The Wildest Things I’ve Seen During Real Estate Shoots (Western Slope Edition)

The Wildest Things I’ve Seen During Real Estate Shoots (Western Slope Edition)

Real estate photography looks polished when you see the final images…
but behind the scenes?
That’s where the real entertainment happens.

After photographing hundreds of Western Slope homes—mountain cabins, farms, modern new builds, century-old Victorians—I’ve seen just about everything.
Here are a few of the wildest, funniest, most “did-that-really-just-happen?” moments from the field.

Names withheld to protect innocent agents. (And guilty pets.)

The Time a Goat Tried to Follow Me Into the House

Hotchkiss. Early morning.
I’m photographing a sweet hobby-farm listing.
The sellers had already warned me:

“The goats are friendly.”
Translation: overly attached.

I step onto the porch, turn around, and one goat is halfway through the front door, staring at me like he’s ready for his closeup.

→ Photographing Acreage & Hobby Farms on the Western Slope

The Wind Gust That Yeeted a Porch Chair Mid-Shot

Ridgway is beautiful…
Ridgway wind, however, is not.

I had just framed a beautiful shot of a new build’s deck with mountain views—click—and a sudden gust sent a chair into another ZIP code.

I now call this “the Ridgway special.”

The Alarm That Owner “Forgot” to Turn Off

Ouray Victorian home.
I walk in, lights go on, and suddenly the house begins screaming.

Police showed up.
Explaining real estate photography to them was… humbling.

Agents:
If your sellers have alarm systems, I beg you—disable them.

The Snow Day That Turned Into a Comedy Sketch

Cimarron winter shoots require commitment.
One time, I waded through knee-deep powder, snowshoes and all, only to find:

• a buried walkway

• a roof avalanche waiting to happen

• a cheerful seller in shorts

High-country listings are unforgettable.

→ Photographing Snow-Country Cabins: Setting Expectations for Cimarron

The “Quick Declutter” That Turned Into a Household Sprint

Montrose. A beautiful home.
But, like many families, the sellers underestimated “prep for photos.”

As soon as I walked in, the agent yelled:

“Everyone grab something and run!”

Within 45 seconds, I watched a family hide an entire house worth of daily life in:

• closets

• cars

• under beds

• behind curtains

Magic.

The Cat Who Photobombed Every. Single. Shot.

Montrose County.
This cat had one mission: be the star.

• kitchen shot? cat

• dining room? cat

• exterior? cat

• drone launch? cat sitting directly under the drone like a dare

He now lives rent-free in my memory, and I can tell you where he was edited from every photo. There were a couple photos that I just left him there, unedited, to show the character that owned the house!

Why I Love These Wild Moments

Truth is, these chaotic moments are part of what makes photographing the Western Slope so fun.
Every home has personality.
Every property has a story.
And every shoot—smooth or unexpected—helps capture the character buyers fall in love with.

Need Listing Photos From Someone Who Understands Mountain Life?

I photograph Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway, Delta, Hotchkiss, Cimarron, and the whole Western Slope.

Book your next session here: 👉 https://store.bluemoonmedias.com/storefront/

Crosslinks:

• Photographing Acreage & Hobby Farms

• Seller Prep Checklist

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