Luxury Real Estate

Seasons Greetings Everyone and Welcome to My Online Fundraising Auction!

Courtesy of Tim Harris of Tradewinds Realty

As some of you know, I have set a personal challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on January 4th. I expect to summit January 14th and walk off the mountain by January 16th. My ultimate goal in this challenge is to raise $50,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation Atlantic Canada. To reach this fundraising goal, I am auctioning off my extensive collection of Panoramic photographs. The online auction will run from November 17th to midnight December 3rd. As you will see, I have an impressive selection of panoramic photographs which capture the beauty and character of the province. I am fully funding my own travel, event and climb expenses ($7,000+) and 100% of all auction funds I raise will go directly to Make-A-Wish Atlantic Canada. It is my personal wish that you view and bid on the online photographs and support me in my efforts to benefit this incredibly worthwhile cause.

I have never seriously fundraised for a charity before and I find this a huge challenge in itself. My goals may appear as steep as the climb itself, but each step I take and every penny I fundraise will be worth it. I am keen, excited and overjoyed to be representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation Atlantic Canada. The Make-A-Wish Foundation Atlantic Canada identifies, organizes and grants “wishes” for children between the ages of 3-17 who have life threatening medical conditions. The organization is not-for-profit and wishes granted are funded solely by personal and corporate fundraising events and private donations. The Atlantic Chapter is currently working on granting 8 wishes and there are 8 wishes in the waiting. Wishes are as varied and personal as the children themselves. A child can wish to “be”, wish to “go”, wish to “have” or wish to “meet”...and with your support, we can share the power of granting a wish to a sick child. If you’d like more information on how this organization grants wishes to sick children and enriches this human experience with hope, strength and joy, please visit http://www.makeawish-atl.ca/

Some of you have already mentioned you are inclined to assist me in this fundraiser and I appreciate your generous support of my efforts.

In addition to the on-line auction, there are two ways to give

For more information click here

Ilya Moshenskiy, a renowned photographer and longtime business partner with LuxuryRealEstate.com, recently completed a photo shoot for a luxury property called Seattle Escala. To see his beautiful photos of this property, click on the above link.

Ilya, as he is affectionately called by his clients and friends, has taken Seattle photography to a whole new level with the avant-garde style and composition of his pictures.

Several companies and individuals were instrumental in making this shoot so successful and visually exciting. Polina Zaika, principal of MusaDesign Interior Design, was in charge of arranging most of the furniture in the rooms. She is internationally recognized for her unique style and desire for perfection in her designs.

Jeff Lamb, founder of J Lamb Studio, also contributed to Seattle Escala’s layout. Masins Furniture supplied the elegant pieces of furniture. Roche Bobois provided additional furniture for the shoot. Stacy Jones, vice president of Realogics, is heading the marketing efforts for the property.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a sample of Ilya’s work on Seattle Escala.

As a partner of LuxuryRealEstate.com, Ilya’s Photography is responsible for most of that company’s photographs at its annual networking events. For the past four years, Ilya’s Photography has been the principal photographer for LuxuryRealEstate.com.

For more information about Ilya’s photographic services, which include architecture, food and other products, please contact him at ilya@ilyaphoto.com or visit his website, www.ilyaphoto.com.

Ilya Moshenskiy, our favorite estate photographer, shared these pictures of Seafair - Seattle's Summer Celebration with us. Take a look at some of his amazing work!

Please click here for more pictures

Photographer, Ilya Moshenskiy, long time friend and partner with LuxuryRealEstate.com, has shared his time and talent with our community for years at LRE events. He now would like to share a link to some photographs that he says may be some of his "favorites". Please enjoy the fruits of Ilya's photo shoot of the recent Chelsea vs. Seattle Sounders soccer game that took place here in Seattle. Thanks, Ilya!

Click here!

By John Brian Losh

As broker of Ewing & Clark, Inc. and CEO/Publisher of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and LuxuryRealEstate.com, my image has become a part of our branding. Like it or not, as real estate professionals, our faces are as ubiquitous as our logos, which is why I make the effort to update my professional photography on a regular basis (no need to deceive people with the expectation of youth when they meet me for the first time!).

John Brian Losh

Photography can be costly and it takes time, but good images of you and your company (just as with property listings) can make a world of difference. Last week I spent some time with my favorite photographer, Ilya Moshenskiy, to update my personal photography. We also took some great family photos that I wanted to share.

