Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Randy Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Randy, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’ve been a graphic designer most of my work life. I have also been in love with photography since I was a teenager. When my wife and I sold our home in Oregon after 15 years to move back to Austin, our realtor sent over a photographer to take photos of our home. I watched the photographer work (and asked a few questions) because the thought of real estate photography being a “thing” never occurred to me. The more I looked into this line of work, the more I thought, “I can do this.” After our house sold, we moved back to Austin and I immediately started getting serious about real estate photography. There was a lot more to it than I anticipated, but I stuck with it and developed it into a viable business. The hardest part of the whole experience was developing the mindset for it. It wasn’t easy to completely switch careers after spending a lifetime as a graphic artist. I still do graphic design as well as real estate photography and I am loving the variety of work
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started my real estate photography business, Austin Realty Media in 2019 after a lifetime love of photography and a career as a graphic designer. I learned the craft of real estate photography by meeting with local real estate photographers who were kind enough to share some of their knowledge with me. I also had several friends who were realtors who gave me an opportunity to do some of my first photoshoots with them. I spent a few months in training and then did my first official shoot in late 2019.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I changed careers late in life. I worked as a graphic designer for most of my adult work life as an employee and as a business owner. I then switched careers from graphic design to real estate photography. The change was a good fit for me since I already had an interest in photography and I was ready for a break from graphic design even though I still do some work as a graphic designer. “Multiple streams of income” is something I have taken to heart.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
In all aspects of my company, I try to do my very best. I show up to my photoshoots on time and I create the best possible photos that I can during the process. I also value good communication. I make sure the realtor knows that I have actually made it to the appointment and I let them know when I leave and reassure them that the property is locked up, lights are turned off, etc. I want them to have peace of mind in a business that involves a lot of potential pressure and chaos.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austinrealtymedia.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/austinrealtymedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinrealtymedia