Greg Tilley
- Client Support
Greg Tilley
Photographer/Videographer
Greg has been holding a camera for most of his life, having learned the ropes from his grandfather when he was just a kid. He’s has been a real estate photographer for over 17 years, so it’s safe to say that he knows how to find the best angle for each and every home he photographs.
After a brief stint as an accountant (“I hated every minute of it”), he turned his long-time passion and hobby into a career when a realtor he knew asked him to photograph a house she had for sale, and he hasn’t looked back since. After contracting with Paul for 12 years, he’s recently come on board as a full-time member of the team.
While the majority of his day is spent out in the field, shooting homes and properties with any combination of photos, videos, and drone footage, Greg also spends time coordinating with clients and post-processing the content he’s created. He takes a hands-on approach to his photo shoots. “Stagers are wonderful and an integral part of the process…but sometimes to get the prime shot that I want, I’ll need to move a couple of things around to get set up in that spot.”
Like any tech-focused job, Greg keeps attuned to the shifts and new technologies without getting “trapped in the megapixel game.” For him, it’s about improving his fundamental skills, keeping an eye on photographers he admires, and figuring out the techniques he sees from them. “Sometimes finding a great shot of a house can be a bit of a challenge, but it allows me to be creative and approach everything with a sense of curiosity.”
One of the most interesting things about this type of work is that “it’s different every day.” Even if he sees the same model of home over and over again, the way they’re each styled is incredibly unique and designed to fit each homeowner’s personality. “It’s really interesting to see how people interpret the same space. The same home can have many many different looks to it, which I find fascinating.”
The biggest thing he’s learned in his time as a real estate photographer is that no matter what the house looks like, either inside or out, there is always going to be a buyer for it. The right marketing will get the right people through the door. “I’ve shot 50,000 houses, and some stuff you really want to shake your head at, and others could be showcased in Architectural Digest, but no matter what they look like, they all sell.”
Outside of the Office
Greg grew up in Calgary, but now makes Ottawa his home. His charity of choice is the Ottawa Humane Society. “I’ve always been a big fan of OHS and I’ve adopted dogs for most of my life.” When he’s not playing with his rambunctious Labradoodle Cooper, he might be found exploring new paths while trail running.
