Kristian Pettyjohn, the CEO of PhotoUp, a real estate photo editing company with offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, and Cebu, Philippines shares his journey from founding PhotoUp to establishing the company as an industry leader.

PhotoUp offers professional photo editing and virtual staging services. Additionally, the company is a one-stop shop for real estate marketing and also offers additional services such as single property websites, floor plans, virtual tours, video editing, and much more.

With no further delay, let’s start the interview!

Can you kindly start by telling our readers about your background?

I grew up obsessed with video production in high school and college, which had a lot of cross-over with photography of course. Through college, while studying business and marketing, I ended up working for a high-end web design company and then became a licensed real estate agent on the tail of my schooling.

The combination of my interest in media, software development, real estate and business would ultimately culminate a few years later into the founding of PhotoUp in 2012.

As an entrepreneur and CEO, can you tell us about your entrepreneurship journey and how PhotoUp started? 

After a short and sweet run as a Realtor, I decided I was more interested in web design and software development, so naturally, I launched my own development company. It was through my software company that I initially was introduced to the Philippines.

And it wasn’t until a few years later that an old real estate buddy of mine introduced me to a real estate photographer he knew who needed some help with real estate photo editing. It sounded like an interesting project so we hired a few dedicated photo editors for him.

Before long it seemed there may be an opportunity to improve real estate photo editing outsourcing, so we founded PhotoUp in 2012.

What inspired you to start PhotoUp?

To be honest, PhotoUp was a much more random circumstance than it was premeditated. However, over time PhotoUp became my main focus rather than a side project and now it’s my full-time career.

Where is PhotoUp based, and how long has the company been in business?

PhotoUp has offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA and Cebu, Philippines. We’ve operated publicly since 2012, though we started early operations in 2011.

What have been your biggest challenges as a CEO of PhotoUp, and how did you overcome them?

Every year brings a new challenge, but certainly, super typhoon Rai which was a category 5+ storm that hit Cebu directly in December 2021 was the most challenging season operationally for the company.

It really revealed both some of our strengths as well as areas we can continue to improve redundancies. Through it all, we emerged a much stronger company, but it took a better part of a year for some of our employees to get back on their feet.

What makes PhotoUp different from other companies in the real estate photo editing industry?

I would say the three big areas that set PhotoUp apart from our competitors are: USA support, a focus on building software, not just services, and most recently the introduction of staffing, that is, having photographers work directly with their real estate photo editors.

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Would you kindly explain the difference between a dedicated photo editor and a distributed photo editor?

Sure. Distributed photo editing is how most traditional real estate photo editing desks run. You send your photos and the first editor to get to it does the editing. PhotoUp has a more advanced distributed editing system that looks at historical data between a photographer and editor to make this matching process better than most.

Dedicated photo editing on the other hand is basically hiring an employee. The photographer works directly with a photo editor to really dial in their quality and consistency, plus assist them with other tasks, such as building virtual tours, delivering photos, or doing marketing outreach to prospective clients.

With real estate photo editing as your main product offering, how many photo editors does PhotoUp currently have?

The business is very seasonal, but we typically have 180+ staff members year-round, with more seasonal staff to assist in the summer. We also have direct relationships with hundreds of contract photo editors as well. So it’s a bit of a moving target.

What are the advantages of hiring a dedicated photo editor?

Quality and consistency. A dedicated real estate photo editor is 100% focused on a photographer’s business. Naturally, this leads to much higher quality results than distributed editing ever could.

Is a dedicated editor the same as a virtual assistant? If not, kindly explain the difference.

Yes and no. A dedicated real estate photo editor is basically a specialized VA. Whereas VAs are typically more experienced in basic marketing and administrative tasks.

Just for our readers to get an idea, how much does PhotoUp’s real estate photo editing services cost?

Cost per edit ranges from $0.50 up to $2.00 based on if our photographers shoot single frames, HDR or flambient method and also depending if they choose dedicated or distributed. By far the least expensive editing on average comes from hiring a dedicated editor.

What other real estate marketing services does PhotoUp offer?

Our most popular additional service is real estate AI virtual staging. We’ve spent nearly five years becoming one of the top providers for VS in the country. We also offer 2D and 3D floor plan renders and real estate video editing.

Which product/service do you think is PhotoUp’s strongest? And why?

For a full-time professional real estate photographer, the answer is clear cut: hire a dedicated photo editor. You drop your cost per edit significantly and get the highest quality editing possible, plus they can help generate additional business in the slower season.

We also offer amazing single property websites which are growing in popularity as we continue to add more requested features.

Do you have any upcoming new product launches?

We do. In early 2023 we’re launching our new DIY virtual tour product, which is quite exciting. We’re also updating our plans to include at least 10 single property websites and 10 virtual tours with every plan.

This just provides more value to our photographers and provides another great opportunity for dedicated editors or VAs to assist photographers by building property sites and tours.

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Can you share with us some of the factors that have made PhotoUp so successful?

The biggest thing is US phone support plus 24/6 chat support directly from our operations floor in the Philippines. You call, we answer. It’s so important to me that we offer instant support to all our photographers.

What can you share with us about your vision for PhotoUp’s future?

We’re really towing the line that media, not just photography, is the future of the industry. As such, we’re investing heavily in our single property websites and virtual tour products, plus we’re going to be introducing updated order forms for photo editing, virtual staging, and floor plans in the coming year.

We’re also looking to build more operational and marketing software for photographers to be a true end-to-end system for real estate photographers.

Do you see the market for real estate marketing changing? If so, how?

Now more than ever the real estate market is just volatile. However, I think this provides a big opportunity for real estate media professionals to promote the value of their services.

