How Can Area Amenity Leaders Prep for Media Including Photos?
- Adam Garrett
- Aug 23
- 15 min read
Updated: Oct 22
Adam Garrett, 3rd Generation REALTOR® w/ Garrett Realty Partners, is expanding his area aerials, other area photography, area videography, & association/area amenity 3D tours as part of an effort, including but not limited to better showcasing the area to prospective buyers, especially those seeing his future listings.
Here's a 3D tour example I created, integrating a townhouse and the neighborhood amenities:
Below, I'll share
Why communities, governments, & businesses should value better marketing (especially when it's free, as in this case)
About Adam & his procedures
Intended use cases
How businesses, associations, institutions, governments, etc. can give Adam the authorization and other information he needs.
Optional information on how to further prepare for prior to a professional coming for those.
Why Communities, Governments, & Businesses Should Value Better Marketing (especially when it's free, as in this case)
Increased net worth for owners via faster appreciation
Better marketing of properties increases their demand vs other nearby properties that are not marketed as well. The rules of supply and demand on prices dictate that higher demand drives prices higher.
What about appraisals?
Appraisals are a limiting factor in increasing prices, although appraisers are often biased by the contract price for properties under contract, especially when appraising a house "at value" or substantially close to it rather than substantially below the contract price. Sometimes buyers pay above the appraisal, especially after making an offer with an appraisal guarantee.
On my page titled The Importance of Choosing a Great Listing Agent I go over the following examples I've experienced in detail:
My Seller Might Have Gotten an 8% Higher Contract Sales Price a Year Earlier if They Had Listened to Me
"Example of the Importance of Market Seasonal Timing & Impact on List Date, Bias of Appraisers Toward Contract Price, Agent Honesty Importance, & Agent Value Perception Importance, Netting Sellers >5% More"
Buyer Paid My Seller Client 6% Above Appraisal
I Disputed the Appraisal Price with an Appraiser to Justify Value for My Seller During a Transaction, Increasing $ for My Seller
Shorter time on market & reduced vacancy levels
Homes that are well-marketed tend to have a shorter number of days on market. While there are a number of marketing elements, even "Realtors® who use professional real estate photographs sell listed homes 32 percent faster than all other listings, according to a" study of Chicago area real estate sales as published by PR Newswire. Since some properties are vacant when they sell, that reduction lowers vacancy levels.
Pride of locale for residents & governments
Many governments & residents of communities would like their community to be showcased and seen as a desirable community to be part of. It can attract growth for communities, and showcasing a community in its best light can be a source of pride.
Increased demand for businesses, communities, & locales
Media is one of the top drivers of people to go to places, whether it's tourists moving to a locale, tourists or locals visiting an attraction, or people moving to a specific neighborhood. The better the media and marketing of that location, the more people are going to want to be there. Even the otherwise best businesses can fail with poor marketing.
About Adam & His Procedures:
Adam's full-time position at Garrett Realty Partners since 2014
Adam's been a part of Garrett Realty Partners since he started in May 2014 in the marketing department there. He transitioned into full time sales at the start of February in 2015. Adam is the only agent or broker he knows of in SE VA who does area photos for every listing.
Adam has been a Part 107 FAA-certified remote pilot using DJI drones since Jul 2020
DJI has been the top drone powerhouse for years. Adam purchased a DJI in 2020 & another in 2025 and has never gone back to any other brand.
You can check Adam's status w/ the FAA here:
Certificate #: 4402152
https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/
Adam has been doing Matterport virtual tours since November 2020 & uses the best equipment available as of the time of publication
He uses the Matterport 3 Pro Performance Kit with 1 more battery purchased beyond the kit (for 3 total), which is the best compatible camera for house/business/area tours on the best 3D platform available (Matterport).
He also has a compatible Manfrotto 269HDBU Super High Aluminum Stand with Leveling Leg (24'), providing options for shots to better capture exteriors in ways that typically wouldn't otherwise be possible.
These cameras require a capture device; he uses the latest 1 TB M4 iPad Pro, with the 1TB version and the 2TB versions having double the RAM (16 GB) vs the 256 GB & 512 GB versions (8 GB) & thereby having the best devices available for capture at the time of publication.
Adam typically comes alone and more than once.
The optimal timing of photos and videos varies due to various weather patterns, seasonal factors impacting marketing, time constraints, & otherwise, where there often isn't a single time of the year optimal for everything, so in many cases, Adam will be coming once (to target the pool area & the immediate vicinity) and typically then come back at least one other time (especially if amenities are spread out). It's not uncommon for Adam's work to not be published until long after his initial visit.
While Adam typically comes alone, there may be cases where he comes with someone else, especially if he acquires permission from the FAA to shoot aerials over the typical limit (400' in otherwise unrestricted airspace) where having an additional visual observer significantly increases the chances of being approved for the airspace waiver.
