Brian McDonald from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been a professional real estate photographer since 2018. He has photographed hundreds of real estate listings throughout the West Michigan area.

Photography:

Brian loves to provide amazing images to realtors and local business owners, helping them attract more buyers and receive a fantastic return on their investment in professional photos. He focuses on building relationships with his clients while offering consistent and reliable quality.

Where we work:

Brian McDonald Photography is based in Grand Rapids and covers the entire West Michigan area. Most of the work is within a 40 mile radius around Grand Rapids, although he is available to travel to other areas. Of course, additional travel charges would apply.

Our ideal clients:

• Residential and commercial real estate agents
• Interior designers
• Builders and contractors
• Hotels and restaurants
• Architects
• Independent vacation rental managers (i.e. VRBO and Airbnb)

Monday – Friday 9am - 7pm

Saturday 9am - 5pm

Sunday By appointment

AddressGrand Rapids, Michigan

Phone (616) 209-8469

Email brian@brianmcdonaldphotography.com

Website www.brianmcdonaldphotography.com

Testimonials for Brian McDonald Photography:

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a native of Grand Rapids, MI and currently live on the northwest side with my beautiful wife. We enjoy living here because of all that the city has to offer! I love the craft beer scene, being close to Lake Michigan, and the many parks and trails nearby. I am also an avid traveler with a passion for exploring new cities and learning about other cultures. I began to appreciate and enjoy photography more as my traveling increased as a way to remember all my new adventures.

I am constantly looking for ways to improve my photography skills to provide clients the best possible experience. Helping people capture their home, office, building – whatever type of space – in the best possible ways is my passion. I am also a certified drone pilot, which allows me to legally take aerial photos and video of your location.

How would you describe your photographic style?

I try to capture the flow and feel of a home in a natural and inviting way. I like to focus on certain details that help draw potential clients into a space. Additionaly, I like to incorporate some more creative angles whenever possible.

What's your standard workflow when doing real estate photography, from arrival at the location through to delivery of the images?

I always walkthrough a home when I arrive at the location to ensure the space is ready to be photographed. If anything needs to be changed, this is when I take the time to make those adjustments. I only use the natural ambient light in a space to ensure I am able to complete the assigment in a relatively short time, usually 60 to 90 minutes per house.

Once the shoot is over, I edit the images so they are color-corrected and that the images accurately represent the property. Lastly, images are delivered via digital download and are ready for upload to the MLS.

I guarantee image delivery within 24hrs of the appointment time, unless other arrangements have been made.

How important is Photoshop or digital editing to your process?

Editing photos at the shoot is vital to creating images that stand out and showcase a property. I primarily use Adobe Lightroom to ensure the colors are correct and balanced. I do not alter images in a way that misrepresents the property or its surroundings.

What do you enjoy most about photographing real estate, architecture and the built environment?

I enjoy bringing out the best in everyday spaces. The challenge of looking at a room or structure to find the best angles and really show off a space is exciting and challenging since no two spaces are the same.

What has been the most memorable photo shoot you've ever done?

I photographed a million dollar home that sat on the shores of Gun Lake. The house was massive with four floors and even included a movie theater. There was an impressive deck overlooking the lake making this the perfect summer house.

What's the funniest thing that's ever happened when you've been on a photo shoot?

I was doing a photo shoot where the homeowners were not home. They had a dog and a cat who were that to greet me and were quite interested in me. I tried to take photos while they were loose, but they kept getting into my shots. They wanted to be the stars of the photo shoot! Eventually I had to trick them and lock them in a room so I could complete the photo shoot. Even then they even found a way to open the door and bug me some more.

What advice would you give to someone in Grand Rapids who was selling their home?

My advice would be that less is more. Completely declutter your house and put away personal items you don't want to be shown. No one cares about that photo of you on Spring Break! Also, find a reliable realtor who appreciates the value of quality photos. This will go a long way in helping attract more potential buyers.

What do you like to do away from work?

I love being outdoors and traveling. I am very active and you can often find me running, biking, or hiking.

Skills:

Bio:

“I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI and have lived here my whole life. I thought about moving to another city, but loved it here so much I could never find a reason to leave.

I went to Aquinas College here in town and got my degree in Business and Computer Information Systems. If you asked me when I graduated college what I would be doing in ten years, running my own photography company wouldn't have been my answer. Due to a layoff in 2018 I was pushed to try something new that I had been considering for a few years. I am sure glad I ended up in real estate photography!

I am now enjoying this newfound lifestyle much more than the standard 9-5 way of life and am excited to continue this career."