John Harvey Losh, John Casey Losh, John Brian Losh, and grandchildren (Cole Hackman, John Xavier Losh, Bailey Hackman)

By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty

Ilya’s Photography sets the highest standards for quality in the industry with over 30 years of experience. He has enjoyed a lifelong passion for his work, and it is instantly evident with the results he delivers.

I first met Ilya at the Luxury Real Estate conference in Del Mar, California several months ago. I asked someone at the conference after I met him, “Who is that guy?” I was told he is the finest photographer in the world who captures the true essence of luxury real estate properties in the world! Over the past two years I have personally discovered that to be TRUE!!! We have become GREAT friends since our first meeting. He and his wife have become a gift to my wife and me.

With Ilya’s perfect taste and vision for each of his subjects - whether luxury real estate, or food, or cars, he is able to create results that take my breath away. He is an absolutely master of lighting and composition. The way I describe mastery is “unconscious competence”, and when he walks into a room with a camera he is totally in control of his environment.

So, about a month ago Ilya called me and said a friend of his was visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, and would I be able to have lunch with him. I told Ilya that I would be delighted to host his friend in any way I could. The day Ilya said his friend was arriving I receive a call from Ilya letting him know that his friend has just arrived at my office and could I meet with him right away. I was just four minutes from my office so I told him I would be right there.

I walked into my office to find Ilya, his wife Irene, and his cousin, Michael. What a wonderful surprise. The first thing he did was start taking pictures. Ilya and his wife were visiting his cousin who lives in San Francisco, and decided to drive out to our office just for a fun surprise. We had an hour or so of sharing life and laughter.

The next month we were in Las Vegas together at the Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate Conference. Ilya was so kind to include me in so many of his photos throughout the conference. He had a presentation for me of some of his favorite luxury real estate photos, and I am sharing some of them with you so you can marvel at his creations.

Ilya has shot luxury estates in France, Spain, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Miami, Chicago, the Seattle area, plus many other locations all over the world. After checking out his work, my next question was, “How much does this type of quality photography cost for shooting a luxury home or estate?” Well, I discovered that he has VERY competitive rates that are negotiated as flat-rate prices for any of his assignments. He is even willing to offer long-term budgeted photo-shoot contracts. His flat-rate policy is greatly appreciated within our industry because it is THE rate no matter how much time it takes to complete the project. Again, I don’t think you will find a better value for your marketing dollar if you decide on Ilya’s photo services. If you are considering photography needs for any of your luxury real estate properties he is the person to contact immediately.

Ilya’s Photography works with exclusive clientele in a variety of countries and industries. As a result, his portfolio reveals an astonishing breadth of inspiration, dedication and talent. Go to his website and contact him directly. You will have the time of your life. Your East Bay lifestyle detective remains on duty. Until next time…

By Robert Lockard

Ilya Moshenskiy, the Principal Photographer of Ilya’s Photography, recently came home from an eventful trip to Cannes for the International Boat & Yacht Show. He arrived with a whole bunch of beautiful photos highlighting the celebration of luxurious watercraft of all shapes and sizes. Check out his collection of photos here:

http://ilyaluxury.com/gallery/luxury/Cannes%20International%20Show/expl.php?user=Cannes%20International%20Show

Ilya is no stranger to covering big events with his keen eye for small details. Near the end of summer this year, he took time to photograph beautiful images at Seafair in Seattle. He has also been present at many Luxury Real Estate conferences, and he will be at the 13^th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference on Oct. 11-14, 2008. He’s such a hard worker and we definitely appreciate all of his efforts here at Luxury Real Estate.

Enjoy some of his amazing work below. Be sure to contact him at Contact him at ilya (at) ilyaestate.com or 425.883.2246 for all of your photography needs, including luxury homes, events, food and more.

Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate's newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. All of the photos in this blog entry are the copyright of Ilya’s Photography.

By Robert Lockard

“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gismos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.”

So says Ilya Moshenskiy, the Principal Photographer of Ilya’s Photography in Washington state. I love that quote because, as a writer, I can definitely relate to his point about great works being written by people and not by keyboards or computers.

Ilya is an amazing photographer in a variety of fields, including luxury homes, weddings, events and cuisine. He has been the Official Photographer of the past nine Luxury Real Estate conferences and he always produces the finest photographic masterpieces. Just ask Jim Walberg, a LuxuryRealEstate.com member in the Caribbean.

Check out these amazing photos that Ilya took at this year’s Seafair, Seattle’s big summer festival.

To see more of Ilya’s photos from Seafair 2008, click here!

