Frequently Asked Questions
Independent Virtual Tours
NOTE- We have recently set up a new stand alone virtual tour option for
Tourism businesses
General Shops & Businesses
Museums, Libraries, Schools etc.
Estate agents
Private vendors
Please contact us for more details.
Google Street View Tours
The Sign Up Process
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How can Peter Williams Photography and Google Street View Trusted help my business?
When potential customers search for your business by name on Google, they will see the images displayed directly on the search results page. These panoramic images will also be published on Google Maps and other Google properties and give customers a better sense of the layout, decor and beauty of your business interior. Using easy-to-use html snippets or Maps APIs, you can also link to these images from your own business website, attracting potential customers who visit your website too.
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What can you do that I can't do myself?
At Peter Williams Photography we are trained to take high quality photos of building interiors, accommodating for common challenges such as low lighting and tight spaces. We are also certified by Google to take pictures using fisheye lenses and rotating camera turrets (mounted on tripods) that, once uploaded to Google’s processing pipelines by us, will be transformed into 360-degree panoramic imagery and a walk through of your business. Once we upload the pictures from our cameras, Google’s processing pipelines use sophisticated image stitching, HDR, image matching and other technologies to produce these panoramic walkthroughs.
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Are there any restrictions on what type of businesses can participate?
Google do not allow Trusted Photographers to upload imagery of legal establishments. They also do not allow imagery of museums to be uploaded through the Business View program, as this imagery is supported through Google Art Project.
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What is the cost to get my business photographed?
Google expects photographers to charge a fair market value for their services and has suggested some example prices, we stay within their suggestions.
The Photo Shoot
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How can I coordinate a photo shoot?
Simple contact us by phone or email asking for a photo shoot of your business, we will discuss the options and organise a convenient time and date.
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How long will the photo shoot take?
In most cases, a photo shoot will take one to two hours, but this varies depending on the size of your business.
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What do I need to do to prepare my business ahead of the photo shoot?
You are welcome to clean and tidy things up prior to the photography session, but remember that the aim of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day.
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Which areas of my businesses will be photographed?
Photo shoots will include the main customer-facing areas of your business. You can work with the us to determine what areas of your businesses you would like to highlight, or even exclude from the shoot. Once again, the goal of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day.
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Will the photo shoot disrupt my business operations?
We know you’re running a business, and that’s why we designed photo shoots to be as non-disruptive as possible. We will work around your schedule to ensure that photos are taken at a convenient time for you and your business, you are free to stay open. Although photo shoots are non-disruptive and should not interfere with your normal business operations, it’s a good idea to let your customers know photography is in process and to avoid being in view of the camera, whenever possible.
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Will people be included in the photo shoot?
Because we want to keep the focus of the photos on the inside of your business, we aim to have as few people in the shots as possible. During the shoot, we may put up a sign and alert customers and employees about to be photographed. As the business owner it would be your responsibility to notify your employees and customers that the photo shoot is taking place.
Privacy and Legal
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What measures are in place to ensure privacy and legal compliance?
Photo shoots will exclude any areas of your businesses which you would not like to feature. In addition, we will always alert customers and employees before a photo is taken, to uphold their privacy. At any time you may request takedown of entire images through our Report a Problem link at either the bottom of the pano image, or within your Google+ Local page.
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Who from my business can give legal permission for the photo shoot?
You must have the proper authority to allow us access to the business premises to collect photographs and to subsequently allow Google to use those photographs in its products and services. People with this authority include the owner of the business or a director or manager with the designation to make those commitments on behalf of the business. Please note that by agreeing to the terms and conditions and the Google Terms of Service, before your photo shoot, you are confirming that you have the authority to make that commitment.
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Will Google be using the imagery in other applications besides Google+ Local pages?
Google may use these images in other products and services in new ways that will make your business information more useful and accessible to users. For example, further integration with Google Maps will allow customers to find these images easily from the 360-degree Street View imagery of nearby roads for many locations.
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Can I review the photos after they are taken and before they go live on my Google+ Local page?
Because the technology takes individual unstitched and unreviewed images that need considerable processing after they are uploaded by us, to produce the attractive ‘walk- through’ experience, you will not be able to review the images before they are uploaded to Google.
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Can I blur the images or take down all panoramas from my business listing?
Yes, if you see a major issue you can ask us to blur some areas in each of the panoramic images. You may also ask us to take down all panoramas. At this time we are unable to take down individual panoramas. To request blurring or takedown click on the "Report a Problem" link on the specific images where you see issues and provide the requested information. Please note that the blurring/removal process may take several days.
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Could my photos be removed for other reasons?
Yes, your photos might be removed if they are found to violate the Google photo policy. Although all business images undergo quality review before being uploaded, some photos may still be reported as inappropriate and later removed. The complete photo policy can be found here.
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If I’m not the business owner, can I request the removal of a photo?
Similar to our policy for Street View imagery, our “Report a Problem” tool enables users to request further blurring of images that feature the user in the 360-degree imagery. Users can also request the removal of images that display inappropriate content, and business owners can ask us to remove 360-degree images taken by photographers through the “Report a problem” link or the “Report inappropriate photo” link for feature photos..
Additional Questions
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Can I embed these images on my business website?
Yes, Google encourage you to share the walk-through experience of your business with your customers. To embed the 360-degree panoramas on your website, simply find the HTML snippet from a good point of view of the panoramic imagery on Google Maps, click on the “Link” button , click “customize and preview embedded map,” and then copy and paste the HTML to embed in your website. If you’re looking for even more customizability with your images, check out the Google Maps API.
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Can I have a repeat photo shoot?
Yes, you are welcome to contact us and coordinate a repeat shoot as often as you’d like, it is also likely that we will be able to provide the service at a discounted price, please ask for details at the time of booking. Many businesses who have recently renovated their interiors or that have seasonal decor will request a reshoot. Remember that you can always upload your own up-to-date photographs through Google+ Local as well.