Photoshop style options may be more limited than you'd think.
Keep in mind that often, when MLS rules on authentic advertising, Matterport and video are integrated, programs like Photoshop that I've used at times aren't a viable solution.
For instance:
If you have a moldy or cracked tennis court, it's not permitted due to MLS rules to make that go away via editing.
Matterport allows blurring, but if desired, it needs to be done repeatedly every time a house is added due to limitations of the Matterport platform. There are 3rd party options for Matterport, but they're unlikely to be as compatible for multi-site syndication, and alternatives not based on Matterport are not as good.
Where Adam may do his marketing work in a community
I'm essentially looking to cover the amenities that help showcase neighborhoods, i.e.:
All pool area(s)
Tennis/pickleball courts
Dining
Clubhouse(s)
Golf amenities
Exercise room
Dock
Walking paths/nature trails
Park(s)
Connecting points in between amenities & houses, especially w/ the 3D tour that isn't very feasible in the Matterport platform without that connection
Face blurring & people
The Matterport Pro platform has built-in automatic face blurring, which I use whenever there are people present in a setting. Here’s an automatic example:
In light of the below issues, I generally like to avoid crowds, angle photos & video to not show people if close enough to make out their faces, and intentionally choose times for all media that limit the volume of people present in an area.
Matterport works best without a lot of movement, which may slow me down and necessitate rescanning locations.
With most video and photos, MLS policies dictate that no faces are shown that can clearly be made out.
Even with branded media not shown on MLS, if I want to show someone’s face when they are visible in a private setting, I need to get media releases signed by people rather than just verbal consent.
Drones that can fly directly over crowds of people have certain restrictions in the US that need to be abided by, i.e., being under .551 lbs or having a parachute system in the event of malfunction.
Additional Privacy Protocols
I also go through Google Maps to see if any properties are blurred, and if a property would otherwise be visible on my tour but blurred on Google Maps, I will blur it in a similar way that Google Maps/Google Earth does.
I also sometimes hide some scans in a tour for additional privacy, where the tour is still connected, but where people can use the "street view" version beyond a very brief glimpse while moving through a tour due to not being able to look around from a 360 vantage point from a particular location that has been hidden.
Owners & tenants may also opt out if they would like additional blurring etc. on my tours.
What's already present on Google Maps/Google Earth
In case you're wondering about street view & 3D modes already available online in many cases, Google Maps & Google Earth have likely more than anyone else, i.e.
a. Google Maps Street View, which many are aware of and use
b. This 3d mode that many are not aware of on Google Maps:
Intended Use Cases:
Market properties for sale w/ me (main goal)
Offer marketing for properties in the neighborhood for sale with me that's currently unavailable. I also often do media of further off-site amenities to help market properties. There might be times when I even link an off-site tour within a neighborhood tour or within a house tour, and do the reverse as well so that people can come back to the main house tour without needing to restart things.
People don't use marketing that they haven't heard about. Beyond the actual marketing of properties, once finished products are ready, I would also likely use the superior marketing options I will have available to share with sellers about those options in case they didn't see them in their neighbor's listings. While I might do a mailer, I don't plan to do any door-knocking, & if I ever reconsider that, I would be sure to abide by any rules on no-solicitation that are common in many association-regulated communities.
Offer standalone 3D tours for properties listed for rent
Offer standalone paid 3D tours that integrate houses for properties in the neighborhood for rent with others that’s currently unavailable
Free branded community photos & video for owners & property managers when marketing property for rent
Offer branded community photos & videos freely to owners renting their units & paid unbranded options. I might offer the same freely for 3D tours, but it depends on whether or not I archive the space until I need it due to hosting fees I pay to the software provider based on the number of live tours I have.
Free photo & video options would be available for at least 5 years after I initially publish them as long as permitted by law etc. An exclusion is 3D neighborhood tours due to the monthly or annual fees I incur to host them on Matterport that go up based on the number of tours I have live on the platform. For more details on this exclusion (& a low-cost workaround) see "Options for the association, government, venue, or business to use" below.
Help buyers I represent explore the community
Starting my 1st year in the business, I've worked with buyers who never came to a property before closing on it. In those cases, it's especially beneficial to have video, imagery, and a 3D tour to help preview a community before making a decision. There are also cases where a buyer previews 10+ houses in a day back-to-back while in town for a weekend, who won't have time to see communities in that tour, but where having the community tours could help them narrow down their decision.
Dedicated webpage
In some cases I plan to share about a community or venue on a webpage dedicated to it, showcasing the amenities. When multiple entities are involved at a particular location (i.e. businesses, association, separate pool, etc.), I'd still only likely do a single web page.
