TourFactory Houston, Houston TX
Carl Lawrence from TourFactory Houston

Carl Lawrence

TourFactory Houston

About Us

StLawrenceMedia - High quality professional real estate photography, video, 3D Matterport, aerial video and photography, an interactive virtual tour platform, social media marketing, YouTube generation and much more to assist the real estate agent that understands the value of great photography and imaging in their marketing efforts. See Examples of our photography at www.StLawrenceMedia.com and see the full set of features that we can provide to the real estate agent who is determined to provide the best marketing available at www.StLawrenceMedia.com

How We Got Started

StLawrenceMedia has been in business for over 12 years. In 2014 the Houston metroplex area consisting of Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller and Montgomery was assumed by Carl as the Authorized Provider for a large media provider and has had meteoric growth ever since. We have now gone private as StLawrenceMedia. We understand the value of excellent imaging in creating great first impressions, and we provide a full suite of imaging products from the highest end still photography, aerial drone video and photography, Matterport and to top it off we provide one of the foremost internet marketing platforms available as the exclusive provider of www.StLawrenceMedia.com in the Houston metroplex.

Products & Services
Examples of recent photography and virtual tours shot by Carl: http://tours.tourfactory.co... Examples of recent photograp...
Real Estate Photography, Aerial stills and video, Matterport, video, virtual tours. www.TourFactory.com
Recommendations Given (36)
"I'm involved in photographing the Bay Oaks Yard of the Month that is highlighted in the Magazine..." Read more "I'm involved in photographing the Bay Oaks Yard of the Month that is highlighted in the Magazine that Priscilla puts together each month. The magazine is high quality and an asset to the community! Thanks, Carl"
"Many of the top agents in the Clear Lake area use Larissa's Staging services to make their..." Read more "Many of the top agents in the Clear Lake area use Larissa's Staging services to make their listings more presentable. She usually is able to make an average house into an awesome house. And I really like that when I come in to photograph a house it is ready to go. Larissa has "the eye" and is great to work with. I've seen her work through hundreds of properties and every one of them presented much better than if she hadn't been involved in the listing. My photos always look better when Larissa has staged the house first. Thanks, Carl"
Recent Activity

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on January 17, 2019
One way is to go to www.StLawrenceMedia.com and look at the examples of photography done for other agents in your area, e.g., select Tx and Houston or Seabrook, look for nice straight verticals, i.e., are the door jams straight up and down or are they bowed (distorted), look for sharp detail and... (more) One way is to go to www.StLawrenceMedia.com and look at the examples of photography done for other agents in your area, e.g., select Tx and Houston or Seabrook, look for nice straight verticals, i.e., are the door jams straight up and down or are they bowed (distorted), look for sharp detail and realistic color, stay away from the fake HDR look where everything looks plastic, but instead, very colorful, but also very realistic, also look for windows that are not blown out, washed out, or too bright. The view outside the window should be clear. Composition is very important. Look for views that show the home in its best light. Also look to see that the house is clean and orderly, many photographers just shoot without helping to declutter to some extent. We spend an average of approx. 10 to 15 minutes putting the blinds in the right position, removing clutter from countertops, putting away hoses, doggy dishes, turning on all the lights, etc., to that the house looks it's best prior to shooting. Also, look for photographers who are part of a virtual tour platform like the TourFactory platform because even if you have great photos, if nobody sees them, then it can be a waste of time or at the least, you're not getting the best from your investment of great photos. MLS can be great, but with a platform like www.StLawrenceMedia.com can get many more views than you will with MLS only.

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on October 26, 2018
I miss Borders Book Store. Ours closed after the 2008 financial meltdown. I loved going in there and reading all their books and magazines and drinking a coffee. We still have a Barnes and Noble and I love that as well, but now I have to travel an extra couple of minutes to get... (more) I miss Borders Book Store. Ours closed after the 2008 financial meltdown. I loved going in there and reading all their books and magazines and drinking a coffee. We still have a Barnes and Noble and I love that as well, but now I have to travel an extra couple of minutes to get there...;) Another is Pollo Loco. Although the flavor never matched up here in the Texas stores to how it tasted in the California market. That might be why it closed down. It's almost like they adjusted the taste to the Tx market, they thought, but it just wasn't as good. It was more bland here. If they had stuck with what worked in Ca they might still be in business here in Clear Lake

