So, a “Altered Photo” policy has came to one of my MLS's21560
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 WGAN FanCLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So Instead of just delivering a gallery, I will start delivering structured packages: Delivery Structure: * Folder 1: MLS Photos (Compliant) * Folder 2: Altered Photos (Use With Disclosure) * Folder 3: Marketing Images (Non-MLS) Email simple disclosure: Images are delivered in MLS-compliant and marketing categories. Any virtually altered images must be labeled in the MLS per current policy, including disclosure and original image pairing.  MLS-Safe (Default Delivery)* HDR photos * Color correction, exposure blending * Sky replacement (only if realistic and not misleading) * TV screen replacement, minor cleanup (cords, sensor dust)  Rule of thumb: If a buyer walked in and said “this doesn’t look like the photo,” it’s a problem.⸻  Altered (Now Regulated)* Virtual staging * Adding grass, landscaping upgrades * Twilight conversions (especially dramatic ones) * Fire in fireplaces if none exists * Adding/removing structures (shops, fences, pools) These now require:* “Altered Photo” tag in MLS * Caption explaining changes * Original photo uploaded alongside ⸻  Non-MLS / Marketing OnlyThis is where your creativity still thrives: * Heavy twilight “WOW” renders * Pool fills, major cleanup, property enhancements * Builder / investor concept renders |
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WGAN Fan CLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
I will be adding a pdf deliverable to my image delivery folder moving forward: |
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 WGAN FanClub Member Buffalo, New York |
GETMYVR private msg quote post Address this user | |
I've set the bar high locally as well. Many agents however are using "virtually staged" images and not using proper disclosures like I do for every image. I've staged over 1,000 rooms, this is what we use in New York. This helps push transparency, which many of us have been chapioning ourselves. |
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WGAN Fan CLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @GETMYVR Some brokerages like Sotheby’s International Really have brand standards that forbid text on images. But, this “new” digitally altered may change their stance on that |
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WGAN Fan Club Member Buffalo, New York |
GETMYVR private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @lilnitsch Unfortunately, even big brokerages like Sotheby's has to adhere to MLS. I think the term digitally altered is kind of odd. Because when you're looking at an image, you don't know what's really been digitally altered. At least with virtually staged. You have a very good idea. What's been altered. | ||
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WGAN Fan CLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @GETMYVR Agreed "digitally altered" is such a loose term technically any edited image is "digitally altered" I just spent my early days heavily embedded within a Sotheby's brokerage. In my market currently only 1 of the MLS's is enforcing this policy and they have a checkbox on the backend that adds a digitally altered watermark I suspect that other MLS's will follow suite so, I am just getting in front of it. I do a bit of "digitally altering"   |
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 Owner,Managing Editor and Publisher of WGAN Forum and WGAN-TV Podcast Fairfield, California |
TomSparks private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Sheesh.. that seems like a lot of extra work. I would argue that at the end of the day we are just photographers. We don't need to adhere to MLS requirements or various laws, that's for Agents/Brokerages/MLSs. I can see where this would be an added value to a client hiring you but i'd suggest charging an additional fee "these formats included for this amount" or "these formats included at no additional charge" (the latter might sway someone's decision to hire you vs. a competitor). just my thoughts. tom |
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WGAN Fan CLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @TomSparks I will typically separate images to stage them anyways so, just dumping these into a new folder isn't a big deal & this level of service sets me apart from my competition |
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