Options for the association, government, venue, or business to use
If desired by the association, government, venue or other business, once completed, I can freely share any of the following branded options (when applicable) that the location would be able to post on their own website, social media, etc.
A. Pictures & video
B. A 3D tour of community amenities, at least temporarily
If desiring an ongoing 3D tour:
I incur small fees for every live 3D tour I host, effectively due to Matterport's volume-based pricing on a Pro 20 plan, so I reserve the right to archive some 3D tours when not actively in use by a property for sale with me. If a location wanted to ensure that a branded 3D tour stayed live, it's possible to reimburse me at cost based on the latest costs of a Pro 20 plan, like I have as of 10/21/25, for a tour with my branding. Hosting fees I pay to Matterport are currently $2.90/mo for mid to small size communities/venues per month (up to 200 scans), $5.80/mo for mid to larger communities/venues per mo (201-500 scans), & $8.70/mo for the largest communities/venues (501-1000 scans). At some point, I'll likely do the largest plans as well, with over 1k scans, currently $11.60 proportionally.
If multiple venues are covered in a tour and a venue would prefer to reduce its costs by having me eliminate part of the tour that is kept live to be a lower bracket of scans, that can typically be arranged.
While seemingly small, these fees add up with the volume of communities/venues I'm aiming for & the volume of locations I've already archived, thus the potential for archiving until needed.
When I finalize media for a neighborhood or venue, if no specific upcoming listing is involved, publication is frequently months after it has been completed, so patience for finished products is necessary.
Attribution requirements
If sharing, attribution is required through specific means, i.e.
a. tagging me or my business on social media when sharing to social media (& my tagline, "3rd Generation REALTOR® w/ Garrett Realty Partners" if not included directly in my name like it is on Facebook)
b. my website when sharing via email - abgre.com or the dedicated community page
Houses of worship and non-profit ministries are typically excluded from attribution requirements.
4A. Basic Essentials Needed:
Authorization for the pro to take 3D tours, video, on-the-ground photos, & aerial/pole shot photos
Examples of Adam's aerials, including Adam's FAA certification lookup & origin date (2020)
Access for locked items, i.e. pool entry & gates, ideally when no residents are present (i.e. after lifeguards come prior to when the pool is open).
The optimal solution is for someone representing the association, government, business, or other entity ( i.e. a lifeguard) to let me into places that are locked.
If a fence is relatively low to the ground, and if staff is unavailable to provide me access, one option is to grant me authority to use a large ladder I have that is /\ shaped to go over the fence. If doing so, it would be important to alert security, if present, of what I'll be doing.
In some communities, I may be able to get assistance from former clients who live in the community if I'm granted permission by the association, residents have access, but no staff is available for me at a time that would be good for both schedules.
Permission for unlocked locations & option for location sharing
With larger communities, my work might take over 15 hours in total, spread out over more than one day.
For unlocked locations, while some entities may not require it, if the entity in charge would prefer updates of my location via location sharing from my phone throughout my time somewhere, I can provide that.
Times/dates available, times unavailable
Times/dates available include all times that would be permissible, even if shooting wouldn't be in optimal conditions.
Times/dates unavailable, whether due to no one to provide access, the pool lounge chair equipment etc. being gone, the pool cover being on, or otherwise. Adam would prefer only starting on locations where the pool is in optimal condition for shooting as of 8/23/25.
Point of contact for questions & notice
Adam prefers an email address, phone number, contact name & organization (i.e. the person on the HOA board or the person affiliated with the community in a condo's professional management association).
Desire to limit residents in view
Clearly visible faces are not MLS compliant and require signed release forms to be put into marketing if they clearly show their face, so I try to avoid marketing with people.
I understand that many locations won't limit patrons'/residents' access if I go at a time when a venue is typically accessible, and I will be respectful.
While it's important to shoot in a way that limits faces, there are some workarounds in certain media formats.
If residents are present:
The pro versions of Matterport 3D tours are set to automatically blur faces.
Aerial videography often won't show faces clearly
Aerial photography & on the ground photography can be blurred.
4B. Optional Additional Authorization:
Optimal times, & times to ideally avoid
A. Optimal times from Adam's vantage point include:
If possible, times when maintenance staff are present and either before an amenity is open or after a location is closed.
Around sunset/golden hour (Adam has a recurring commitment to be the primary caretaker for his 19-month-old son prior to 9:30 AM and at 8 PM in Governor's Pointe in Suffolk as of 9/11/25), particularly those where the pool areas are not fully in shadows & where a good sunset is projected on Alpenglow, Skycandy, or a similar app/website
Times when the outdoor areas are seasonally optimal
For pool areas, times when the pool is clear without algae showing, has lounge chairs out, and doesn't have a cover on it.
