Houston Photographer Patrick Bertolino - Real Estate, Commercial, and Wedding Photography » Commercial Photography

The REAL virtual tour

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:44:44 +0000

Widely becoming more popular in the real estate industry is a service offered by many photographers known as a virtual tour. Comprised of a series of still shots taken using a special technique, a virtual tour allows potential buyers to interact with the inside of a property in a way only surpassed by actually visiting the location. In fact, some surveys have shown that over 80% of buyers prefer such a feature when shopping for a home. One NAR survey conducted in 2009 showed that listings featuring a virtual tour had substantially more views than those more affordable and readily available. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous photographers will try to pass off a slideshow as a virtual tour. This happens quite a bit more than you would think. Be sure to ask your photographer if he or she offers TRUE 360 degree virtual tour packages before plunking down any dollars. Have a look at my most recent virtual tour: http://starlight-pix.com/virtualtourstx/1606morse/index.html

You can also visit my main virtual tour website HERE. The photo to the left is one panorama of a listing I did this year. This realtor got the package deal with a 360 virtual tour AND an aerial shot!

The Fred and Ginger Building

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:21:30 +0000

The Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic has been wowing tourists as well as locals since its completion in 1996. Designed by Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry and originally called the Fred and Ginger Building (after late dancing greats Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), the controversial building has since become a world-famous piece of architecture and some might even consider it a cultural center for the area. Located off the Vltava River, the site offers fine dining in the form of the Celeste Restaurant – considered one of the finest in the city. The hotel I stayed in was located across the street from this stunningly unique construction, so I was lucky enough to capture some beautiful pictures of a little-known architectural gem and share one with you.

Kodak: Goodbye old friend

admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:37:45 +0000

Kodak Bankruptcy

I still remember the smell of fresh film from the canister, a strangely pleasant chemical odor – twenty-four to thirty-six life-capturing exposures of “I wonder what that will look like after I have it developed”. As you may already know, Eastman Kodak, the company that invented photographic film, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Founded in 1880 by George Eastman, the company had flourished and even dominated the market for most of the 20th century. Before the luminary revolutionized the world, taking a picture was a complicated process involving glass plates, a multitude of chemicals, and awkwardly huge cameras. When he introduced the first Kodak camera in 1888, he coined the slogan, “you press the button, we do the rest,” and the rest is history. I can’t imagine George would have been too happy to see his empire slowly corrode as competitors bashed away at his drawbridge door. First it was FujiFilm, Kodak’s first true competitor, that stripped away sales with cheaper products – then came the real nail in Eastman Kodak Company’s coffin – the rise and subsequent victory of consumer digital imaging over traditional film-based formats. Kodak couldn’t change in time to save themselves. In 2003, they announced that they would no longer be investing in their trademark product. After that, the company shifted focus to digital cameras but never got a foothold in the market. Thursday, February 9th, the company announced that it will stop making digital cameras altogether. CEO Antonio M. Perez, who joined the company from Hewlett-Packard, instead seems focused on turning the company around by betting it all on inkjet printers, but so far, they’ve yet to see success. I have to wonder that if they had hired an ex-Nokia employee as their chief executive, we’d be seeing commercials for Kodak smartphones. As investors, vendors, and everyone else tied to the failing business seem to be jumping ship, it seems like the venerable giant has no where to go but down the spiraling, slippery slope of obscurity. A sad end indeed for the the company who brought photography to the mainstream.

Point & Shoot Digital Cameras NOT Popular?

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:48:52 +0000

According to a news article I just read on Yahoo, the digital camera’s popularity is on the delcine – well, at least the non-SLR variety. It seems as though most people would rather use their smartphones than lug around a separate device. The picture quality of new smartphone offerings is beginning to equal or even surpass that of
many respectable point and shoot cameras. Camera manufacturers and retailers all around the world are feeling the hit, with Sony losing 20% of their camera sales – the largest drop they’ve experienced. I suppose this was to be expected; as cellphone technology progresses, more everyday items are becoming obsolete. Watches are more for show now, MP3 players are littering discount bins across the country, and just when was the last time you used a land line? What do you think? Do you still use your point and shoot digital or have your light photo duties been replaced by your phone?

The Woodlands Mall

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:11:47 +0000

I usually sneer at the idea of leaving the loop for local entertainment. Living downtown, I have access to a variety of different activities within a 5 mile radius. If I have to drive 30 miles it better be good.
Johnny Schiro with Icon Real Estate asked me to take some interesting shots of The Woodlands mall for marketing purposes. I found it quite easy as this place is very photographable. I was impressed with the beauty – and the multitude of great activities and restaurants.
Keep an open mind….