As there become fewer listings available, agents need to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Zillow says that over 80% of buyers, for instance, find floor plans and virtual tours really helpful. So providing these extra levels of service to agents right now can help them win more business.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for PhotoUp and its mission?

We just blog a lot! But really, our marketing budget is actually very small. We have found a lot of success writing thought-leading content for our customers, such as reviewing other products and services in our industry, talking about new technology, and creative ways to market their business.

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What advice would you give to someone just entering the field of real estate photography?

I think the biggest thing is to keep it simple and not to undersell yourself.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

Haha, that’s an interesting question, not sure I have a good answer, but I will say starting a company overseas in a developing country is not for the faint of heart. We’ve had to navigate corrupt officials, very tricky international tax and accounting laws, and learn everything about labor legalities in the countries we operate… It’s a lot! 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

First and foremost, we appreciate each and every one of our photographers. If you haven’t already tried out a dedicated editor, I’d recommend trying a test edit with three different editors, it really has been game-changing for a lot of our customers.

And of course, I must give a huge shout out to our entire team! It’s been a wild, challenging, and fruitful ten-year journey, and we’re all very excited for the future. As a company, we believe in being a social enterprise and having a positive impact wherever we operate. In fact, our mission is to put people, planet, profit, and purpose on equal footing in business and beyond.

It’s a beautiful thing to connect talent around the world with the real business needs of our clients. While we’ve come a really long way, we are humbled by the journey in front of us as we continue to create services, technology, and staffing solutions to help drive more value for all our stakeholders around the world!

How can customers connect with you?

The best way to reach me is to just shoot a message over to support@photoup.net or give our customer service line a call. I work directly with all our support and operations teams each day and work to solve any customer inquiries as quickly as we can.

And that’s all for this interview.

Why don’t you try us out for yourself?!

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A week may feel like a long time in general, but during a pandemic, a week feels like an eternity. Things are changing so fast, and there is so much uncertainty out there that it’s hard to know what’s around the corner.

As we look ahead to the real estate market surrounding COVID-19, one thing seems to be certain – the long-awaited shift towards digital solutions for real estate is accelerating dramatically. For both buyers and sellers, the move to an online environment is offering a path through the chaos of lockdowns, quarantines, and uncertainty.

With that said, let’s try to make sense of everything that’s happening right now.

What is Coronavirus / COVID-19?

This global chaos is a result of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The new virus has swept across the globe in the first few months of 2020. Since it was first reported in China on the last day of 2019, it has infected more than 2.5 million people around the world, and developed into a pandemic that is disrupting the world in ways that none of us have seen in our lifetime. The virus is incredibly contagious, and it has a disproportionately heavy impact on the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

As a result, much of the world is in lockdown – confined to their homes in an effort to slow down the spread and give health authorities the time to come up with effective treatments and, ultimately, a vaccine.

The effect on the global economy has been profound. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost, travel has ground to a halt and it seems almost inevitable that we are in the early stages of a global recession that will have a profound effect on all our lives

Real Estate Market Before COVID-19

2019 was a solid year for American real estate. Early in the year, there were fears of a recession but those dissipated as the year wore on and buyers across the board regained their appetite. Low mortgage rates revitalized the market as summer drew to a close, and there was a definite swing away from urban settings towards suburban living. As explained by Rob Zelina to Forbes magazine,

“As people continue to place a higher value on livability, walkability, and a sense of community, the suburbs are taking on a more vibrant, urban aesthetic.”

There was undeniable growth in digital marketing within real estate during 2019. Services like Zillow and Redfin were able to grow their slice of the real estate market by using technology to showcase properties, find the right buyers, and facilitate easy transactions.

As the year drew to a close, the expectation was that real estate prices would continue to rise slowly and there would not be a recession in the near future.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the Real Estate Market

How quickly things changed. By the end of April, thousands of people had died, over 30 million Americans had filed for unemployment, the market had wiped out all of the gains made over the last four years and the future looked more uncertain than it had in a very long time.

So Where do We Go from Here

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller at this moment in time, chances are you’re re-evaluating your next moves and waiting to see what happens. The priority right now is to save lives while trying to get the economy moving again. Because the spread of the virus has been so uneven, different real estate markets have responded in different ways. For example, real estate activity in New York has ground to a complete standstill while real estate continues to press on in many places in the southwest.

It’s still a little too early to discern long-term trends, but logic tells us that the attractions of city life, such as congested bars, clubs, and events are going to be less desirable than smaller towns and more rural settings for the foreseeable future. Simply because you’re safer with fewer people around. That trend has already begun and small-town realtors should start preparing for a surge of interested buyers.

There are reports already of a shortage of housing stock, as owners may simply decide to hold onto their properties for the foreseeable future. In the commercial sector, it’s likely that the growth of shared workspaces such as WeWork is likely to stall as people are wary of sharing their workspace with countless others.

On the other hand, interest rates are cheaper than they have been since 2012 and for forward-thinking investors, this is a great opportunity to buy at a great price with great terms. There has also been a surge in re-financing of properties from people looking to save a few hundred dollars a month in mortgage repayments.

How Can Real Estate Agents Combat COVID-19

For realtors, the answer seems clear. They should be investing heavily in technology that will allow them to carry on selling property at a time when prospective buyers cannot be out doing in-person visits. That means evolving their entire business to be almost entirely virtual. It will become a necessity to start using services like virtual staging, 3D property tours, single property websites, and professional real estate photography on almost every property that goes up for sale.

With so much volatility in the air, the most important thing that both buyers and sellers can do is keep calm and get real clarity on their goals. Over-speculation at this time can be very dangerous. It’s best to begin planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

As a realtor, it’s completely understandable if you’re feeling some anxiety right now. These are uncharted waters for everyone. But there are a few things that you can do to fortify your position in the market and make sure you’re well-positioned for the rebound.