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on October 05, 2018
In this day and age with all the electronic communication and emails, social media, websites, etc., there is still a great need to interact face to face. It's difficult to spend the time going to networking events, etc., but I can absolutely say that it's the face to face interactions that have... (more) In this day and age with all the electronic communication and emails, social media, websites, etc., there is still a great need to interact face to face. It's difficult to spend the time going to networking events, etc., but I can absolutely say that it's the face to face interactions that have helped me the most in meeting new clients and referrals. People get overwhelmed with all the electronic communications, and many tend to just shut it out eventually, but, so bottom line, it's very difficult to get to the networking meetings to meet new people, but even though sometimes it seems like the cost to attend in terms of time, lunch ticket, gas to get there, it ends up still being the best way to connect. It's difficult and I spend a lot of time, even though sometimes it feels like I'm not being as productive doing it as I could otherwise be. To answer the question, I go to great lengths all the time in order to make and maintain these personal connections. 

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on September 28, 2018
I was shooting a home for the Flanagan team (photography that is) and talking with the owner as I'm shooting when I ask her where she and her family are moving. She mentions the area and starts describing the house and after a little bit I realize that it's a house I shot for the Flanagan team... (more) I was shooting a home for the Flanagan team (photography that is) and talking with the owner as I'm shooting when I ask her where she and her family are moving. She mentions the area and starts describing the house and after a little bit I realize that it's a house I shot for the Flanagan team several weeks earlier. It warmed my heart to know that no matter how small a part I played that I impacted the buying decision and choice of where to live for at least 2 different families. I felt validated in some small way that day, and I try to keep that in mind as I do my work, how important, even if just a small part of the whole process, those photos are to the families that I do the work for.

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on September 18, 2018
I was surrounded by people and businesses that were directly affected by Harvey in terms of physical damage. I didn't suffer damage from Harvey physically but because of the disruption to many of my clients, real estate agents and brokers, and ultimately the disruption to real estate sellers, the... (more) I was surrounded by people and businesses that were directly affected by Harvey in terms of physical damage. I didn't suffer damage from Harvey physically but because of the disruption to many of my clients, real estate agents and brokers, and ultimately the disruption to real estate sellers, the real estate market dropped for a couple or several months. There was a significant drop in listings because of damage to properties, but also because all the parties were trying to figure out things and dealing with a great deal of uncertainty. Hopefully everyone is able to get on their feet quickly from Florence, but during this early time it's very important for people and businesses to reach out and help others that weren't so fortunate. People are really hurting now and even if you weren't affected in terms of lost or damaged property, you will benefit greatly yourself by reaching out and dedicating this time where, frankly, you're probably not going to be doing a bang up business anyways, by helping your neighbors and friends. Humans are generally wired to come together and be communal, especially in times like this, and I promise you will benefit your community and you'll benefit yourself by reaching out and helping out your neighborhood as much as possible. You may not grow in a business sense, but your heart will grow from the experience when you reach out and help. Business will spring back in a month or two and while you're otherwise twiddling your thumbs waiting for it to come back, get out and help. It's a miracle, but it really is better to give than to receive. Your heart will grow and you'll sleep much better at night during this time than you otherwise would. 

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on August 10, 2018
I usually try to respond immediately so that I don't let the communication fall through the cracks. When things are extremely busy during the day I usually try to at least get a text or an email and answer the call before going to sleep  (more) I usually try to respond immediately so that I don't let the communication fall through the cracks. When things are extremely busy during the day I usually try to at least get a text or an email and answer the call before going to sleep 

Carl from TourFactory Houston Answered this on March 04, 2018
It's a good question. You've got me thinking now. I'd suggest selling it off and convert the cash to an investment that produces passive income such as real estate rentals or vacation rentals or such. Or just reduce your living expenses to the bare bones and live off SS and any proceeds from the... (more) It's a good question. You've got me thinking now. I'd suggest selling it off and convert the cash to an investment that produces passive income such as real estate rentals or vacation rentals or such. Or just reduce your living expenses to the bare bones and live off SS and any proceeds from the sale of your old home. Your plan of converting old home to apts sounds good but don't spend too much on the conversion otherwise you might just break even. You need cash flow. Appreciation is good but lenders aren't kind if you don't have an income and you need to take out cash for living expenses. You'd eventually have to sell

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