How Do You Plan an Architectural Photography Shoot?
Planning an architectural photography shoot involves much more than simply showing up with a camera. It requires careful coordination with the client, attention to the location’s unique aspects, and strategic scheduling to capture the best lighting. With extensive experience working in Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool, I follow a structured approach to ensure every project is a success.
1. Initial Consultation with the Client
The first step is understanding the client’s goals. I discuss the key elements they want to highlight, whether it’s architectural details, material finishes, or how the space interacts with its surroundings.
It’s also important to know what they are being used for it may be website, brochure, banners, social media all of which may need different image ratios to fit the final design. It’s quite common that all images on a company website have the same ratio so knowing this before hand can help with your composition to ensure that each image looks perfect but equally there may be other areas where they need a wide slim image for a website banner or square images for a blog or social post. If you get a handle on this beforehand it will make the clients life a lot easier and that what it’s all about.
2. Site Visit and Preparation
Whenever possible, I conduct a site visit beforehand to assess angles, light conditions, and any potential challenges. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, I research the location thoroughly. Now research can be google earth and street view as well as asking to be sent renders , drawings or any site images that have been taken to give you an idea of what to expect and help you formulate a shot list. It’s always good to ask the client if there are any specific element, angles etc that are a must have. For example there may be a unique engineering solution or design element, a view from the building or particular rooms which need more images. Every bit of information you can get prior to a shoot will help you get exactly what is needed and more.
3. Choosing the Right Time for the Shoot
Lighting plays a crucial role in architectural photography. I schedule the shoot at a time when natural light enhances the design, often opting for early morning, late afternoon, or twilight for the best effect.
Weather conditions are another concern so I will always check weather apps to check, if it’s not suitable then perhaps another day can be arranged but sometimes this isn’t possible. On a recent shoot it had to be on a specific day, it would be a mixture of internal and external shots. Checking the weather it was going to be grey, raining but with a small window of bright sunshine around 1pm so I planned around this. It was actually snowing when I arrived, not heavily but didn’t bode well. I started with interiors and kept an eye on the weather and as predicted the sun came out at the right time and was in the right position for the main facade so I got my external and drone photography done just as the rain started again. It’s small things like this that help you organise and get the right opportunities for photography, with a bit of luck thrown in.
4. Coordinating for Optimal Conditions
For commercial spaces or residential developments, it’s important to ensure the space is clean, staged, and free from obstructions. Again a pre planning exercise so the client can get the right areas in tip top shape before you arrive. Sometimes this might be happening while you are there so always a good idea to meet the cleaning or site team to make sure that you know when areas will be clean or cleared. With recently completed sites there are often bits and pieces lying around, a tape measure, dishwasher instructions, brooms and spare fittings. Handy if these are gone before you get there but always worth a good look at the space before you start to find anything that might distract. A common one I have found is tags hanging from new furnature, at first glance a room looks perfect with lots of nice new chairs then you notice a white label usually with a flame retardant symbol hanging from the base of a couple of chairs or the remnant plastic tag sticking out of a chairs arm. Always good to just have a quick sweep for labels on chairs, lamps as well as hiding cables and turning lampshades so the seam is out of shot. The devils in the detail.
5. Post-Shoot Processing and Delivery
After capturing al of the images, I spend time editing the best shots for the collection, remove distractions, correct colors and refine compositions. This can take as long as the shoot or longer sometimes but it’s time well spent. I ensure the final images are high-quality, properly formatted and ready for marketing use before uploading and delivering them to the client.
A well-planned architectural photography shoot results in stunning images that help architects, developers, and designers showcase their work effectively. If you need a professional photographer for your next project in Manchester, Birmingham, or Liverpool, feel free to reach out.
+44 (0) 7714 159589