• Invest heavily in your digital presence. Use the tools that you have to ramp up your online visibility and make maximum use of tools such as virtual staging and 3D tours to cater to a market that is shifting online.
• Be understanding. Try to be empathetic and understanding if your clients are taking longer than usual to make decisions. Everyone is trying to figure out what comes next, and their goals may be shifting. You can remind them of their goals and that this could actually be a great time to invest in property, but you shouldn’t rush them as they make a decision.
• Don’t push yourself too hard. Automate as much of your process as you can, maintain your online visibility and then give yourself permission to slow down and wait for the wheel to turn. Remember…this too shall pass.

2020 is throwing the world some real nasty curveballs, and it looks likely to continue for some time. COVID-19 has affected almost every person and industry all over the world.

The real estate industry is not immune to the sudden economic downturn, and the threat that the pandemic poses to the ways we do business. Your ability to respond with agility, creativity, and speed is going to be vital if your business is going to survive and thrive during this difficult season.

When it comes to marketing real estate, the internet has assumed more importance than ever before. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has been limited to most people. They have been instructed to stay in their homes except for essential business. They need to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Once these restrictions are lifted, it is very likely that people will continue to be reluctant to go out and visit properties in person, making it critical to have as much information online as possible.

This is our new reality and nobody knows just how long this is going to last. What we do know is that the way people will be buying and selling homes IS going to change. Likely, forever.

If you want to ensure that your real estate photography business is going to survive and thrive through this season, you need to evolve. Start by making use of some of the incredible online tools that are available right now to help homebuyers continue to visit homes remotely, especially during these times of social distancing.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important tools at your disposal in the real estate marketing field:

• Single Property Websites – Create a beautiful website to help your property stand out online. Add photographs, 3D tours, floor plans, amenities, and neighborhood information, and connect it all to your client’s email so they can start capturing more interested buyers.
• Virtual Staging – Turn photos of an empty room into a fully staged masterpiece that catches the eye and inspires home buyers. It’s not only a great way to save time and money but it also limits the amount of foot traffic in/out of the home.
• Real Estate Video – Video is a more popular sales tool than ever before. In particular, drone footage has become extremely popular when it comes to real estate marketing. It can give a grand overview, show a sense of proportions, and allow you to get a new perspective on the property. All in all, it adds a whole new layer of glamour and information to a property listing.
• Virtual Tours – Using the latest 3D technology, consumers can literally ‘walk through’ each room and level of the home they are thinking of buying. It allows potential buyers to ‘walk through’ rooms, inspect every amenity, and get a sense of the layout of the property without ever having to leave their couch.

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How Much Do These Services Cost

As a real estate photographer, you’ll have to be smart about selecting the best provider(s) to work with in terms of both quality and price. Here are some cost averages for 2020.

• Single Property Websites –  from $9 to $29
• Virtual Staging –  from $25 to $150 per room
• 3D Virtual Tours –  from $10 to $50, but you’ll need to buy a special camera first (Matterport or iGuide are the two leaders in the space) which can cost $3,000 to $5,000
• Real Estate Video – from free (DIY) to $5,000 depending on your skillset and equipment needs.

How Much do I Charge for These Services

That all depends on the market that you’re operating in, and what your clients are willing to pay for your services.

Our recommended pricing is as follows:

• Single Property Websites – starting at $50 per site
• Virtual Staging – anywhere from $50 to $200 per room depending on your market
• 3D Virtual Tours – anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on your market
• Real Estate Video – anywhere from $50 to $5,000 depending on the listing and video requirements

It’s a fact, the real estate industry has and will continue to change after COVID-19. Once real estate agents and home sellers and buyers begin to recognize that fact, there’s no doubt that they’ll be moving more of their marketing online.

For real estate photographers, it’s easier than ever to use the services of companies like PhotoUp which offer a full suite of services. PhotoUp offers everything from real estate photo editing to virtual staging and single property websites, all wrapped up into a single platform built specifically for real estate photographers.

Let PhotoUp help you become a one-stop-shop for digital real estate marketing and help save your clients time and money in the process.

Sign up for your PhotoUp account today.

At the head of the photo editing team is a group of leaders who generate FRESH ideas that allow us to innovate and provide quality real estate photo editing to our customers. They are also the ones who ensure that all photo editors are happy and efficient at work.

Because PhotoUp puts great value in our leaders, our goal is to keep these awesome leaders inspired, motivated, and united throughout their time at PhotoUp. That’s why we often organize fun-filled and educational team building activities to build camaraderie and strengthen their teamwork.

On June 23, 2019, we organized a team building activity for the management team at Linao Resort and Hideaway, a beautiful resort in Cebu, Philippines. A sudden downpour did nothing to dampen the merriment and fun of the day. The team played games and spent time working with one another to learn more about their fellow colleagues, teammates, and friends.

Here’s what some of PhotoUp’s management team had to say about the activity:

• Antonette (GY Shift Support Team) – “The food, fun, and the people! They’re the best!”
• Karl (AM Shift Quality Control) – “We created stronger bonds while still having fun.”
• Ina (GY Shift Style Process Specialist) – “We got this great opportunity to know each other even though we were assigned in different shifts.”
• Mishael (PM Shift Assistant Manager) – “The best thing for me was seeing leaders from different shifts giving their time to build and strengthen the team’s foundation.”

Everyone had a lot of fun. But more importantly, they learned a lot from the experience.

