CM Images provides professional photography, video, and branding strategy for landscape contractors and companies in the green industry. The goal isn’t just to create great images, but to help you present your work in a way that attracts better clients, supports your sales process, and strengthens your brand.

Most of our clients are established landscape companies that want their marketing to reflect the quality of the projects they build.

High-quality images help potential clients quickly understand the level of work you do. When your website, social media, and proposals show clear, professional photos of real projects, it builds trust and makes it easier for customers to choose you.

Many landscape companies find that strong photography helps them:

• attract higher-value projects

• shorten the sales process

• stand out from competitors

• present themselves more professionally online

Professional images become long-term marketing assets that can be used for years.

Most projects range from a few thousand dollars to several thousand depending on the scope, travel, and licensing needs.

A typical shoot may include:

• on-site photography

• drone images

• editing and delivery

• licensing for website, social media, and print use

Pricing is based on the value of the images and how they will be used, not just the number of hours on site.

By U.S. copyright law, the photographer owns the copyright to the images, and the client receives a license to use them.

Licensing allows you to use the images for marketing, advertising, social media, website, and printed materials based on the agreement. This protects both the client and the photographer and makes sure the images can be used correctly.

If you need broader usage, such as sharing images with dealers, suppliers, or partners, licensing can be expanded to allow that.

Yes. CM Images regularly travels for projects across the Midwest and throughout the United States.

Travel days and expenses are included in the estimate based on the location and scope of the shoot.

Many clients bring me in specifically because I specialize in the landscape industry and understand how to photograph outdoor projects correctly.

The best time depends on the type of project, but most shoots are scheduled when the landscape is fully established and looking its best.

In general, the second or third season after planting is the ideal time for photography.

We plan shoot timing together to make sure the project looks the way you want it represented.

Yes. Most clients don’t hire a photographer just to have nice pictures — they hire one to help them win better work.

Strong images help you:

• show your value clearly

• build trust faster

• support your sales conversations

• present your work at a higher level

In many cases, one good project that comes from better marketing can pay for the entire shoot.

Typical turnaround time is about 2–3 weeks after the shoot.

Rush delivery available for additional fee if needed for marketing deadlines, website updates, or proposals.

Most photographers can take good pictures.

What makes CM Images different is the focus on the landscape industry and the understanding of how images are used in marketing and sales.

The goal is not just to photograph your work, but to help you:

• position your company correctly

• show your value clearly

• attract better clients

• build a stronger brand

That’s why many clients work with CM Images long-term.

Weather is always part of photographing landscape projects, so we plan with some flexibility built in. If conditions aren’t right, we can often adjust the timing or reschedule to make sure the project looks the way it should.

Some clouds can actually be ideal for photography, but heavy rain, strong wind, or harsh sun may not produce the best results. The goal is always to create images that show your work at its best, not just to stick to a date on the calendar.

We keep an eye on the forecast leading up to the shoot and make the call together if changes are needed.

StoryBrand is a marketing approach that helps businesses explain what they do in a way that customers immediately understand. Instead of talking about yourself first, it focuses on the customer, the problem they have, and how your company helps solve it.

I use this framework when planning photography, video, and marketing so the images we create aren’t just nice to look at, but actually support your website, proposals, and sales process.

Clear message + strong visuals usually leads to better results.

Because most of the time the photos aren’t just for the sake of having photos. They’re being used on websites, in proposals, on social media, and in sales conversations.

A lot of landscape companies invest in photography because they want to attract better projects or present their work at a higher level. If we don’t think about how the images will be used, it’s easy to end up with photos that look good but don’t really help your marketing.

With my background in the landscape industry, I tend to look at photography as part of the bigger picture, not just the shoot itself. The goal is to create images that actually support your business.

I’m based in Michigan and do a lot of work locally around West Michigan and along the lakeshore, but I regularly travel for projects across the United States.

Many of the companies I work with have projects in multiple states, so travel is often part of the process. I’ve worked with clients throughout the Midwest and across the U.S., and some of the companies I’ve photographed for are based in Canada and the U.K., with images being used in their marketing as well.

Travel is planned ahead of time so the shoot runs smoothly and everything is included in the estimate.

Yes. While most of my work is with landscape contractors, I also work with companies in related trades such as architects, builders, excavators, and suppliers.

Any business that is involved in outdoor construction, site work, or the built environment is usually a good fit, especially if strong visuals are important for marketing and sales. The same principles apply whether the project is a landscape installation, a custom home, or a product used in construction.

Yes. Drone photography is included in most shoots when it helps show the full layout and scale of a project.

Aerial images are especially useful for large landscapes, estates, commercial work, and projects where the design is best understood from above. Drone photos can help potential clients see the full scope of your work in a way ground-level images cannot.

All drone work is done legally and in accordance with FAA regulations.

It depends on the project. In many cases we can capture both photo and video during the same shoot, but the best results usually come when they are planned separately.

Photography and video require different timing, lighting, and pacing. When both are done at the same time, it can limit what we are able to capture. For smaller projects or simple highlights, combining them can work well, but for larger marketing projects it’s often better to schedule separate shoots.

We can talk through your goals and decide which approach makes the most sense.

Video projects can start around $2,500 and go up depending on the scope of the production.

The cost is based on several factors, including the amount of filming, travel, editing time, number of locations, and how the final video will be used. A simple project highlight can often be done in a single day, while a brand story video may involve interviews, multiple shoot days, drone footage, and additional edits for social media or your website.

Because video is usually part of your marketing, we plan the project around your goals first. The estimate is built around what will help your company the most, not just the number of hours spent filming. A well-done video should be something you can use for years to support your website, proposals, and sales conversations.

A brand story video is a short film that explains who you are, what you do, and how you solve your customer’s problems.

It usually includes:

• interview with the owner or team

• footage of your work

• shots of your crew and process

• finished projects

These videos work well on your website, social media, and sales presentations because they help potential clients understand the value of your company before they ever meet you.

Yes. I work with companies of all sizes, but the most important factor isn’t how big your company is — it’s how serious you are about the quality of your work and how you present it.

Some clients are large, established landscape companies. Others are smaller companies that want to attract better projects and build a stronger brand. Professional photography usually makes the most sense when you’re ready to show your work at the level you know it deserves.

We can talk through your situation and decide if a shoot makes sense right now or if it would be better to plan for the future.