Children's Family Harbor - Commercial Photography - Birmingham, AL /  by Tommy Daspit

Tommy Daspit is a Birmingham AL based commercial, architectural, real estate, and Google StreetView Trusted photographer.

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They say word of mouth is the best form of advertising. However, before you can get good word of mouth, you must first do good work. For those giving you that recommendation have to trust that you will do a good job for their friend, client, or coworker. After all, it’s their reputation that is most on the line in this situation. That’s why I’m very proud of the fact that the overwhelming majority of my business comes from referrals. I actually do very little in the way of advertising and marketing. My former clients, and business parters are my marketing and sales force. It’s something that I a humbled by and always drives me to do even better so that trust might be kept.

This shoot is one that I’m doubly proud of. One, it was a referral from fellow Helena Business Association member Jason Oits, owner of Perk Brands. His company does search engine optimization, marketing, social media, websites, branding, and email marketing. Children’s Harbor Family life center is one of his clients. He’s creating a new website and marketing campaign for them. Their mission is to create a place where very sick children, ones living in Children’s Hospital long term, can go to get away from the daily hospital existence. There’s a game room, computers, basketball court, family kitchen, learning resource center, fitness center, salon, quiet spaces, library, and much more. There’s no cost to the families and the benefits to the children can’t really be measured.

Driven by private donations, Children’s Harbor is constantly needing to market to potential philanthropists, while also increasing awareness of families and children to its existence. Jason knew that I Google 360º virtual tour and my commercial still images would help accomplish both of those goals. Donors could walk through and see all of the facility and see how professional, beautiful, and comprehensive Children’s Harbor is. Parents and Children could see all the offerings and be all the more comfortable once there.

Having spent a lot of time at the Dallas Children’s Hospital with my sister many years ago I had a special appreciation for the mission of Children’s Harbor. I was honored that Jason would refer me to this important client, and that Children’s harbor would choose me to showcase their facility. I’m proud to show off the final results and I know it will serve them well in both goals!

To learn more about Children’s Harbor visit them on their website!

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Pathway Pediatrics - Birmingham AL Commercial Photography /  by Tommy Daspit

Tommy Daspit is a commercial, architectural, real estate, and Google Trusted Photographer in Birmingham, AL

I recently created a Google 360º virtual tour for a newly opened pediatric clinic in Chelsea. They were working with Vehicle Media, a local web design company that I’ve partnered with on several projects in the past, to develop their website. They recommended that I create the Google tour and photos for the site design. I have always enjoyed working with Paul and Greg at Vehicle Media. They do great work and it’s nice to know that they trust me with their clients. I make it a point to only refer my clients to businesses that I know will take good care of them. After all it’s my reputation on the line as well!

I met with Megan, the practice manager and lactation nurse, before construction on the office was complete. Even in it’s unfinished state I knew it would be a great looking place and I was looking forward to photographing it!

In addition to the 360º tour and conventional commercial photos, I also created an interactive version of the tour with HotSpots. This is a new thing I’m offering on the Google tours (see this page to learn more). For the version of the tour embedded on the client’s website and Facebook pages, I can make it interactive. It can be customized with a navigation menu, automatic information when specific areas are viewed, and icons placed throughout that viewers can click on for more information. For example I can embed photo galleries, videos, links to websites or files, more details, etc. It helps a business engage more with the client, keeps them there longer, and helps them feel more connected to the business. It really takes the Google tour to a whole new level!

I’ve embedded the interactive tour below so give it a spin! Let me know what you think in the comments below or send me a message if you'd like to learn more about how this can benefit your company!

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Learn more about what the Google Street View Trusted Program can do for your business.

Carver Theater - Bimingham AL Commercial Photography /  by Tommy Daspit

Carver Theater - Bimringham AL Commercial Photographer

I’m really proud of one of my most recent shoots. Not just because of my photography, but because of the subject matter. Alabama Media Group contacted me about commercial photography for a project they were working on. Kelly Garwood, a new art director with the company, needed a photographer that specialized in architectural work, especially interiors. I’d worked with a different art director there on a previous project for a high end plumber. He recommended that she give me a call.

