WGAN-TV | Intro to GIRAFFE360 for Residential Real Estate Agents and Brokers with GIRAFFE360 Senior Account Executive Andrew Congleton (@AndrewCongleton) | Aired: Thursday, 23 September 2021 | Episode: #118

GIRAFFE360 Tour courtesy of GIRAFFE360


Giraffe360 Unveils PRO LiDAR Camera, Exclusive Photographer Partner Program, and May 6 Webinar for U.S. Market

In a landmark shift in strategy, Giraffe360 Founder and CEO Mikus Opelts announced Tuesday (29 April 2025) the launch of the Giraffe360 Photographer Partner Program, timed with the upcoming release of the company’s first camera built specifically for professional real estate photographers: likely named the Giraffe360 PRO.

The new LiDAR-based scanner is slated to debut in June 2025, alongside an exclusivity-based business model that positions Giraffe360’s partners to claim ZIP-code-defined territories.

This move represents a major evolution for Giraffe360, which until now has primarily catered to real estate agents directly.

With more than 10,000 active agents currently using Giraffe360’s automated camera and media platform, Opelts explained that the company is now doubling down on a community-based, pro-first approach. “I’m thrilled to announce that Giraffe360 is launching a partner program for photographers,” Opelts wrote in a LinkedIn post published Tuesday, April 29th 2025, adding “We will be releasing a PRO camera in June with some groundbreaking features for real estate media creation.”

Key Announcements at a Glance

✓ New Giraffe360 PRO Camera with LiDAR Scanner — Designed for real estate photographers, shipping begins June 2025
✓ Giraffe360 Photographer Partner Program — Offers exclusive representation for a period of twelve (12) months ZIP Code exclusivity for official partners in the U.S. only [Exclusivity under this Program does not prevent other Giraffe360 Clients (e.g., real estate agents or other photographers) from independently using the Giraffe360 Service within the same ZIP codes," according to the official Giraffe360 terms of service.]
✓ Kick-Off Webinar — Free online event hosted by Mikus Opelts on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to outline the program details
✓ Official Photographer Directory — Launching with the camera release; will drive leads to ZIP-locked partners
✓ Monthly Upgrades — Giraffe360 promises shipping software updates every 30 days

A Paradigm Shift: From Agent-Driven to Photographer-Led

Since its founding, Giraffe360 has focused on giving real estate agents the tools to capture property media themselves. That approach worked: thousands of agents now use Giraffe360’s automated, robotic camera solution. But the company now believes it can grow faster — and photographers can earn more — by flipping the model. “Historically, Giraffe360 technology was designed for real estate agents,” Opelts acknowledged, says Opelts. “Now, we are taking the next step by launching a partnership with photographers based on exclusivity by ZIP code. First, available only in the USA.”

The Giraffe360 PRO Camera: Built for the Real Estate Media Creator

While few technical specs have been revealed, the Giraffe360 PRO Camera will feature LiDAR-based scanning, with AI-enhanced automation to streamline:

✓ High-resolution photography
✓ Floor plan generation
✓ 3D virtual tours
✓ Cloud-based delivery of assets

Giraffe360 emphasizes that the new camera is robotic and AI-driven, offering a seamless end-to-end workflow with monthly improvements. According to Opelts: “We push technological boundaries by continuously advancing from LiDAR lasers to sophisticated AI models, ensuring our partners stay ahead of the competition. Shipping upgrades every 30 days.”

Exclusive Territories: Claiming ZIP Codes, Capturing Leads

What makes this program stand out is its ZIP Code exclusivity model. For each active Giraffe360 PRO camera owned, a photographer can claim up to two ZIP codes — becoming the Official Giraffe360 Photographer in that area.

This entitles real estate photographers to:

✓ Exclusive inbound leads from Giraffe360’s marketing efforts
✓ Priority listing in a public directory launching with the Giraffe360 PRO Camera
✓ Territorial protection — no overlap with other partners in their claimed ZIPs

“ZIP Codes play a key role as they serve as the basis for potential lead distribution,” Opelts explained.

“Service inquiries from real estate agents or enterprise clients will be routed to Giraffe360 Official Photographers Program based on their assigned ZIP codes.”

Giraffe360’s Market Gap Strategy: Serving the Underserved

The strategic rationale behind the program is compelling. Giraffe360’s research shows that:

✓ 70% of real estate photographers only offer photography
✓ 83% of property listings lack floor plans
✓ 95% do not feature virtual tours

Yet, 67% of buyers say they want floor plans, and 58% desire virtual tours.

“Considering consumer demand and agent marketing requirements, there is a significant gap in the market that Giraffe360 aims to fill,” said Opelts.

By bundling floor plans, photography, and virtual tours into one smooth process — using the new Giraffe360 PRO camera — Giraffe360 is offering photographers a competitive advantage in a media-saturated marketplace.

Free Kick-Off Webinar – Tuesday, May 6, 2025

To launch the Photographer Partner Program, Giraffe360 will host a free online webinar on Tuesday, May 6, where Mikus Opelts will present the full terms, benefits, and application process.

📍 Register Here.

The free online Giraffe360 webinar is expected to cover:

✓ How the ZIP code exclusivity model works
✓ What it takes to become an Official Giraffe360 Photographer
✓ Camera feature highlights and media samples
✓ Program pricing, terms, and support structure

Learn More

✓ Giraffe360 Photography Program Overview
✓ Giraffe360 Photographer Partner Program Terms of Service
✓ Free Giraffe360 Photographer Partner Program Webinar at 11 am ET on Tuesday, 6 May 2025
✓ Giraffe360 Website

With this announcement, Giraffe360 positions itself as a major contender in the pro real estate photography and digital twin ecosystem — and a potential disruptor to existing players. By appealing directly to photographers, offering territorial exclusivity, and developing new hardware with built-in AI, the company is betting that real estate media services are most powerful when put in the hands of dedicated professionals.

“We value professionals who serve their communities and embrace cutting-edge technology to elevate their craft,” Opelts concluded. “By partnering with dedicated photographers, we aim to revolutionize real estate media together.”

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We Get Around Network Forum Members: Are you considering applying to become a Giraffe360 Photographer Partner? Do you think this program addresses the needs of the real estate media industry? Share your thoughts below.