Google photographers provide inside view of local businesses
Unique items and art can be seen when searching for The Looking Glass Vin*Tiques, located at 3548 Youree Dr. Google Maps Business View provides customers with a 360-degree view inside of a business or a location.
Google Maps Business View invites curiosity about a location or business.
According to the description on the Google site, Business Photos are photos that show viewers a 360-degree image of business interiors using the patented Street View technology. This technology offers a sequence of connected, panoramic views to give a virtual experience of actually being inside the store. Business Photos came out in just 10 cities in 2011 and has now expanded to include the Ark-La-Tex.
The process begins with companies hiring a Google Trusted Photographer to shoot the interior of their business. These photographers can be chosen from Google’s database of Trusted Photographers or by submitting a request to Google for a referral.
“Google Trusted Photographer status is earned,” Terri Richardson, a local Google Trusted Photographer, said. “First, you have to get special equipment from an approved list through Google’s quality control, and then you have to do practice shoots and get some experience with it. The images have to be technically correct at all stages or they will not pass quality control, so the training and experience were crucial. I don’t work for Google; I work with Google. We have an agreement, and they are supportive of local photographers.”
Her company, Muse Meets Main Media (4M) centers on Shreveport, but she is cleared to serve all of Northwest Louisiana and adjacent areas in Texas and Arkansas.
Richardson said her work will improve Google+ listings for businesses or locations.
“Once the improvements are made, in most cases, a new option appears on Google when the business name and city are searched, offering customers to ‘see inside.’ This takes them right into the tour,” Richardson said. “Also, if they are just scooting around on Street View, there is an arrow that points into the place as a direction they can take from the street. Once inside the tour, the links at the top are very responsive and can take a viewer directly to a particular scene or object of interest, which makes it easy to share with friends across various social media and email.
“The point-of-interest shots become a gallery on the Google+ page with the panoramas becoming the ‘see inside’ option, accessible from their unique Google+ page or featured on the first page of Google’s search results,” Richardson said. “Customers can receive a copy of all the images and use them to whatever purpose they please.”
Richardson said she approaches businesses with a customer’s mindset.
“I’m primarily a storyteller. In my work with Google, I set a lot of things up, but I still love action shots and portraits that stop time and capture enough of the scene that you are not left with a ton of questions.
“I share the atmosphere and attitudes of a place, the thing that sets a location apart but also makes it feel homey. Once I’ve caught the essence, I set their business into Google Maps. I like to think of myself as a storytelling cartographer since I position my camera to capture the path someone will take on the tour, then set the points and make the map. An eye for detail is important here. Having a Google team backing me up with the latest technology and quality control doesn’t hurt.”
Richardson said these photos can be a tool for marketing rental spaces.
“Instead of describing the meeting spaces, wedding venues, churches and convention halls, take them on an actual tour as quick as email. It’s also handy for showcasing unique items and artwork as a collection rather than trying to sell things online by individual listing,” Richardson said.
Richardson said other parts of the country have been embracing this new technology.
“In larger cities, you can plan your entire vacation around places you find in Google Maps Business View,” Richardson said.
“I think it has real potential for inspiring the adventurous spirit in people to check things out, and especially online where people with limited mobility can go shopping and have a realistic experience.”
Businesses interested in Google Maps Business View can reach Richardson at TerriR99@gmail.
com or by phone at (903) 280-5062 for a quote or more information. Her website is MuseMeetsMain.com. Find other Google Trusted Photographers at maps.google.com/help/maps/ businessphotos/.
– Michael Stone
