What is the relationship between Google and a Trusted Photographer?

Google trains and certifies independent photographers and photography agencies to perform its "Business View" photo shoots with qualified professional equipment. Every Merchant has become a Trusted Photographer/Agency through Google, by meeting the appropriate standards and guidelines created by Google. Only agencies and photographers who maintain these standards are recognized and individually listed by Google.

How long does it usually take to complete a Business View photo shoot?

Business View photo shoots try to work with you and around your business’s schedule in order to have as minimal an impact on your business operations as possible while keeping in mind favorable lighting conditions and business hours. They are typically completed in 1-3 hours.

How long before my virtual tour shows up on Google?

After the shoot, the photos are edited and stitched together to create your virtual tour. The tour is then uploaded and available on Google's network within 10 business days usually. Various reasons it would not be up is if Google’s has identified visual material that is not allowed, or if there were errors in the photos. If this happens, a second photo shoot may have to be scheduled. Full or partial re-shoots to correct these situations are done at no extra charge.

Which areas of my business will be photographed?

You can tell us exactly what you want to highlight and what you do not want the public to see. Typically if it is an area of your business that customers, or clients have access to when they are in your business, it should be a part of the tour. Offices, worker only areas, storage areas, and bathrooms are typically not part of the tour. The photographer can discuss these specifics before or during the shoot.

What CANNOT be photographed for the Business View tour?

The following types of subjects cannot appear in any photos taken for the tour.

• illegal content
• violations of copyright
• trademark infringement
• pornography or nudity
• incitement of violence
• promotions of hate
• invasion of privacy
• drugs or drug paraphernalia

What should I do to prepare my business location for the photo shoot?

• Your business should look like it does when it is open to the general public.
• Clean windows as needed, especially ones in the main entrance-way area where it can catch the light and look dirty in a photograph.
• Vacuum and Dust as needed where it would be visible from an eye-level position in general.
• Put all personal and personally identifiable items out of site as well as anything else that you don't want photographed and made publicly viewable.
• Arrange merchandise, artwork, feature areas, public displays, seasonal decorations, etc as you want them to be captured.

What measures are in place to ensure privacy?

The photographer will alert customers and employees before a photo is taken, to uphold their privacy. Google’s policy states that all faces visible in the tour must be blurred out. Faces in the panoramic imagery are processed by Google's state-of-the-art facial recognition technology and then again manually verified by the Trusted Photographer for each photograph.

Can there be customers or employees present during the photo shoot?

People CAN be visible during the virtual tour portion of the photo shoot but their faces will be blurred out during the post-shoot image processing. Also it is important to note that people and objects that are moving during the shoot can cause varying degrees of blurs and streaks in the finished tour. Many businesses prefer when possible to perform the photo shoot when the business can be shown in a "pristine state". Also note that the camera hardware itself is tripod mounted and will be occupying and blocking  primary locations in the business for a short period of time at each tour point.

What time of day should you schedule the photo shoot?

A Business View photo shoot can be scheduled at any time of the day. The best times are either before your store opens or after the business day. The photo shoot can be be scheduled at night as well if you think that better captures the mood and ambience of your business; Additional costs and considerations may apply.

Can the business owner upload additional pictures and information?

There is a portion of the Virtual Tour known as Point-of-Interest (POI) shots. These are unique, interesting and important details about your business, done with regular photos. You, as the owner of your business and the business’s Google Place Page, can upload as many pictures as you want including those with faces visible. Just make sure they are interesting and worthwhile to the searcher and your business.

What happens if the photographer damages something during the photo shoot?

Google requires all Trusted Photographers to maintain and show proof of several types of insurance policies in order to provide services.

• Comprehensive General Liability Insurance
• Personal Health Insurance
• Automobile Insurance

Will Google contact you directly about the photo shoot?

Google will not contact you before or during the photo shoot. Those arrangments are between the business and the photographer. Google may contact you at some point after the shoot for quality control reasons, questions about the photographer, and user satisfaction surveys. You have no obligation at all to participate if you do not want to.

How will I be billed for the photo shoot?

Generally, payment for the photo shoot is due after the shoot is completed while the photographer is on-site at your location. You will receive a sales receipt by email from the photographer shortly after.