Dec 052012
 

I’ve got exciting news! I am now a “Google Trusted Photographer” or a Google Street View photographer!

What does that mean? First, I will explain in my own words, then I will post a brochure and video or two.

So, you know what Google Street View is right? You are looking at a map on Google, and you can plop yourself down on the map and look around at a panorama. Maybe you’ve even seen the street view car driving around.

Well, if you own a consumer facing business, you can now get street view type panoramas that go inside your store, restaurant, salon, bar etc… So someone sitting at home on their computer can street view inside your business, looking around a big panorama, getting a look at your decor, ambiance, products.

But how can you do this? That is where the “Google Trusted Photographers” (like me) come in. I now have the equipment and training to get the required panoramas. Not only can I shoot them properly, I can shoot them in a way that they will integrate with Google Street View AND I can upload them to Google myself. That’s right, Google has given me the key to their street view program. And it isn’t only for the panoramas. I can put up photos of merchandise, decor, menus, food, all the things you want your clients to see.

I’m going to quote from the brochure:

WHY BUSINESS PHOTOS?
A virtual tour of your business
It’s an opportunity to showcase your business to customers around the world. Our Street View technology will bring your business to life with a high-quality, 360-degree, interactive tour. The virtual tour will be visible on Google Search results, Google Maps, and Google+ Local, to give customers a better sense of the layout, decor and ambience of your business. Easily embed on your own business website and social media to attract even more potential customers.

and

TRUSTED PHOTOGRAPHERS
Google trained and certified

1. All Trusted Photographers are trained and certified to ensure high-quality results for your business.
2. Photographers strive to create a custom experience; highlighting the unique aspects of your business.
3. Photographers take care of all the work so you don’t have to; final photos are uploaded directly to Google.

and

GOOGLE STREET VIEW TECHNOLOGY
A new experience for customers
1. High-quality, 360-degree, panoramic tours help showcase the best features of your business.
2. Have potential customers visit your business directly from Street View.
3. All of your images go through Google blurring and privacy standards to give you peace of mind.
4. Featuring the familiar Google Street View navigation, allowing your customers to easily explore.

HOW CAN THIS HELP MY BUSINESS?
Attract new customers online
1. Enhance your business listing. Images appear on Google Search results, Google+ Local, and Google Maps.
2. Engage with customers who can now explore, walk-through, and truly experience your business.
3. Business Photos is a perfect addition to all businesses; including restaurants, retail shops, gyms, salons, and more!
4. Seasonal shoots are a great way to keep your business up-to-date and show your customers what’s new

So, if you or anyone you know in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, Marin, The East Bay, The Peninsula etc…) has a store, a cafe, a yoga studio, a hair salon, a restaurant, or any type of business where the public comes in and walks around, please call me at (415) 669-4895, or email me at [email protected].

Ok, the brochure (It’s formatted for print, so take it for what you will.)

And some videos.

This first one is an advertisement for the service.
Google Business Photography Advertisement

The next one is an example of how it works.

Virtual Walk-through Video 1 – Restaurant

And one more advertisement video.

Toy Joy marketing video

Dec 302010
 
Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens under redwood trees

Ethan and Allison just sent me a very nice letter or recommendation. I was their wedding photographer for a summer wedding in the Tilden park Botanical Gardens in Berkeley California.

I’ll start with the letter, then I’ll post some of the pictures that them mention specifically.

Dec. 27, 2010

Dear Alex,
We wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did photographing our wedding. We are thrilled with the pictures and it was wonderful working with you. We’re happy to recommend you as a terrific wedding photographer.
During the ceremony you obviously moved around to take pictures from various vantage points, but you were so discreet we didn’t even realize you were moving. Neither one of us had any idea you were so active until we saw the wonderful pictures. They captured the whole ceremony, even the unexpected moments like the trouble Ellie had breaking the glass.
And we were especially happy with the way you handled the formal shots afterwords. We loved your suggestion that we take a few of everybody who attended the wedding, especially the one where everybody is waiving. It’s one of our favorite shots! And then when it was just the two of us, you did a really great job of taking advantage of the setting. There were lots of wonderful pictures using the garden as a backdrop, whether it was giant Sequoia trees, flowers, or the footbridge over the stream. The black-and-white shots you took with your infrared camera are just amazing! And you worked quickly so we could get to the reception and enjoy the party!
You also did a great job of getting wonderful pictures of the kids, including Ellie as the flower girl. It was important to us to have great pictures of the kids at the reception, and you really did a fantastic job. The picture of Ellie crossing her eyes is one of our favorites!
On a stressful day, you made the photography something we didn’t have to worry about. You put everyone at ease and were always calm, friendly, and professional. In short, we were very happy with your work, and we’re happy to recommend you to others as a great wedding photographer. Thank you for doing such a great job and creating such a wonderful record of our wedding.
Sincerely,
Ethan Rarick and Allison Ellman

All photos © Alex Schoenfeldt, 2010. All rights reserved.
Alex Schoenfeldt Photography

Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens under redwood trees

Flower girl breaks glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens under redwood trees

Flower girl tries to break glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens under redwood trees

wedding party and guests group shot everyone waves Flower girl breaks glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens Berkeley, CA

Bride and groom under redwood trees Flower girl breaks glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens

Bride and groom on bridge Flower girl breaks glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens under redwood trees

Bride and groom in infrared Flower girl breaks glass Wedding Ceremony Tilden Park Botanical Gardens Berkeley, CA

Flower Girl crosses eyes. Flower girl breaks glass Wedding reception Tilden Park picnic area

May 282010
 
Bride Groom Kiss. Starburst. Reception International House UC Berkeley.

Sarah and Danial got married at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens with a reception at the UC Berkeley International House.

If you haven’t been to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, I suggest you go. It has beautiful botanical samples from all over the world. It is also a great place for a wedding. You can have a ceremony in the Old Rose Garden, the way Sarah and Danial did, or there is a redwood grove. (I’ll get around to posting ceremony photos from the redwood grove eventually.)

All Photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2006. All rights reserved.
San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer

Mar 142010
 
Groom Garlands Bride. Bride Smiles
Groom Garlands Bride. Bride Smiles

Groom Garlands Bride. Bride Smiles

Nicole and Raum got married. Ramu is Hindu, Nicole is Christian, so they had both ceremonies in one day. These are some of my favorite Shots from their wedding(s).

All Photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2007
All Rights Reserved
(888) 316-2539
San Francisco Wedding Photographer

Mar 042010
 

Early last month I got this email from my friend Cecilie:

> Forget superbowl weekend – try
> wheelchair basketball instead!  This is a
> fast and fabulous sport to watch!  It’s also great for
> kids and teens who
> are into sports.

Who could resist?

I’m pretty happy with these shots. I think the kids look great. I got to play with motion blur.

While I was there I was chatting with another photographer. He said “Have you seen #15? He would have been a great athlete.”

And I thought, would have been?

All Photos © Alex Schoenfeldt 2010

All Rights Reserved

For prints or booking information, call 888.316.2539 or go to my website.