• Zedrick (GY Shift Team Manager) – “We may have different personalities, characteristics, and styles. But we have the same goal—to make each other a better person. To build a strong camaraderie with each other.”
• Redd (AM Shift Team Manager) – “Help each other and learn from each other.”
• Aleks (PM Shift Team Manager) – “To achieve a goal, everyone must participate and act according to their roles. Doing so creates harmony throughout all the activities that are done to accomplish that goal.”
• Carl (PM Shift Team Manager) – “Teamwork! We win, we lose, we go up, we go down, we rise, we fall together!

By the end of the day, even though the day may have been cloudy, the team’s energy, excitement, and outlook on the future could not have been more bright!

• Marie Joy (GY Shift Quality Control) – “After the activity, communication with the Quality Controllers no longer felt awkward.”
• Chuckie (GY Shift Team Manager) – “We learned how to communicate with everyone freely about different perspectives at work and outside of work.”
• Joanne (AM Shift Team Manager) – “I learned about several of my teammate’s passions. They’re inspirational.”
• Steven (PM Shift Support Team) – “You can feel that the trust is there.”

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Despite their experienced as leaders, PhotoUp’s shift managers are always open for more insight on how to become better leaders.

• Mike (PM Shift Manager) – “Informal interaction without the stress of being in an office setting builds familiarity without pressure. The fact that the hierarchy of different positions are not considered during this team-building activity is a good start for better communication.”
• Mishael (PM Shift Assistant Manager) – “For a leader to be effective, he has to wholeheartedly own the responsibilities assigned to him, no matter how difficult they are.
• Jefferson (GY Shift Assistant Manager) – “Nothing is really impossible if we’re united.”

Of course, no team-building activity is complete without good food. The PhotoUp management team feasted on classic and tasty Cebuano food such as roasted pork and chicken, noodles, hanging rice, and more.

Inspiration, understanding, clear communication, accepting responsibilities, and a desire for each other to flourish. All these things make a strong team, stronger. We could not be more proud of the amazing leaders that continue to flourish and grow here at PhotoUp!

Rochel, Director of Product of PhotoUp, recently shared with us some insights into Women Techmakers, an initiative to empower women in the tech industry. As a core member of Women Techmakers Cebu, she seeks to inspire passionate, tech focused women to pursue their dreams and make a difference.

1. What is Women Techmakers?

Women Techmakers is Google’s global program for women who are in the tech industry. Kicked off in 2012 by then VP of Google[x], Megan Smith, Women Techmakers is now led by Women in Technology Advocate, Natalie Villalobos. Along with her is a global team of Googlers who are passionate about empowering women in technology through increased visibility, community, and resources.

This year is the 6th anniversary of Women Techmakers in Cebu. Women at all levels—CEOs, founders, designers, developers, or students in any technology-related role—are encouraged to participate in Women Techmakers. No matter your background, career, organization, or identity, you are welcome in the industry. Women Techmakers wants to help women find what they need to be successful.

2. What are the goals/objectives of Women Techmakers?

Women Techmakers continually launches global scalable initiatives and pilots new programs to support and empower women in the tech industry. The programs and events aim to improve confidence, provide opportunities, build communities, and develop resources for women. Women Techmakers is all about empowering women through career advancement in the tech industry.

3. What are some of the noteworthy activities/events of Women Techmakers? How often do you hold these activities?

Women Techmakers is usually held during International Women’s Month so we could give recognition to women who have influenced the tech industry. We invite women speakers from various aspects of the tech industry to share their expertise to students and professionals.

This year, we had 13 speakers talking on various topics involving Women in Technology, Women in Project Management, Women in QA, Women in Development, Women in Design, Women in Motherhood and Freelancing, Women in StartUps, and Women in Community. We also had a Cloud Study Jam where participants get hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and Scientific Data Processing.

We also engage in open forums to discuss relevant issues that participants usually deal with. It gives the participants and the speakers an opportunity to share their opinions. Participants are encouraged to talk about their passion projects, events, or other communities where women can join.

Finally, this year, there’s a new foundation called Women in Appsec. It’s an initiative to empower women working in the cyber security field.

4. With the organization’s endeavors, do you feel that Women Techmakers have reached a milestone or some of the objectives?

I am one of the organizers and core members of Women Tech Makers Cebu. During the first event in 2013, there were only 50 attendees. With the help of our 6-core members, volunteers, GDG members, and sponsors, we’ve reached over 250 attendees! In fact, Women Techmakers Cebu 2019 had the highest number of participants in Asia!

For us, that is a great milestone. It means a lot to see results on the efforts that our group have invested. We plan to invite even more participants in the coming years.

5. How did you (and our other team members) got started with Women Techmakers?

Women Techmakers was held under Google Developers Group (GDG) in 2017. I was invited as a guest speaker that year. After my talk, I approached the organizers and expressed my interest in rendering help in the future events.

Fast forward to 2019, Cebu’s Google Community Manager Shad Roi Dela Cruz sent me a message about WTM Cebu needing a core team. He asked if I would be interested to help the women tech community in organizing events. Definitely, I was thrilled and joined enthusiastically without second thoughts.

I invited Jenny Gumolon, PhotoUp’s project manager, and Hazelle Mae Castro, PhotoUp’s admin assistant, to join me. Persuasion wasn’t necessary for them as this was a cause we all care about. Led by Franchette and Frances, we’ve become a six all-female members team.

6. You have been frequently invited as a speaker. What do you usually share with the attendees of Women in Tech Communities? Do you feel that you have made a difference in their personal or professional lives?

I have almost a decade of experience in website and UI design, mixed with product/team management, training, and staffing. I share my personal and professional experience to the community. I think 80% of my talks are about my journey in the tech industry as well as technical aspects in design. For tech students, I usually tackle tips on getting hired on design positions, or discuss about the career path of designers in the technology industry.

