I’m sure they’re well matched! However, now we run our own show and have more choice about whom we swim with. Our focus is always showing things in the best light, and we’ve been lucky to work with some really impressive people.

Where do you feel video particulars have a useful role to play?

When used correctly, video makes a powerful emotional connection between a property and a potential buyer. Still photographs and a floor plan are good as far as they go but a well-made video can capture a mood, an essence of a place that, crucially, can help entice someone to find out more.

But to achieve this, the production values have to be high and the best camera people/editors etc cost good money. You also have to spend enough time on location – a full day for most houses, often two – to get the imagery just right. This level of craft unfortunately tends to rule out our videos for the average family home on grounds of cost. But we have developed a healthy client base in the prime/superprime sectors and multiple unit developments, where the marketing collateral needs to encompass lifestyle and pedigree, as well as just bricks and mortar.

As well as individual house video particulars, we also produce company profile films for developers. These typically feature a number of their properties, craftspeople at work and testimonial interviews with happy customers. One client shows their 4-minute film to potential buyers who visit their office, whilst they get them a coffee. When they come back, they tell me, the deal is done!

You can of course get cheaper property videos but you do run the risk of a bad video being worse than no video at all. Why would you use a dodgy home movie to sell your most expensive asset? In my view, you would be better off sticking with still photographs.

Could you describe some of the specific challenges of shooting property? How do you avoid working to a template?

Light can be a real challenge in many properties. However the camera technology has come a long way. We use the same kit used by the BBC Natural History Unit on shows such as Planet Earth. They cope with contrast and low light beautifully. Another common problem is that we’ve been called in too early and are dodging chippies and electricians. However, we’re pretty good at working round these problems and always have some J-Cloths and gaffer tape handy!

We don’t do templates, as every property is unique. We’ll always show a client a range of video examples from our portfolio, and discuss elements such as the pace of editing, music and branding with them. It can’t all be planned, though. Little moments of magic emerge on location. It’s capturing these that makes your property video truly bespoke.

And what about working with estate agents? UK agents are famously conservative… did they take a bit of persuading that the property film was something that would benefit them?

You’re absolutely right that estate agents are cautious. A good video makes their job a lot easier, but on the whole, they expect the developer or owner to pay for it, unless they are showcasing their own niche service or brand. An experienced agent will spot where video pays dividends and offer it accordingly, either as a white label service, or via a direct introduction.

You launched in the boom. How’s the bust been for the property film business? How’s the business changed?

There’s no doubt that being doubly exposed to both the property and marketing sectors wasn’t too pretty when the crash came. However the top-end of the market bounced back surprisingly quickly, mainly due to foreign investors. Our business also diversified to cope with the downturn. For example in the last year we have made films featuring bespoke aquariums and helicopter interiors.

What would you say have been your most challenging/interesting property shoots?

For most challenging, there’s always more pressure when you bring out the big guns, such as 25 ft camera cranes and Steadicams for sweeping tracking shots, or you arrive on location abroad and need to hit the ground running. However, if a TV career teaches you anything it’s meticulous preparation and thinking on your feet!

Most interesting are private ‘Grand Design’ projects for wealthy individuals. It’s very refreshing to see interiors that are so different to the neutral palette that developers necessarily adopt. You see some fabulous things. However discretion (and non-disclosure) prevents us from saying more!

Anything interesting planned for the near future?

We’re currently working on a video for a top Barristers’ set that’s moving out of the Inns of Court and relocating to the City. It’s a bit of a departure for us, but their new HQ consists of two rare Queen Anne buildings that happily escaped the Blitz. For me, it’s property video heaven!

To see examples of Hamish's work, go here.