Woodlands Mall

The Fairview

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:26:03 +0000

Had a fun shoot at the Fairview – This is a great neighborhood bar!
click image for FULL GALLERY

By Caroline Gallay
08.26.10 | 03:18 pm

Steve Scalice wants his neighbors to know that it’s still him behind the The Fairview (and behind the bar) at the old Dean’s Credit Clothing location — it’s just being rebranded, revamped and he hopes, revived.

The (sorta) new spot now has a patio and will be introducing a menu next month to be developed by Fusion Taco, who will also be parked outside Friday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Scalice says the name, “The Fairview,” was actually the plan when he first opened in the location, but he stuck with Dean’s to match the old downtown establishment. Now, he says he hopes to keep churning out the same great neighborhood product — which includes block parties with neighboring Boheme every first and third Sunday of the month with acoustic acts, poetry readings and art.

Other regular features are Texas-themed films from the Houston Film Commission every first Thursday of the month; Sunday movie nights with the locals on the projector screen; bring-your-own vinyl Thursdays and Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP) forums for filmmakers the final Tuesday of every month.

And Scalice intends to keep some remnants of Dean’s. The old ledgers are still in the bathrooms, for one. He’ll also continue Dean’s monthly art openings, and his famous frozen cosmo is there to stay.

More furniture has been added inside — including several TVs — which will broadcast NFL games and major college sports.

“The bar business is an evolution,” Scalice says. “But the product — the drinks, the cool vibe and the good service are the same.”

West Ave in Houston Texas

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:42:25 +0000

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new West Ave developement on Kirby, it’s going to be a great inside the loop destination for shopping, living and eating. I had the opportunity to photograph the beginning phase and it turned out great! (click on image for full gallery)

West Ave on Kirby

GENERAL WEST AVE FACTS
Retail / Residential
• 190,000 square feet (50+ storefronts) of premium retail on the first two floors
• 389 luxury apartment homes located on floors three through seven
• Apartment rents range from $1400 to $3000+

Parking
Guests at West Ave have several parking options including street level parking in and around the development and 477 spaces in a dedicated underground garage.

(NOTE: some individual concepts offer valet parking)

Projected West Ave tenant opening schedule:
• Eddie V’s Prime Seafood – OPEN
• Ava Brasserie – January 2011
• Pondicheri – January 2011
• Tootsies – January 2011
• Pizzeria Alto – January 2011
• Cru Wine Bar – March 2011
• Azur West – January 2011
• Ivory Bridal – January 2011

The Country Home – By KMK Interiors

admin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:03:52 +0000

How do you know when you have reached a new level? No one pins a medal on your chest in photography – Well, at least not in day to day sessions. There’s a level of pride – that lets you know A) you are in the right field and B) you do it well. No ceremony, no confetti – just great images. KMK interiors bring out the best in my photography – so of course, they get credit for that and creating inspiring spaces. Click on the image for the full gallery and read below the image for more details.

Prominent lawyer, our client had two desires: To build a farmhouse that appears to have been expanded over the last century through several additions to an original small building; and, to finish the interior with elements that span the same range of time but not as to overpower a decidedly current edge.
Involvement – This repeat client instructed us to specify as many materials as we so chose, including to design custom construction items and to design-build custom furnishings, and we complied.
We took liberties with lighting, to deliver many options on setting moods that a place in the country can beckon, and with fabrics: downstairs, the colors punch above the weight of a mostly white paint schedule, while upstairs the black and white fabrics crisply reveal the warmer tones on the walls.
Furniture pieces include the very old and very new, as do the art and accessories.

Etro Lounge

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:47:05 +0000

Houston’s inimitable 80′s lounge…playing 80s, indie, & electro every night.

Etro was designed & built with artists & creative people in mind-come enjoy our 2 bars, large covered patio, strong drinks, & badass staff.

CLICK IMAGE BELOW FOR FULL GALLERY

Click for Gallery

Shany Cosmetics

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:38:20 +0000

Some photographers find product photography tedious. I find it FUN! How else would I get to arrange things in such specific shapes?! (by the way, had to turn the AC off so it would not blow the brushes out of place) Tedious?
About Shany:

Every Shany product is chemical free and hand selected by our team of skin-care experts. They are the only company to use over 90 percent natural ingredients to make their own unique color formulas, which we assemble by hand in our own factory, so they can manage each step of the process.

To produce one simple kit, their makeup professionals make at least 10 samples with different colors, characteristics and shades, then test them extensively to determine the perfect combination and color harmony. After collecting data, the final product is made with colors that are hand picked and sold only to well-known distributors. And their palettes are made with 100-percent recyclable plastic, making your Shany Cosmetics not only beautiful, but also environmentally friendly.

Thanks, talk to yo later.