Planomatic - DPChallenge Forums

10/31/2014 04:50:09 PM · #1

Has anyone heard of this company? Any experience with them?
I recently came across an ad looking for a photographer in the Detroit Metro area to shoot real estate for them. I replied and sent them portfolio images, and have now received an email that they would like to do a phone interview. I visited their web page, Planomatic.com, and found it pretty interesting. Just would like to hear from anyone who may have worked with them before. Interview could be this evening or Monday.

Message edited by author 2014-10-31 16:50:56.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/01/2014 11:37:49 AM · #2

nobody?
Interview will be this coming Monday or Tuesday now

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

11/01/2014 01:27:57 PM · #3

Never heard of 'em. They LOOK good, on the surface at least. Sorry :-(

You can clock through a lot of listings just by changing the last couple numbers on this url. They characteristically shoot all their interiors I've seen so far with strobe fill, but within that constraint they are well done. The company seems to be operating all over the USA, so it would seem to be a viable operation.

//www.planomatic.com/23219

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/01/2014 01:37:15 PM · #4

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

//www.planomatic.com/23219

OK, WAYNE Rd. in NEWTON, Mass.... as Bill Cosby would say, Riiight ... :-)

Sorry, the old browser I'm on now won't display their actual pages -- I'll try later at the library.

11/01/2014 03:51:04 PM · #5

Thanks for checking them out Robert. They look legit to me too, but I get a bit more cautious when I find the ad on Craigslist. I'm thinking even if the pay isn't great, it would still provide me an opportunity to learn more, build a portfolio, and have something to add to a resume'. All they say in the ad for compensation is 'pay per job'. They had messaged me to say they wanted to do a phone interview either that afternoon if I was available or on Monday. This was while I was at my mammography job so I did not see it right away. I messaged them back around 1:30pm to say I would be available that day after 4:30 or after 6pm on Monday. I also tried calling but got their voice mail and left a message. I hope to hear back from them on Monday.
I would really like to get into real estate photography so this seems like a good opportunity.
I also just applied to work for JC Penney / LifeTouch as any photography position would not only supplement my current part time job, but also be an opportunity for me to learn more in areas I have not really pursued before.

11/04/2014 05:58:55 PM · #6

so, phone interview is set for 10:30 am tomorrow. Wish me luck!

11/04/2014 07:37:28 PM · #7

Looking through their website would give me pause to hire them if I were looking for a photographer to shoot for me. Look at this link. Services the photo of the photographer? Well it's flipped and the EOS 7D is backwards! If they can't even shoot a proper photo for the website, how can they do it of my listing!

Matt

11/04/2014 07:46:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by MattO:

Dang that's harsh Matt. The company probably hired someone to do their website, and the web designer is the one who failed them. I think overall the images they show on each property look like quality work. If they would hire me on, I would jump at it. Especially since right now I am only working part time and having to stay with family.

11/04/2014 08:01:50 PM · #9

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

Originally posted by MattO:
Looking through their website would give me pause to hire them if I were looking for a photographer to shoot for me. Look at this link. Services the photo of the photographer? Well it's flipped and the EOS 7D is backwards! If they can't even shoot a proper photo for the website, how can they do it of my listing!

Matt

Dang that's harsh Matt. The company probably hired someone to do their website, and the web designer is the one who failed them. I think overall the images they show on each property look like quality work. If they would hire me on, I would jump at it. Especially since right now I am only working part time and having to stay with family.

Not harsh at all. Have you seen what companies like theirs charge for a set of photos for a listing? I have a friend who does high end real estate, she pays a fortune yearly to have them done well. I sent the link to her to ask her about it. She pointed that out, and suggested it would give her reason to question whether to use them or not. She said, they claim to hire only professionals, however their website uses a flipped photo to represent that professional? This is from someone in the industry who sells $250K and above homes.

11/04/2014 11:16:13 PM · #10

I hear you Matt, just saying if that is the only thing on their website that makes you question them, is it possible that their web designer just got one past them?

Either way, I am broke and really could use the work. Phone interview is tomorrow.
If they ask the question of what compensation I expect, I am not sure what to say though as I have no idea what other companies pay their real estate photographers. Any input or idea for me there?

11/04/2014 11:40:23 PM · #11

Sadly they pay their "Professional" photographers a sad sum. Look at a thread started by a member here, I think it is title looking for photographers or something like that. It's pretty sad what they require and what they pay. I wouldn't shoot real estate for a realty company for less than $250 and likely depending on real estate I'd require up to $500 per house. But I assure you those numbers they offer won't even be close to that.

11/04/2014 11:50:02 PM · #12

well, I have shot a 3 bedroom house with just a daytime exterior shot and all the rooms for $150, so it can't be much worse. It was only a 900 sq foot home though.

Message edited by author 2014-11-04 23:50:34.

Thread I was referring too.

11/04/2014 11:53:24 PM · #13

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

11/05/2014 12:26:32 AM · #14

Good luck on the interview, Linda. Hope things go well.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

11/05/2014 01:55:36 AM · #15

Good luck, Linda!

Sadly, I'm not very bright and I shoot houses for a local agent for free. AND I loaned her kid my 10-22 for about a month, but she *pays* him. After about the fourth house, she gave me a Starbucks gift card. These are houses that sell for $500-750K. But that's also soCal pricing. Elsewhere they'd be mid $100s to $200s, maybe.

11/05/2014 04:49:43 PM · #16

The phone interview seemed to go well. By the end, I was told they were interviewing 4 of us, and that I was a solid candidate at this time. They will get back to me within a few days to set up a second interview via Skype.
The job entails taking the photos and laser measurements of the floor plan. They pay $250 to train the person in doing the laser floor plan stuff. Pay is per job - 25% of their fee to the broker. Minimum paid is $50 for a small home with a low listing fee, but most homes they are hired to shoot are at least 3000 sq foot and up. So larger homes can be pretty decent money. They also pay mileage to and from locations.
I would not be responsible for any post processing for them - must send RAW files and the laser floor measurements that are placed into the software they load free onto my iPad.
Nice thing is that through this job I can build a portfolio, editing them for myself. Also, the contacts (real estate brokers) made could be priceless.

11/05/2014 07:36:05 PM · #17

Good luck, I hope things go well for you with them if you get it.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/05/2014 07:54:42 PM · #18

Thanks Matt.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/05/2014 08:29:40 PM · #19

Sounds interesting -- keep us posted how it goes in the "real world"!

Lydia

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

11/05/2014 09:18:57 PM · #20

I can't wait to hear how this works out for you, Linda!

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/11/2014 06:14:56 PM · #21

well, got word today that they hired someone with more experience. Bummed out as this would have really helped me financially, and in growing as a photographer.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

11/11/2014 10:55:16 PM · #22

Well, Dang! Sorry to hear that :-(