Our Content Creator network around the globe brings Visiting Media content production to our customers’ doorsteps. Get to know Eddie Harper, one of our valued members of the Visiting Media content creator network, and learn why our customers rave about him!

Eddie started working with Visiting Media in February 2016. Since then, he has captured over 70 fantastic 360° shoots.

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Tell us about yourself.

I’m 59. I live halfway between Houston and Galveston in a town called League City. I started Photos By Eddie Harper in December of 2014. I’m self-taught. Like any other business I have started, I get an idea and I just go with it. I don’t let “lack of knowledge” hold me back. Over the years I’ve owned an Icehouse in Texas called Mixed Nuts, I was a licensed professional auctioneer from 2005-2020, I designed and manufactured beach novelties ( FastFred Designs), in 2000 I launched an online magazine called Wiredin.cc, and I owned and operated a Christmas tree lot for 5 years. I served in the Army from 1984-1987.

What got you working in 360° photography?

In 2014 a fellow photographer recommended me to a business in the area that was interested in a virtual tour. He didn’t have the equipment or know how to shoot a virtual tour. I had no clue as well but he recommended me because I tend to think outside the box. When I met the business owner I was honest about not knowing how to shoot a virtual tour but convinced him to give me 2 days to figure it out. I was blown away by the technology and instantly saw a huge opportunity. At that time in Houston there were only 8 Google TIPS in the whole Houston region. I got certified by Google and within a few months I became #1 on the Houston TIP (trusted independent photographer) list. That was a huge boost for me as I was new at this and was cold calling new businesses to shoot. In August of 2017 my business model totally changed when Hurricane Harvey came to town. My home and autos were under water….just like my clients.  Up till then I resisted doing shoots for agencies (for some crazy reason). It was tough finding a decent contractor so I decided to rebuild my house. Why not, I had plenty of time on my hands so I got to work. I started accepting more agency work since I didn’t have to spend time hunting for new clients or editing. I realized then that I wanted to focus on working with agencies and haven’t looked back. I absolutely love what I do!

What is your favorite shoot you have done with us?

I really don’t have a favorite but I do like the challenge of shooting the Marriott Autograph series. These hotels are old, historic, and just laid out differently. Nothing like shooting the huge modern ballrooms we have today.

How long have you been capturing content?

Capturing content started when my grandmother gave me a Browning 110 when I was 9 or 10. I was fascinated. I played around with different cameras as I grew up, even when I enlisted in the Army. I was stationed in Germany and fell in love with shooting castles and the countryside. Never did I ever think I would be shooting professionally. In 2000 I launched a website called Wiredin.cc. I wanted to tell folks about the positive stuff that was happening in our little community, League City,  Texas. I used photography as a way to advertise my website locally. I would photograph folks and families attending these events and offer the photo free of charge. All they needed to do was to go to my website the next day and download the photo. No one at the time was doing anything like this. Facebook wasn’t online yet. People loved this concept and next I knew I was shooting several events a week, editing and posting hundreds to thousands of photos weekly. I retired the website in 2014 and had over 750,000 photos posted to my website. This chapter in my life has a direct connection with how I do business now. It taught me how to shoot fast and well.

What on-site tip do you have to make sure shoots go smoothly?

COMMUNICATION! Know where the sun is and where it’s going. Shoot proficiently.

What was your first job?

As in Virtual Tour Photography? I shot a place called Gulf Coast Palapas in December 2014. 70-80 panos.

Do you have any heroes or inspirational figures you look up to, and why?

Alfred Stieglitz was a phenomenal photographer! He made photography an art form.

What is your favorite book?

Gosh, when I was really young I read a lot. My Grandmother was a teacher, I read all kinds of stuff. Including the Encyclopedia from A-Z. Now it seems the only books I read are manuals….I know! Not exciting!

What is a hobby or interest of yours that people might not expect?

I like to build functional works of art, I’m a gardener, I like riding my Harley across the country and I play sand volleyball weekly. I’ve been in this league for 22 years.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash – enough said!

What do you like about living in the area you do?

I love living by the water. It is soothing and peaceful. I appreciate the intimacy of the community.

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Working with Visiting Media for all of your content needs

Get started with your immersive content experience today and let Visiting Media’s bespoke content production process bring immaculate 360°, 3D, VR, CGI and traditional photography and video production into your suite of sales tools. We have content creators around the globe standing by to provide content to fit your exact immersive selling needs. Contact our enterprise account team today to get started!

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