Photographer helps businesses go beyond Google Street View

A local photographer is helping businesses go beyond Google Street View by providing their customers 360-degree virtual interior tours.

It’s part of a feature Google has launched called Google Business View.

“A lot of boutiques and businesses are closing because more people are shopping online,” said Cynthia Naftzger, owner of Cynthia Louise Boutique in Old Town Pocatello.

To keep up with consumers’ shopping habits, Naftzger enlisted the help of Google-certified photographer Kris Burke to photograph the inside of her business and add it to Google Business View.

“A Google-trusted photographer picks up where the Street View cars left off by taking the photography inside of businesses,” said Burke.

Burke has already photographed a number of businesses in Idaho Falls and other parts of eastern Idaho. Naftzger’s boutique will be the first in Pocatello to have a Business View tour.

The whole process can take up to two hours depending on the size of the business. Shoots start at $250, but Burke said it’s well worth the money.

“The main thing is it’ll make her listing stand out on Google,” said Burke.

“Now they’ll be able to see my store all over the world online and say, ‘Oh, I want that dress,’ or ‘I want those corral boots,'” said Naftzger.

Burke is offering her services on her website.