For Matterport, partly to mostly cloudy days with limited high clouds and mostly low cumulous clouds
For clubhouse fireplaces, times when the gas is on so that Adam can turn the fireplace on while shooting.
B. Examples to "preferably" avoid are times/days that are available for marketing but that would look bad, and include:
Trash/recycle days
Times soon before maintenance/cleaning/improvements
Grass cutting days/other lawncare & plantlife maintenance & the 1-2 days after if clumps tend to be present for a few days after
Permission for Adam for use of facilities while filming
Adam's premium video options for clients include:
An MLS-compliant format with no people shown
A branded format that shows Adam that is intended for things like social media and that is compatible with platforms like Zillow. Ryan Serhant is a popular real estate broker who also uses multi-format content.
Here's an example:
In some cases, i.e., hitting a tennis ball while talking on video, Adam may be accompanied by an assistant who is also using the facilities.
Examples of facility use ideally permitted
Adam has no problem signing a liability release form if required.
Examples of facility use include (typically under 30 minutes each), where applicable and permissible as an area amenity that residents are able to enjoy and if Adam is granted explicit permission for use:
Using pool (including swimming & slides, where applicable) & related facilities
Adam used to be the "pool boy" at his home's pool growing up
Adam acquired the swimming merit badge as a Boy Scout, was part of a few swim teams, has taught others how to swim on one occasion.
Adam is in his lower 40's as of 2025, received the award for the most valuable senior male athlete of his high school, and remains in excellent physical health, with good blood pressure & excellent total cholesterol / HDL ratio (2.7), reducing his risk of stroke dramatically.
Fishing where fishing is permitted
If granting Adam permission, and if a freshwater fishing license is required (they typically aren't required for private freshwater ponds and lakes within HOA's when the waters aren't connected to waters outside of the community), please let Adam know so that he can acquire one if he desires to fish on video.
Adam acquired the fishing merit badge as a Boy Scout, held a freshwater fishing license in the past, and grew up fishing with his family.
Fishing might take more than 30 minutes if Adam has time to catch a fish on video.
Using exercise equipment
Playing tennis/pickleball, mini golf, horseshoes, or engaging in other sports on the premises
Using Adam's kayak or paddleboard where boats are permitted
Adam completed the Virginia Boating Safety Education Course & acquired the certificate in 1999. He also acquired the canoeing merit badge as a Boy Scout and formerly taught people new to kayaking how to kayak at his family's house on the York River. He did the same with paddleboarding.
Adam has a like new condition Oru Inlet lightweight origami style kayak
When kayaking or paddleboarding, Adam will wear a PFD approved by the USCG.
Adam's home for over a decade included marsh as part of the yard, so he's very familiar with traversing it and the need for tall boots or waders when doing so.
If golf facilities exist, Adam wouldn't actually hit a ball, but would appreciate lining up as if he were going to hit one if having a volunteer for the video for the golf section is not possible.
Permission for Adam for finishing touches
While Adam doesn't have time for a deep cleaning of facilities, can't promise even a minute of cleaning in advance, and facilities are best cleaned prior to Adam's arrival, sometimes some finishing touches can make all the difference if Adam has time. Adam frequently encounters situations where he arrives days after the last cleaning or where even the past few hours resulted in some areas that could use some light cleaning, especially if he's unaccompanied by maintenance staff. In those cases, he ideally receives permission prior to engage in the following:
Blowing (he has an electric blower)
Light weeding
Other cleaning (i.e. trash on the ground, cobwebs with a 30' DocaPole w/ various cleaning attachments he has, like dusters)
Optional Ways to Prepare for Adam:
Pest clean up
Killing horse flies (there are effective traps) & other pests is ideal, especially for a video that includes Adam in the shot. Beneficial varieties of insects to intentionally not touch include butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, certain moth varieties, fireflies, and bees.
Cobwebs can drastically diminish the appearance of some buildings & communicate neglect.
Power washing
I've seen some community amenities get damaged by attempted power-washes. These are best done by pros using surface cleaners.
Blowing & trash pickup
One of the easiest ways to perk up a space is by blowing it of leaves, pine needles, etc. and picking up trash.
That said, there are some exceptions. For instance, leave the following as they are:
If debris is mostly flower petals that show full colors
If debris is multi-colored or vibrant colored leaves
Weeds & other unintentional plants
These should be removed from flower beds and especially from cracks between pavement/concrete/aggregate.
Mold, mildew, & other non-plant growth
While some algae growth is expected on certain surfaces, this growth on other surfaces, like some tennis courts, can really damage the image quality of a photo, video, or 3D tour. Some ideal photo angles that might otherwise be taken may be skipped entirely if this problem is severe.
Sealing cracks
Additional Tips
While primarily geared toward houses, you'll find plenty of additional tips on my pages dedicated to interior preparations prior to listing and exterior preparations.
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