Jenny and Hazelle made a huge difference. Being in a community gives a sense of belongingness. Encouraging women to be part of the community and giving back to the community keeps one mentally stimulated and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It is also very rewarding to organize or lead events.

When you take a leadership role, you have this unique opportunity to influence and shape the world around you. You become enthusiastic in sharing that opportunity.

As such, I believe people who share what they love attracts equally passionate individuals. In my case, these are my friends and teammates. We empower each other, and we empower others to excel in the technology industry.

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7. What is your personal outlook on the women in the tech industry? What role or impact do you think they will have on the tech industry?

When I started my career years ago, there were relatively few women in the tech industry, although, in some countries, the gender ratio is higher. While women caught up in academia, the number of women receiving bachelor’s degrees rose to over 50% for the first time in 2011. The tech industry is progressive and innovative, yet the population of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is slightly behind that of men.

When it comes to tech, women generally make up half of the total users, although they are largely underrepresented. Until recently there are only a few women who are highly successful and influential in this industry. But women are definitely game changers. In fact, research by PwC reveals that having a woman in a tech team can lead to vast increases of a business’s success rate. Women offer fresh and empathetic perspective in a formerly male-dominated industry.

These statistics says that it’s vital and we need more women as role models. We need women among professional ranks to advocate, mentor, support and really pave the way for the next generation of female innovators and inventors in technology sector.

8. What is the most challenging aspect of working and flourishing in the tech industry for women?

I’m a part of different women’s groups. The call for help is when strong women become part of male-dominated teams. In the working society, men and women have different acceptable ranges of assertiveness. Traditionally, women can’t be equally assertive as men. Beyond the acceptable levels of assertion, women will be called bossy. I am lucky and happy to be a part of a team where this stereotyping isn’t encouraged.

9. You mentioned about starting our own community called Cebu Leaders Community in our very own PhotoUp and Folio. Can you tell us more about this?

My colleagues Jenny, Hazelle, and Claudine have plans on creating a community. We love organizing engagement activities and creating venues to discuss relevant tech-related issues. With these ideas, we would love gather passionate individuals, then form a community of like-minded leaders in a local setup. Technology is an innovative aspect, and we all need to be connected to move forward. We hope to have an encouraging group of leaders who will teach those who are into tech to excel and transform the world into a better place.

10. Any advice to ladies who want to delve into the tech industry?

Find a support group or a mentor. If you are in an influential position, create a healthy environment for women to flourish. I love this classic quote but with more empathic approach: “Empowered women, empower everyone.”

For ladies who want to succeed and make a difference in the tech industry, Women Techmakers is here to inspire, encourage, and give you opportunities. This is your chance to shine and prove to the world that Wonder Women and Super Girls are real!

Ezra, one of the pioneers of PhotoUp, proves how age comes with wisdom and knowledge as he gains skills and experience. At PhotoUp, Ezra learned a lot, took on additional responsibility, and overcame many challenges. He has successfully flourished, both personally and professionally.

Ezra spends every moment of his life learning skills, inspiring others, solving problems, caring for his family, and having a lot of fun. Let’s learn more about this cool team leader and how he makes every minute count.

1. Tell us more about yourself.

Hello! I’m Ezra John Suzara, and I’m at a healthy age of 39 years old. Having said that, I have to state the obvious: I’m probably one of the oldest folks here at PhotoUp. Some call me Tatay (Father), Lolo (Grandpa), but most call me Kuya (Big Brother). I am happily married to a wonderful woman and have three amazing children (Mandy, 18; Thea, 17; and Zach, 2).

Outside of work, I’m either at home spending time with my family or hitting the rugged trails of Cebu’s hinterlands on my mountain bike.

2. How did you start out at PhotoUp? How has it grown over the years?

I started working at PhotoUp sometime mid 2013. Incidentally, I found an ad online but I wasn’t really looking for a full time job because I had my own computer repair business at home. But something inside me told me to apply, so I sent an application online.

After a few days, the company called me in for an interview. The address they gave me was in a familiar neighborhood. In fact, I have friends who live in that village.

CEO Kristian Pettyjohn and PhotoUp Operations Manager Ossie Losano interviewed me. Although it was a group interview, I remember not feeling nervous due to their cool and friendly demeanor.

So we first started working in that cozy house in Banilad. I miss that house, especially the garden, kitchen, and pantry.

In my 5 years in PhotoUp, I have seen the company grow from just 20 employees to more than 200. We needed a bigger space so we transferred here at Crown 7 Business Center.

It feels amazing to see the company grow up from a mere handful to a full-fledged corporation. It’s a concrete testament to what teamwork, willpower, and determination can do.

3. Can you explain your role at PhotoUp?

I am PhotoUp’s AM Shift Manager. I oversee everything that happens in the shift. I make sure edits are delivered on time and that my editors are following the standards that our real estate editing company has set. I also act as the bridge between the editors and upper management.

4. What is your leadership style? How do you describe yourself as a leader?

I’m a democratic type of leader. Whether the consensus would need the collective decision of the entire shift or just the management team, I always ask opinions from those involved and weigh my options.

As a leader, I try my best to be a good example to my workmates. I have a good work ethic, create a positive family environment, and try to develop my team personally and professionally. I make my team feel that I’m a friend and that they can talk to me freely. I want to be a leader who inspires them.

5. At which point in your tenure did your realize that a leadership position was for you?

A year after I was employed at PhotoUp, my bosses had big plans for the company. During the planning session for expansion, I realized that with skills, knowledge, and personality, I could help the company grow. To guide and develop our new young talent.

My bosses thought the same way as well.