When I learned that the project was for the historic Carver Theater in Birmingham I knew this was one I couldn’t miss out on. The Carver is a historic landmark in its own right. Originally a black theater it was the only place for African Americans in Birmingham to see first run movies in 1935. It was renovated in 1945 and in 1990 became the home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of fame. Today they host concerts, plays, private events, and screen classic movies. 

Alabama Media Group had been hired by the theater to create a new marketing campaign, logo, and web presences. Of course they were in need of some great photos to go along with all of that. I was honored to be selected to do just that. While I always want to do a good job and always work hard, there was a level of extra pressure involved here. It was important to me that I showcase this historic landmark in a way that would make people want to go there! 

Working with Kelly and Dr Leah Tucker, executive director of the theater and museum, was a great experience. They were both professional and clearly dedicated to this historic Birmingham icon. See a few of my favorites below and if you are in Birmingham, be sure to take some time to visit the museum and theater!

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28131 Portobello Rd - Birmingham AL Real Estate Photographer /  by Tommy Daspit

Tommy Daspit is an Architectural, Commercial, Real Estate and Google Maps Business View Photographer in Birmingham, AL.

A couple of weeks ago I get a phone call from a homeowner. They have had their home on the market for some time and have had no offers. That is remarkable in this current market where homes are selling at a rate not seen since 2007. Something was amiss.

That something was the photos of the listing by the agent. Let’s just say that they didn't really represent the feel of the home and what it had to offer. Frustrated, and knowing the power of great photos when selling a house, she went searching for photographers.

She and her husband found me on houzz.com loved my work, and gave me a call. Of course I was happy to help! I’ll let client say how they felt about the results! (review they did of me on houzz.com)

“Tommy did an excellent job! He was professional and quick! The photos he took really show great details and the lighting was perfect. Photos look like something out of a magazine. Highly recommend him!”

If you’re selling a home and the agent doesn’t hire a professional who specializes in architectural and real estate photography, give me a call!

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See the real estate listing for this home.

See more of my Birmingham Alabama real estate photography.

1982 Cahaba - Birmingham AL Real Estate Photographer /  by Tommy Daspit

Tommy Daspit is an Architectural, Commercial, Real Estate and Google Maps Business View Photographer in Birmingham, AL.

This shoot is a great example of why I love working with professional real estate agents who are dedicated to their trade. Many agents aren’t “all in” when it comes to selling homes. Many do it as a “side thing” or as a “hobby”. These are the ones you will often see on sites like terriblerealestategaentphotos.com or badmlsphotos.com You can see them in the mirror with their iPhone or iPad titled at a crazy (artistic?) angle.

Michael Murphree of ARC Realty is not such an agent. He’s a full time, professional salesperson who goes the extra mile for his listings. He hires me for all of his listings (paying out of his pocket), helps get the home looking its best, and if empty or in need, he hires professional stagers to decorate and furnish the home. 

An empty home doesn’t look good. It doesn’t photograph well and it doesn’t show well. Having it professionally staged can be expensive (the agent typically pays), but it helps the home sell faster, and for more. The same applies to the photography. The better the home looks on the listing sites, the faster it will sell and for more.

BEFORE - Photo taken before staging by the agent.

BEFORE - Photo taken before staging by the agent.

AFTER - My photo taken after the staging. Which one would make you pause and take notice while flipping through the MLS?

AFTER - My photo taken after the staging. Which one would make you pause and take notice while flipping through the MLS?

BEFORE - Agent photo of dining/living room

BEFORE - Agent photo of dining/living room

AFTER - My photo, post staging.

AFTER - My photo, post staging.

This particular listing was expertly staged by Karen Sovacool of Red Door Staging in Birmingham. This is the first project I’ve photographed that she staged and I will say that I’m impressed with the results! The look and furniture are a great fit for the home and really help it shine!

Hopefully I’ll be able to work with her many more times in the future! View the full listing here. (BTW, I didn't take the first or last three photos)

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