Pied kingfisher hovering
Another beautiful Image from – Noisy Pilgrims – via WordPress.
SuePH
Graphic Designer | Visual Artist
Category: Wintertime
2014/03/01
2013/10/02
Micano Home & Garden Decor Gets a Google 360 Virtual Tour
Micano Home and Garden Decor has been in business since 2003 and is located in the Midtown District of Reno Nevada. If you haven’t been there tour the shop here before you go then head down to Micano and see Sam. You will love the cultural decor, tribal art and reclaimed furniture. Sam works with many local artist’s and a large amount of Micano’s merchandise is local art from #Nevada artist’s.
“If you like rustic, tribal, funky, or organic decor come by check us out. We have lots of unique lamps, wall art, fountains, and more metal art pieces than anyone else in town. 25 percent or so of the art is from right here in Reno. Shop local, shop Micano’s.” ~Sam Sprague
Sam recently contracted SuePh Photography for a Google 360 Virtual Tour | See Inside the interactive tour below
Now that Micano has their Google 360 Virtual Tour this is how their listing comes up on Google Searches. He tells me he had a new customers come down the first day it was published. Want to engage YOUR customers? Call me for a free consultation
and learn more about Google Maps | Google Business Photos.
2013/06/20
Google Officially Launches Local Results Carousel
by Jennifer Slegg, June 19, 2013
The Google Local Carousel beta test that we saw last month is now rolling out to all U.S. users, Google announced. While the carousel has been used on tablet devices since December 2012, the carousel style results being available on a desktop is a much newer change.
With the new style of carousel listings, when a user searches for a local results, such as a restaurant or hotel, instead of the traditional vertical listings most users associate with Google search, there is now a horizontal carousel which features thumbnails, ratings, as well as the number of Google+ reviews. Users can then scroll sideways through the listings to see more results.
One of the positive things to this new carousel style for local results is that businesses who might not rank in the top two or three required to see the results above the fold, can now see their business featured very prominently, complete with an image. However, there is no guarantee that your business will be one of the ones chosen to show in the carousel. Google search ranking algorithms also apply to the listings in Google Maps in determining which businesses are featured in the carousel.
This will also mean it is that much more important for a local business to ensure that the thumbnail used for their local business listing is one that not only represents their business, but is eye-catching enough to draw searchers to their listing. Interestingly, Google’s algorithms will also decide which photo is used, although exactly what algorithms are used as unknown at this time, but they do suggest using high quality images on your Google business listing.
Google’s local carousel is only available in limited verticals at this time, with hotels, restaurants, and bars being amongst the verticals included. They do say that they are looking to expand this by experimenting with different designs and interfaces.
This is currently being rolled out in the U.S. only at this time and is only available in English.
Related articles
- Google Adds Knowledge Graph-Like Carousel For Local Results (webpronews.com)
- Google Greatly Improves Local Search Results With New Carousel Feature [Updates] (arunbabyveranakunnel.wordpress.com)
- Why the Local Carousel Make Local Branded AdWords More Important (blumenthals.com)
- Google pushes review-influenced recommendations above local organic search results in US (tnooz.com)
- Google Updates Local Search Results On Desktop With Carousel Design (techcrunch.com)
2013/05/30
Google Maps: Hello Central Park | Hello World
Google Maps in partnership with the New York Central Park Conservancy have mapped the park to allow residents and visitor alike to experience the park from any browser or mobile device. Be there, find your way and experience our world in amazing HDR photography.
The Street View crew went all around park collecting 360-degree imagery of its trails, paths, and plazas, to bring views of both famous and little-known areas of the park to your browser or mobile phone.
See how the Central Park Conservancy uses Google Maps to help shape the visitor experience today. Learn more about the park at http://www.centralparknyc.org/
To explore more Google Maps projects visit their You Tube Channel
Google Maps: Mapping the world, one project at a time.
Google Business Photos: Mapping the world, one business at a time
2013/01/12
New Year Resolutions: Make it a Great New Year!
New Year Resolutions
Make it a Great New Year!
Resolutions, some gruff at the idea while others embrace the challenge of making changes. January is the time when we think about how we are going to do things different and make positive changes in our lives. For example, lose a few extra pounds, read more, spend more quality time with our families. Whatever it is that you want to do different it is possible with a change of behavior. If you dream it, you can do it! For me, I decided to volunteer more this year. The Dolan Automotive Group gives so much back to the community, it has inspired me to volunteer and to get more involved in my community.
