of her house online and it looks lovely. I’m not upset because I’m glad she found my home staging consultation helpful. Obviously she was able to move forward confidently with a clear executable plan.
My question is: Can I use before and after home staging photos of this house in my home staging portfolio? Do you think its OK to consider this staging as an example of my work? I really want to go back to this house and take some photos for myself since I already have the before shots. Look at it like this… I didn’t shoot the gun, but I gave this client the bullets. What would you do?”
How would you answer this dilemma as a home stager? I’ll share my thoughts later but first, I’d like to hear what you would do about your need for home staging photos in the same situation.
Have you ever faced this before in your own staging business? Please share your comments below.
Editors note: Click here for the follow up story.
Laurel says
Absolutely! Sometimes clients pay for your physical work, sometimes they pay for your professional advice. Just tell the client, “I’m so glad you took my advice and were able to transform your home. Everything turned out so wonderful, that I’d love to add your home to my portfolio to show other homeowners what they can do.”
Amy Bly says
I agree partially with Laurel — I’ve used photos of clients’ homes several times when I didn’t do the actual staging, just made the recommendations and they followed through. But I say that with a caveat: I only show those photos on my FB page, not on my website or in my physical portfolio, because since I didn’t do the actual work, I don’t feel as comfortable putting them on my website. I’m very interested to hear what Debra and others have to say.
Alison Davies says
I agree.
Your expertise and objective opinion resulted in the homeowner having a home ready to sell.
Not every stager is ‘hands on’ all the time but still deserve credit where it is due.
I always ask clients if I can use before and after pictures and all agree.
Perhaps you could put ‘result of staging consultation’ after those pictures.
My only concern is that occasionally I see things I would have done differently to be ready for online photos and usually prefer to do a last minute ‘tweak’ myself.
Brittany Kramer says
If you are having doubts I would go with your gut feeling and not use the photos. Instead, why don’t you ask the home owner for a positive testimonial on your services. More and more people today rely on opinions of others through online references like Yelp and Angie’s list. If your client uses Facebook and Twitter, you could ask them to post the pictures and refer your services at the same time.
Stacy Goade says
Leah,
I just had this same home staging experience myself and I found myself asking the same question. Is it really an example of my home staging talent and expertise when my client follows my staging plan so precisely that the home looks incredible? Yes, it is, as long as the redesign represents the work that the home stager would have done on her/his own. (Taking credit for great staging when it wasn’t my idea to begin with would be dishonest , unprofessional and unethical.) After praising my client for the amazing work and energy she put into staging her home I sought out her thoughts about posting the “after” photos on my website as examples of my staging work. My client made it clear to me that she could not have sold her home without my guidance, encouragement and specific instructions. When she saw her home buyer “fall in love” with her living room, just as I predicted, she realized then that a professional home stager is worth their weight in gold and that my expertise is what helped her home sale move forward after 60 days on the market and no buyer interest! I have a couple of this client’s “before” and “after” photos posted to my new website and although there are a few small details that would have completed the staging had I done the rooms myself, my client came very close with the resources and the time available to her. It was team work and as professionals we give credit where credit is due. Yet if we are the major force behind a successful home sale it is appropriate to give ourselves credit as well.
Marcia says
Most definitely consider this an example of your staging. What she did was based on YOUR recommendations. I bet she’ll be thrilled to have you come back and take some pictures. It never hurts to ask!
Debbie Fiskum says
Good question! I’d just call the client up and say, “Your home looks absolutely charming in the listing photos! It looks like you took my advice to heart and did a great job of staging the house yourself. Would you mind if I used a couple of your photos in my portfolio? I’d be happy to include your name if you wish!”
If she would prefer you take your own, ask when it would be a good time to come over and take a few shots.
Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations Home Staging in Denver
Pamela Moore says
You could always include a section in your portfolio that shows a client what can be done by taking your advice and doing the work yourself. Many clients want to do the work themselves and save money so I would consider it a selling point in the consultation if you can emphasize what can be done if the take good notes and follow your advice to the letter. Most homeowners are so happy with the results that they are more than willing for you to come back and take pics.
Stacy Goade says
Pamela,
I really like your suggestion about before and after photos of successful DIY clients that one can show to new DIY clients. Would you create a separate page on a website for DIY, or just email before and after photos to new DIY clients?
Brittany,
I think I can apply your testimonial idea by adding the DIY client’s testimonial to the before/after phots I present to a new DIY client.
Thanks to both of you!
Pamela Moore says
Stacy,
I would probably only use the DIY photos/info on in home consultations where you can tell the homeowner is trying to save money and is more than likely not going to have you do the work. You still get the consultation fees and when the home sells the opportunity to celebrate with the homeowner.