Guide to a Successful Architectural Photoshoot

Architects and Designers invest a lot of time and money in capturing images of their projects. Understanding the value these images have for (them and their teams) their marketing teams, is key. Photographs are instrumental in pursuing their next contract, publication, award entries, or even social media post.

For me, the secret behind a successful photoshoot is a combination of creativity, technique, teamwork, and thoughtful planning. This is an insight into how I approach and coordinate my photoshoots.

I usually divide the process into 5 interconnected and important steps

Creative Brief & Walkthrough
Parties & Users
Estimate & Terms
Post-production and delivery
Case studies – Photoshoot day

The Creative Brief and Walkthrough

Understanding the clients’ direction, objectives and input is a key piece of the puzzle.

I like to talk to the client to get a better sense of the project, understand what they are trying to achieve, the particulars aspects of the project, their challenges, and their successes.

Briefs come in different shapes and forms.

An architect might have a marked site plan with rough angles.

A restaurant designer can have renderings to show the before and after.

An interior designer generally likes to generate the shot list while walking through the house.

When possible walking the space is a key component of the briefing process as it allows me to get a feeling of the space. While going through the property with the project manager/ architect/ designer, etc is where I start to get the inspiration, understand the light, the aspirations of the clients and last but not least I also understand the possibilities and challenges of the space.

This process narrows down the client’s and user’s specific needs. I refer to users because there might be several users with different needs for different applications.

During this walkthrough process, I’m able to answer any questions. Here are some that I find very helpful.

Security & Access

How do you access the property
Is there security on site
Where are the controls for the lights
Are there tenants to talk to
Do we need additional insurance
Who will represent the client during the shoot

Equipment & Crew

Assistants, how many do I need
What kind of equipment would I need
Do we need a lift for a higher advantage points
Storage room for equipment.
Drone possibilities

Scheduling

What times of the day are best
Dates, not so good dates
How long will the shoot take
Timeline to follow

Styling

Is the property ready
Landscaping, ready
Do we need a stylist
Do we need to move furniture around
Cleaning requests, windows, decks, etc
Building Maintenance, light bulbs, light controls
If we are shooting a restaurant, do we need to set the tables
do we include People/ no people in the shots

Answering all these questions, help me be better prepared for the photoshoot. This way, once I am there, I can concentrate on what’s really important… Capturing incredible images.

miami architectural photographer Moris Moreno — Miami Cancer Institute – ZGF Architects

Location

Another important part of the walkthrough is to learn where is the project located and it’s orientation. For me this is one most important elements of the walkthrough, understanding the light and nature around it.

This is vital, as I use the light to bring texture, depth, and life to any project indoors or outdoors. Light creates mood and character.

Architects and designers spend a lot of time studying the lights, the windows, the positioning of the building, the materials, and the colors & textures. As a photographer, I like to take advantage of that. Understanding the light allows me to successfully tell a 2D story of a 3D space.

Parties and Users

As I mentioned before this is a team effort where everyone involved needs to be on board. Here is where the Usage rights come in handy. There are many key players in a project: the architect, interior designer, engineers, contractors, homeowner, etc. who probably will like to use the images. By including them in the initial bid everyone can benefit from splitting the costs of the photoshoot. It reduces the cost per user and makes sure everyone is involved and informed.

There are cases where the parties involved are part of the initial bid, other times they want to buy the rights after the shoot or simply want to buy individual images. In either case, having everyone involved helps ensure the success of the shoot.

Estimate and terms

Once all the questions have been answered, the angles selected and the users aligned. I create an estimate that will detail the project and fees.

My standard licensing agreement includes at least 10 years of usage rights for the following: website, social media, editorial, corporate promotion, trade competitions, trade magazines, and trade shows.

Any other use of the images by the client or additional third party shall require a separate license.

Post-production and Delivery

Every project is unique and requires a distinctive post-production process. During my photoshoots, I think ahead of what’s needed, so when I’m in front of the computer, all the elements (the windows, sky, the highlights, etc) are ready to compose the final image.

Almost everything is possible to photoshop, but there is nothing like a quick onsite cleanup or furniture tweak that can save a lot of time and money in post.

I take the time to compose every image to make it great in camera so the post-production work is more about enhancing than correcting.

Once the shoot takes place, I provide the client with a secure proof web gallery for image selection and comments.

Depending on the project, I generally take around 2-3 weeks to deliver the final edited images via a digital link for direct download.