6. As a shift manager, what are some of the challenges you’ve had to face?

There are a lot of challenges in a management role. One would be bringing together a group of individuals—each with different and unique attitudes, personalities, and character—towards a common goal. I have to use a different approach for each individual member.

Another would be the “age gap”. Although I don’t have any problems relating to them (since I’m young at heart), there are times I get reminded that most of them are fresh out of college and inexperienced. That poses as a challenge.

What I do to overcome this particular challenge is to get to know them individually, a little at a time. I try to understand where they are coming from. Thus, I sometimes hangout with them outside work. I give them advice about relationships, love, life and insert some tips on how to survive in PhotoUp.

That way, they would see me as a person and not just a shift manager or some old man who bosses them around. 😉

7. How do you keep your team motivated, inspired, and on their feet?

As a manager, my subordinates know that I try to make work as light, easy, fun, pleasant, and rewarding as possible. I try make them laugh with my corny “dad” jokes. I motivate them through words of wisdom and, most importantly, through my actions.

When they do a great job, I provide recognition and show genuine appreciation. I make them feel that they are a valuable part of the team, like we’re one big family.

When they commit a mistake or fail to meet expectations, I tell them we are humans, and we make mistakes. But the most important thing is that we learn from them and not to repeat the same mistake. Everyone deserves a second chance.

8. Tell us about the most difficult situation you experienced as a team. How did you overcome it?

We had one situation just recently. Due to differences in opinion, the AM team was sort of divided over a certain issue. That caused tension between members. In fact, it resulted in a conflict between employees.

In order to resolve this, we brought both parties into a room to talk through the matter, face to face. I told them that mutual respect is very important and to always keep in mind that everyone deserves a second chance. We must Learn, Forgive, Forget, and Move On.

As a team, we grew stronger after the incident.

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9. What are your other interests and hobbies?

My other interests aside from photo editing is biking, mountain biking to be specific. I like to hit the trails every chance that I get.

I’m also a gadget freak, and I love new gadgets and the latest trends in technology. Recently, I took an interest in videography. I take video footage (including aerial videos) of my trails and edit them.

I’m also interested in PC computer games, both online or offline, like Defense of the Ancients (DOTA). I also enjoy fixing personal computers and laptops.

10. How does your hobby or interest help you in becoming a better manager/person?

My interest in biking has always made me think about life itself. One wrong move or hesitation on my part would result in a crash. So I have to assess all possible situations before I decide to take action.

Much like in life and in being a manager, I don’t dive in right away. Before I react or make any decision, I weigh my options. Look at the pros and cons. Ask advise when needed.

11. Care to share a few of your professional and personal goals?

Being a manager, I would like to focus on employee development and improvement. It makes me proud to see my editors grow personally and professionally, setting their own goals. I also want to advance further in my career.

Personally, I want to able to sufficiently render support for my family, especially that my girls are now going to college and my boy is going to school soon. Finally, I would like to do more traveling with my family and develop my skill in videography.

12. Has your experience working at PhotoUp helped you achieve your professional and personal goals?

Definitely, yes! From the very start, I am very grateful to my PhotoUp family for believing and supporting me. Being part of this team made me realize that happiness and contentment is not just about the work. It’s about the relationships, friendships, and memories made.

13. Any advice to people who want to hold a leadership position?

Being in management is a great privilege and responsibility. It’s all about having a good work ethic and good performance.

If you want to hold a position in management, you must never let your title go to your head. Instead, use your experience to understand your teammates and to relate to them. It’s not always about being the best there is. Rather, it’s about seeing the big picture on how to get the job done effectively and efficiently.

Being in management doesn’t mean you’re always right. You must be open-minded. You must be optimistic, you must be able to lift up your teammates when they are down. Being a leader takes a lot of dedication and commitment.

The famous adventurer Indiana Jones once said, “It’s not the years. It’s the mileage.” That’s definitely true in the case of Ezra. Throughout the years, he has learned the skills not just to become an excellent leader but also a great father and individual. Way to go, Ezra!

Mishael, our Assistant Manager on PhotoUp’s PM shift, is one of our most avid free divers. He enjoys the sport as much as he enjoys taking fabulous photos underwater. The photos below are just some of the stunning underwater images he has taken.

It’s no surprise then that one of his recent photos got viral. The stunning viral photo, which featured Mishael wearing his school uniform while free diving , captured imagination of thousands, garnering more than 3,700 reactions, 300 comments, and 1,600 shares! That is very impressive!

In fact, it became so popular that Mishael got featured in Cebu Daily News (CDN), one of our local dailies. You can check out the feature here: At Home Under Water

Following this viral phenomenon, we exchanged a few words with Mishael.

1. What made you decide to go into free diving?

My friends persuaded me to try out the sport. I agreed, trying out snorkeling at first. It was then that I witnessed the amazing life underwater and fell in love with the sea. It sparked my enthusiasm so much so that I want to go deeper.

Also, the feeling of being one with the ocean when freediving is incomparable.

2. A lot of people are afraid of the deep blue. And rightfully so because it’s a wild, alien environment. How do you deal with that fear?

I used to be afraid of the ocean. The view beyond the trench where you can’t see coral or the seabed but just an endless blue made me feel that a huge sea monster would appear any minute and swallow me whole.

But when I started free diving and bore a fascination with the ocean, that fear was gradually replaced with feelings of acceptance and belonging. With proper training, I started becoming more relaxed underwater.

3. What makes freediving appealing to you?

Free diving is primarily a mental sport. You need to relax, but you also have to maintain your focus at the same time. For me, the sport is an escape from the busy world we live in.

It’s about self-awareness and the realization that we are part of a bigger world.