I’ll end with one more quote from Ilya. He uses only the finest photographic tools in his work, but he also notes, “It doesn’t matter what kind of camera you are shooting with; the real issue is who is behind the camera. Great photography requires perfect lighting and composition. It will always be a human behind the viewfinder. High-end photography demands exceptional skill and not every photographer is up to the task.”

Ilya certainly is up to the task. Contact him at ilya at ilyaestate.com or 425.883.2246 today!


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. All of the photos above are the copyright of Ilya’s Photography.

By Janice Ridge

There are studies that indicate that both buyers and their agents are attracted to online listings that include photos. In fact, when I am searching MLS for a property for a client, I won’t even look at a listing that doesn’t have photos! And I am a real-estate professional! Truth is, most MLS photos are not that good. That’s why most real estate professionals go directly to the agent’s website to see better photos. I imagine the online consumer does, too.

In general, you would think that with the huge marketing opportunity of presenting photos online the quality would be better, but it isn’t. At LuxuryRealEstate.com, we are committed to making our photos stand out. I think we do a great job, don’t you?

But what I want to know is this: Does anyone know of any studies that show that videos on the Internet help to sell real estate? Is this something in which LuxuryRealEstate.com should invest for our members’ listings? Or are you as happy as I am with the quality of the online photos on LuxuryRealEstate.com?


Editor’s Note:
As the Director of Membership & Relocation at LuxuryRealEstate.com, and herself a licensed REALTOR®, Janice Ridge is devoted to coordinating the efforts of all of the LuxuryRealEstate.com membership and Account Managers, so that each of our members is given superior service. Photos are essential for advertising luxury homes for sale, whether in print or online media. I can’t think of a better photographer than Ilya Moshenskiy, the Principal Photographer of Ilya’s Photography. He is one of the finest luxury photographers in the business, and he can bring out the most amazing qualities in your homes. Jim Walberg recently gave some wonderful praise for Ilya’s fine photography. The photo above is an example of Ilya’s work and it is copyright of Ilya’s Photography.

By Jim Walberg

From his blog: Caribbean Real Estate Photos Instantly Take You There Wherever Your Computer Is!

Ilya Moshensky is one of the finest real-estate photographers that I have met!

I first met Ilya at the Luxury Real Estate conference in Del Mar, Calif. several months ago. He seemed to be everywhere during the conference taking photos of the participants and various events. I final asked one of the Luxury Real Estate staff people who was this guy! She smiled and said that he is the finest photographer they had found for capturing the essence of luxury real estate homes and estates. I began some homework after the conference to see some examples of this work since we always need a top photographer’s services for the luxury properties we represent - both in the Caribbean and the San Francisco Bay Area. Boy, was I impressed with what I discovered.

My experience is that Ilya’s Photography sets one of the highest standards for quality in the industry with over 30 years of experience. Ilya is the principal photographer of Ilya’s Photography, and he has enjoyed a lifelong passion his work with the camera. His reputation for excellence has spread both in the U.S. and internationally. Ilya has shot luxury estates in France, Spain, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Miami, Chicago, the Seattle area, plus many other locations in the States and the world. After checking out his work, my next question was, “How much does this type of quality photography cost for shooting a luxury home or estate?” Well, I discovered that he has VERY competitive rates that are negotiated flat-rate prices for any project. He is even willing to offer long-term budgeted photo-shoot contracts. His flat-rate policy is greatly appreciated within our industry because it is THE rate no matter how much time it takes to complete the project. Again, I don’t think you will find a better value for your marketing dollar if you decide on Ilya’s photo services.

In further discussions with the staff at Luxury Real Estate their consensus was that Ilya consistently produces quality work and can make a home or an estate look amazing. They said he has the ability to capture on digital film the best aspects of the luxury property. As promised, I am always on the look out for the best professional services I can find, whether it is a photographer or a painter. It takes a “village” to sell and buy a home - from the preparation of the marketing program to the signing of the closing documents, hiring a professional real-estate company is critical. Until next time….fair winds!


Editor’s Note:
Jim Walberg is the co-Broker/Owner of The Bay Area Team, the most-successful team at Keller Williams Realty-Danville. He is also a member of the global LuxuryRealEstate.com network. Jim is an experienced blogger, as you can see by visiting his blog, Caribbean Islands Realty. Feel free to submit your blog entries and comments to the LuxuryRealEstate.com Blog. Also, you can contact Ilya Moshenskiy to take advantage of his amazing photographic services at ilya at ilyaphoto.com. I highly recommend him, as well.