Just as you would pay special attention to your grooming and attire in the days leading up to a new headshot or important photo, the same care needs to be taken with the architectural photography of your building, inside and out. The difference is one of scale, with a building needing the attention of you, your staff, and the architectural photographer. Learn how to get the perfect photo session.
Perform a Walkthrough with Your Photographer
The most critical step is to first talk with your photographer and have them tour the site with you. Make it clear what shots you’re interested in. While you’re doing this, the photographer will be looking for light sources, finding flaws, meeting key staff members, and giving you the checklist of things to do before the shoot. Learn more in The Importance of the Walkthrough in Architectural Photography blog.
Perform a Spot Check of Exterior and Interior Lighting
One of the people your photographer should want to meet is those responsible for lighting control in the building. Replacing burnt-out bulbs and having quick access to changing the interior and exterior lighting is vital – for both building interiors and for truly beautify exterior shots in twilight or night.
Cleaning Up and Staging Areas and Rooms
Make sure in the days leading up to the shoot that staff clean up any places your photographers will be shooting, from tidying workstations to staging rooms. On the day of the shoot, think about having eyesores like garbage bins and dumpsters removed, and to have any boxes or other clutter packed
Identify Areas That Need to Be Shoot Around or Fixed in Post
During the walkthrough, your photographer will be looking for issues. These are often items or flaws that will distract from the story you’re both trying to tell, such as asphalt cracks or places that are under construction or landscaping. The photographer will decide what can be shot around and what will have to be fixed in post-processing.
In the above image pair, you can see the before and after shots. I shot several original images on this very busy street and layered them to remove the cars/trucks. Then I fixed the missing landscaping and removed the telephone pole on the left.
Working with a professional photographer that has this focus to detail will pay dividends in the final work. If you’re looking for a specialist in architectural photography in the Boston area, please consider reaching out to Shupe Studios.