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4. How has freediving had an impact with your personal and professional life?

Free diving made a huge difference in my personal and professional life, most especially with my anxiety in times of stress. The sport taught me how to relax and ease up during stressful situations.

5. How does it feel to be featured in CDN?

I was happy to share my freediving journey, and it was an opportunity to share my advocacy. I also like taking pictures of marine life and my dive buddies doing their thing. Through my photos, I hope to help people appreciate the wonders of the ocean and realize it is worth saving. Thus, you can understand how happy I felt when my photos went viral.

Speaking of saving the ocean, every dive should be considered as a cleanup dive. My buddies and I often retrieve pieces of trash we see floating around during our dives. We bring handmade mesh bags where we could put the rubbish in. My girlfriend takes the recyclables and places them inside eco-bricks. The rest goes to the trash bin.

I actively participate in beach cleanups, especially since PhotoUp, the real estate photo editing company that I work for, promotes such activities. We post photos and videos of these activities in social media to spread awareness about the ocean plastic pollution and to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste.

6. Any advice for new free divers out there?

Always remember the GOLDEN RULE: “Never dive alone.” Safety first! ‎Always dive with a buddy for safety and to share the fun experience with.

Finally, respect the ocean; when we dive, we are not in our realm. Never leave garbage behind. Don’t destroy corals, and don’t spook marine life.

Way to go, Mishael! Not only are you a great PhotoUp leader but you’re also a true sportsman, a source of inspiration, and an environmental advocate. Keep diving deep, Mishael!

1. What inspired PhotoUp to be a business rooted in social enterprise?

Our editing operations are based in Cebu, the Philippines. Our founder and current CEO Kristian started the business there after visiting some of his family that lives in Manila. He came to know and admire the Filipino people.

Cebu also provided a great opportunity because, due to the time difference from North America, it was easy to have photographers upload their photos at night and get them back the next morning. The initial model of the business was trying to solve a real problem for real estate photographers: they need to shoot a lot of homes to make a living and they need to deliver their images the next day.

For most real estate photographers, this meant compromising sleep or family time at night in order to operate their businesses. So starting a real estate photo editing business in Cebu was a perfect fit for the business side of things.

On the social side, our other co-founder Chris had a huge heart for the Philippines. He was witness to the social problems there. After visiting the Philippines on development projects with his former company and talking to with a lot of young Filipinos, Chris realized there was a real need for stable, creative work for young people fresh out of university. In the Philippines, lots of young people have degrees, but there aren’t many good jobs to go around.

Lots of young Filipinos are forced to take jobs in overseas foreign worker programs that often leave them broken and disillusioned. They leave the country at the time when they could be making a positive social impact back home.

One of our very first employees, Ossie, who is now Director of Operations in Cebu and the tsar or our social impact program, also has a huge heart for these issues. He pointed out that on top of everything else, the Philippines has some real environmental problems, especially with the overuse of single-use plastics and abundance of trash along their coasts and interior waterways.

Out of these three tracks, the business and the social enterprise were born: generating revenue by servicing a real need in the real estate photography industry, providing creative jobs to those fresh out of university and long-term management positions to young people (over 90% of our leaders are in management for the first time), and using the additional revenue to fund social projects developed, led by our employees to tackle systemic problems of environmental degradation and poverty.

These social projects, coupled with some additional goal setting and leadership training, have given our employees some real-world training on how to positively impact their communities. We continue to develop our social impact as we grow, making a real commitment this year to promote women in leadership and tech. Next year, we will be adding a matching program to fund additional schooling for our staff.

Overall, we believe that businesses can and must be the drivers of social change. At Photoup, we believe we have built something that is beautiful, can have lasting an sustainable impact, and can give all of us a better reason to go into the office everyday than punching a clock and making money.

2. How does PhotoUp balance the profit side of the business with the “impact sourcing” side?

Great question! I know a lot of investors ask their teams to focus on profit first and then social impact second. Luckily for us, all our initial cash has come from investors who are investing as much BECAUSE of the social side of things as a return on their investment.

So on the one hand, we are blessed to not only have the backing of our investors but also having real accountability to uphold our social principles in order to make them happy. We’re also in the process of applying for B-Corp status, which will make us even more accountable to our social responsibility even as we expand. Our goal is to be B-Corp certified by 2019.

That said, the whole point of a social enterprise rather than a charity is to be self-sustaining, so profit does matter to us. If we didn’t turn a profit, then we couldn’t continue to operate and the social impact we are having in Cebu would also cease to exist.

I think the biggest way that we find this balance is by selling our social impact to our clients. We are not the cheapest real estate photo editing company in the world, in part because we pay our staff well for the Cebu economy and in part because we have to factor in support for our additional social programs and so, we find it beneficial to show our clients as much as possible the benefit that their partnership with us is having on our staff and Cebu.

It’s somewhat like selling organic food—yes it costs more, but because it is often harder to grow and in the end tastes better. As long as clients understand why we are more expensive, they are generally willing to pay a little bit more, which allows us to maintain profitable margins and continue operating both sides of the business.

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3. Do you believe more businesses will be using social enterprise in the future?

This is a hard question for me, to be honest. I do believe that a lot of people look around and see the great social and environmental needs the world still has, even after so much progress and I believe they want to do something about it. I do believe people are starting to understand that the charity model of constant fundraising (and spending a fair amount of the raised money on the process of raising more money), along with the inability to keep good talent, is probably not sustainable long-term.

