Preparing your Design for Photography

Architecture is a visual and creative medium best showcased with engaging photography. Before creating beautiful images of your design much preparation has to happen. The following tips will help you and your photographer eliminate surprises, control costs, and allow the creative juices flow.

Eight tips before you start Photographing

• It is important for the architect to walk the site with the photographer before the day of photographing your newly completed design.
• The building owner should also be available for the walk through before possible.
• The Architect should have a representative onsite the day the photographer is creating images to handle any problems quickly.
• The building owner should be available or a representative of the building owner to help eliminate issues before they happen.
• Other general issues include: parking for photographer and his crew.
• How will the crew move their equipment onsite?
• Security clearances, which crew members need them.
• Who is responsible to notify security?

 Six easy steps for Great Exterior Photographs

• Make sure the landscaping is complete and looking its’ best. You may need to bring in a landscape crew a day or two before to perk up the beds and plant some fresh flowers to add color.
• Have the windows washed the day before.
• Parking lots cleaned.
• Make arrangements to control parking the day of the shot.
• Make sure all construction is completed and debris removed.
• Will the photographer have access into the building to turn on/off lights, adjust blinds/curtains?

Completing these tips will allow the photographer to work quickly eliminate delays, control costs, and to focus on creating great images to showcase your beautiful designs.

 Five Tips for Beautiful Interior Photography

• Once the photographer moves inside the interiors will need to be prepared much like the exteriors.
• Having the interior designer on site to style the rooms scheduled for photography allows the project to move quickly.
• Have a cleaning crew prepare areas scheduled for photography before the scheduled day for photography
• Will the photographer and his crew have permission to remove decorations, furniture, rearrange furniture, and turn on/off computers, TVs, and electronic devices?
• If they do not have permission a representative needs to be on site to take care of these items.

Seeing The Light with Seven Easy Tips

• Addressing lighting before the photographer arrives allows for creative use of the building’s lighting design.
• Will the photographer be able to adjust lighting both indoors and outdoors?
• Is the lighting computer controlled?
• Do motion sensors control the lighting?
• Will the photographer need to bring extra light bulbs?
• Will the photographer have access to the circuit panel?
• And most important is all the lighting working as specified in the architect’s plans?

The Goal when hiring a professional architectural photographer is to visually showcase your award winning project to a global audience. Preparing ahead of time with these tips will allow the photography phase of your completed design to move along smoothly, without delays, control costs, and most importantly create beautiful imagery showcasing your award winning design.