What Are Google Maps Trusted Virtual Tours?

The best way to showcase your business and engage customers online. Using the power of Google’s street view technology and our expert photography we bring your business to life in high-quality, 360-degree, interactive, images.  Creating an online open house of your businesses across Google, available 24/7 for your customers to view from their smart phone, tablet or computer.


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*Sample Google Maps Business View – Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, Nathrop, Colorado

How We Can Help

As certified Google Trusted Photographers assigned to northern and southern Colorado, our studio uses the power of Google to showcase your business using 360 panorama photography.  The Google Maps Trusted Photography program allows us to put your Google virtual tour on your Google+ & Maps page, connect you to Google street view and give you enhanced imagery link  that can show up on your Google search results – it’s an excellent way to stand out from your competition.

How We Do It

We have partnered with Google for this unique technique that showcases the interior and exterior of your business.  We use state of the art cameras, lenses, equipment and software to create a dynamic interactive experience for your customers. There are strict guidelines monitored by Google and once completed you have full access to the photos and virtual tour, which is embedded into your search results, places page, and even your website.

What You Get

Through the Google Maps Trusted project you receive between 4-30 panoramic images using HDR photography and linked together through Google’s exclusive software.  Additionally we create 10-15 detailed still images showcasing your business, services and products.  The onsite photo shoot is usually completed in 1-2 hours. All images are then edited, compiled, uploaded and passed through quality control before being published across Google.  Once created the Google virtual tour is available for you to use on your website, social media or in emails to customers.

How do Google Business Photos help my Business?

Customers searching for the products and services you offer on Google can see the enhanced imagery we provide displayed directly on your Google search results and/or on your Google+ & Maps pages. These panoramic images give customers a feel for the layout, decor and appeal of your business.

Once the shoot is completed and images are published they are your property. You can create links or embed your virtual tour on your own website, attracting potential customers who visit your website.

What is the process? Quick, Easy & Affordable

  1. Contact our studio to schedule a time for a consultation meeting, we walk through your location and quote you a competitive price for your photo shoot
  2. Our professional photo shoot usually takes one hour and is scheduled at a time convenient for your business.
  3. Usually within a week, your images and Google virtual tour are published across Google for the world to see.

Upon completion of your Google photography shoot, publication of your Google virtual tour to your satisfaction we will send you an invoice.

“For over a decade we have been using our knowledge, expertise and passion for photography to create amazing images for local businesses, couples on their wedding day, high school seniors and families. We are very excited to bring our clients a new way to showcase their business.” – Kimball

Who can create Google Maps Trusted virtual tours?

Only a Google Maps Trusted Photographer can take these images and use Google’s processing and technology to stitch the images together creating the panoramic walk through experience online.  Google Trusted Photographers are independent contractors who have been chosen trained and certified by Google to produce high quality panoramic images. Our studio’s 15+ years of professional photography experience allow us to overcome the challenges of building interiors with low lighting or tight spaces.  Coupled with our fish-eye lenses, tripods and a rotating panoramic head the camera we are able to transform the images we take into a 360-degree panoramic Google virtual tour of your business.

Where can I see the Google Maps Business View virtual tours?

Once taken, processed, quality corrected, stitched together and uploaded the images and Google virtual tour can be seen from anywhere in the world across Google or on your website, social media pages or in emails to your customers.

Where are Trusted Photographers currently active?

There are a limited number of Google Maps Trusted Photographers selected and assigned to geographic areas around the world.  Although our studio has been selected to work primarily on Colorado’s front range – Fort Collins and Colorado Springs in particular, we  have created Google virtual tours in Loveland, Longmont, Greeley, Denver, Aurora, Crested Butte, Breckenridge and across Colorado’s western slope) we can literally create Google Maps Trusted virtual tours across the country (click here to see Nantucket Bike Shop).

As a Trusted Google Photographer and a destination wedding photographer our studio is currently seeking opportunities in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston & Cape Cod Massachusetts.

Can a business anywhere in the world apply for a photo shoot?

Absolutely.  Increased interest by communities will help us decided where to expand the program.  Many business work together to schedule shoots, allowing us to do a multi-location shoot, reducing our overhead and we pass along the savings to you.

What types of businesses can participate?

Restaurants, retail stores, gyms and salons have been the business segments most interested to this point, but virtually any business could benefit.  Due to privacy issues some businesses are not eligible for Google Maps Businesses View photography, call our studio to find out if we can shoot your business.

Is the Trusted Photographer a Google employee?

Trusted Photographers are independent contractors/businesses and are not employed by Google nor are they agents of Google.  Google has selected and certified a few photographers across the country that meet Google’s standards of quality for taking professional images and experience in processing, moderating, uploading, and publishing on Google.

How much do Google Business Photos cost?

The cost of the photo shoot depends on your business size and how much detail you would like to showcase. A Google Business Photo session consists of anywhere from 4-40 panorama locations at your place of business.  Internal panorama locations can only be a maximum of 15 feet apart.  As a Google Trusted Photographer we will work with you to design an efficient map for your Google Maps Business View panoramic tour.

Each session includes:

  • A minimum of 10 product or merchandise shots detailing your business.
  • Images automatically published to Google+, Google Maps and enhanced imagery on your Google search results.
  • 4-30 Panoramic images depending on the size of your location, professionally processed images stitched together using Google technology to create your Google virtual tour.

At our initial consultation, we will quote you an exact cost before the shoot is scheduled. Discounts are available for multi-location or multi-business shoots.  Contact our studio ColoradoBusinessPhotos@gmail.com for pricing based on the number of images needed to showcase your business.

Colorado Business Photos & Colorado Business View are a division of Kimball Nelson Photography