I also think that people are starting to see that being socially responsible is not only morally beneficial, it is also economically beneficial for both on the sales and talent retention (who doesn’t want to work for a company that is doing good in the world?). All of that makes me want to believe that more entrepreneurs will want to start social enterprises. That means more businesses will become social enterprises in the future. But… I’m a bit cynical by nature, and there are just so many big companies willing to be so socially irresponsible that sometimes I’m not so sure.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading more about our story and the impact we are trying to have in the Philippines. If you have any questions about the social side of the business or are thinking about starting a social enterprise of your own, please be in touch. We are always happy to talk about the positive impact we are trying to have in the world and how you can be a part of it!

Since many of our team members are beachgoers, we held our party at The Planet Beach Resort, a cozy beach resort in the rustic town of Compostela.

Majority of the people came in their Hawaiian-inspired outfits, which matched the jovial mood of the day.

At 11 AM, Ossie, our office manager, gave the welcoming remarks. Within a few minutes, the PhotoUp Christmas party officially started. Jay-R, a college student from the University of Cebu, emceed the event. He was an exceptionally fun and engaging host.

Each team presented Emmy-award winning performances. Clarice of the Western VP sang a sweet rendition of “Para Lang Sa Iyo” (Only For You), a contemporary Filipino love song.

Throughout the party, we had raffle prizes. The winners took home blenders, electric fans, stoves, and more. But the truly fortunate ones got a washing machine, a personal refrigerator, and a brand-new LED TV! You lucky guys you!

The most awaited part of the party—any party, for that matter—finally came! Everyone enjoyed a buffet that was lined up with delicious traditional Filipino dishes that everyone loved. Suddenly, silence filled the venue, broken only chomping sounds and low murmurs.

At last, the plates were cleared although some guys and gents were seen heading back to the table several times. The party resumed with a jaw-dropping presentation of Junrich, representing the Graveyard shift. He mimicked the sound of DJ turntables, percussion instruments, and synthesizers using nothing more than his oral and vocal chords!

Another amazing presentation by Adrian of the AM Shift, singing a medley of popular songs. Many of our team members are talented singers!

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The PhotoUp PM presentation displayed a multitude of cool talents. A guitarist, a beatbox drummer, a singer, and a group of dancers performed a medley of Christmas song.

Carl had the entire group in guffaws as he performed a series of rather interesting and energetic dance moves.

No party is complete without games! Racing to pop balloons against one’s butt got people cheering and laughing their hearts out.

Bet we can fit 7 people in that box. It’s a battle of estimation and strategy between the ladies and gentlemen.

How many people do you think can lie down in that collapsed box without touching any part of their torso on the floor?

Kristian, Devon, and Dave (our CEO, CMO, and COO respectively) together with PhotoUp investors and board members prepared a nice video thanking us for all our hard work. They also gave us an overview of the company’s direction in 2018, which got us totally energized!

This video also shows you why “K-Pac” and “Dr. Higgs” are the coolest executives ever!

The party officially ended at around 4 PM, but for some, it wasn’t over. Some stayed for a drink or two while others donned on their snorkel masks and explored the tidal flats in front of resort.

By now, you would have known that we definitely have a happy team!

PhotoUp truly knows how to have a lot of fun the Yuletide Season! Our awesome party was a perfect capper to a productive, successful 2017. Now we’re stoked to face another exciting and challenging year!

Who We Are:

PhotoUp partners with photographers around the world to connect them with young creative leaders in the Philippines through an innovative impact-sourcing model. By providing editing solutions, business tools and leadership training, we focus on helping people to flourish in three areas: Filipino Communities, Leadership and Photography.

Who You Are:

PhotoUp is looking for someone who loves photography, enjoys building relationships and is passionate about working collaboratively with a purposeful company. Strong candidates will have great conversational skills, a passion and knowledge of photography, and an understanding what it takes to run a small business.

Qualifications

– A four-year college degree required. Emphasis in Photography, Marketing or Business Management

– 1 year of international and cross-cultural work experience is highly desirable

– High-level writing skills and ability to communicate effectively with others

– Bright, energetic individual committed to finding innovative solutions to complex problems

– Self-starter and self-disciplined

– Relationally driven, compassionate and professional

– Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities

– Flexible and creative when it comes to problem-solving and conflict resolution

– Keen awareness and empathy for clients

– High self-awareness

– Highly responsive and decisive

– Personal passion/knowledge of photography is highly desirable

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Account Manager Responsibilities

– Understand the client’s business goals and assist them in creating a pathway to success using the PhotoUp platform

– Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively with potential clients

– Build and nurture relationships via email, phone, and social media

– Establish new sales channels and partnerships

– Foster existing partnerships and relationships with clients

– Assist CMO with high-level planning, forecasting, and vision

– Work with operations and support departments to ensure success of client onboarding

– Create weekly, monthly and annual sales updates

– Achieve & exceed monthly sales goals

– Manage and update sales database

Additional characteristics we’re looking for in all roles at PhotoUp

– An understanding, commitment to and passion for PhotoUp’s mission to always keep it FRESH:

1. Flourishing
2. Respect
3. Excellence
4. Setting Goals
5. Having Fun!

– Solid operational skills including problem-solving and project management skills, including ability to work and deliver projects independently, proactively and under pressure

– Effectively collaborates with and across teams, both local and abroad

– Seeks and provides constructive feedback to/from coworkers at all levels

– Exceptional relationship and interpersonal skills: courtesy, tact, patience and strong team orientation

– Ability to thrive under pressure, remain calm and respectful during conflictive situations, and be flexible in terms of hours worked, working environments and tasks at hand

– Goal oriented when it comes to both business and personal goals

– A sense of humor (seriously… we love a good joke!)

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Hours per week: Full-time
Salary: Based on experience
Start date: February 2018
Applications will be accepted until position is filled

Please email cover letter and resume to Sales@photoup.net