The big question is where do you start? Think of your passions and what really gets you excited? Remember to start small and create those attainable goals with your New Year resolutions. I chose to volunteer with the Sky Tavern Jr Ski Program. Instructing young children and instilling a love for winter sports I find to be very rewarding. My father was a volunteer with the National Ski Patrol Association when I was a kid. He volunteered every weekend with my brothers and me in tow to ski. I remember that he always had a smile on his face as I followed him all over the hill during his patrol duties. There was a great return on his investment of time that personified down to us. My brothers and I are lifelong skiers with a deep love of the sport and the outdoors in general. Now it’s my turn to give back and follow in my dad’s footsteps as I train to be an instructor this year and get certified to be volunteer ski patrol for the 2014 season.
Resolutions don’t have to be complicated! They may be as simple as being more courteous. For example inviting the person behind you in the checkout line to go ahead or perhaps holding a door open for someone. Whatever you choose to do, give it all you have and do it with passion! Have fun with your resolutions!
If you are interested in volunteering here are a few local non-profit organizations that are vital to our community
If you are interested in volunteering with Sky Tavern Jr Ski program Click Here.
If you are interested in volunteering with Reno Bike Project Click Here.
For general volunteering opportunities visit http://www.nevadavolunteers.org/programs.asp for more information.
2012/10/16
Wet Hen Cafe
Wet Hen Cafe & Catering is a quaint cafe on a prime corner in SE Reno with an amazing view on the patio. The menu features Quiche, home made soups, fresh garden to table ingredients, a dash of pastry and muffins, fresh breads and whole roasted meats. It’s an old world cafe made local. This small menu overflows with quality ingredients in their famous quiches, all their sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfast offerings [served all day] and the combos come with a cookie. The Picasso on wheat is a favorite with smokey bacon tomato, lettuce [light on the mayo please] and as the pie’ce de re’sistance is the lovely brie they lay lightly in the middle.
The Gobbler is the signature sandwich with fresh oven roasted turkey [hand pulled], cranberry sauce, lettuce and mayo.
Local honey sits on the shelf along side local artists’ work on the wall that rotates on a monthly basis as a quiet corner awaits the next guest. Wet Hen offers local drips from Blind Dog Coffee Roasters and overstuffed chairs to mull over the paper with your java. For me it’s like going to moms for breakfast as it is as comfortable and at ease. The staff is friendly and always smiling however, don’t be surprised that the dishwasher/owner is the one smiling at you from behind the counter, or the bossy owner or offspring. And how could a home town place like this not have pie! Apple pie, that’s it, just apple pie. Simple and sweet.Wet Hen is a gem hidden in east Reno with something for everyone and worth finding!
Wet Hen Cafe & Catering | Reno Nevada | 2012
Go to wethencafe.com for Full Menu and Catering
2012/08/24
Reno Mazda Kia is on the Map!
Google + Local map that is! I have gotten great feedback from my clients and customers who have seen the tours and they love it.
See for yourself what Google Business Photos and ST Photography can do for you!
Related Articles:
2012/03/19
Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual
Sky Fire II | c2011
I was happy to see this subject for the weekly photo challenge and now that I finally figured out how to grab the URL for the widget and have placed it in my sidebar I feel official. The Challenge
Sky Fire II: I chose this image because I captured some freakish clouds during an experiment in shooting for one year with only my Smart Phone. The black cloud in only part of the scene and white clouds in other parts struck me as absurdly unusual. The shape and the curves of the image painted themselves right before my camera eye. The settings on the camera allow you to Photoshop per say prior to image capture. I went through all the modes and decided on one particular setting to see what I could get. Depending on the aperture, ISO, white balance and time of day would really change the color and contrast of the subject. The final images are an array of different lighting situations and shooting techniques I used to capture the unknown and deliberate subjects as I was seeing and aspiring to at the moment.
click HERE to learn more about WP Weekly Photo Challenges.
Related articles
- “Weekly Photo Challenge: “Unusual” #3 (alicethroughthemacrolens.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual (mikehardisty.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual (dailypost.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual (judichow.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Unusual (johnmullinax.wordpress.com)
- http://smkelly8.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/weekly-photo-challenge-unusual/
SuePH 