Architectural photography documents the skill and passion of a designer. One of their projects can take months, even longer, to draft and design. It is an architectural photographer’s priority to capture the love and art of the designer, and is a way to record their craft. With that in mind, architectural and interiors photography is a process to ensure that the true representation of the space is captured, along with the feeling that it evokes.
Typically, a photography sessions takes a full day. However, depending on the scale of the project could only take half a day or consist of multiple days.
WHY SO LONG?
Each composition is carefully selected and modified to create the best photograph. This can consist of adjusting the camera/lens just right to capture the detail and feeling of a space, adjusting the scene in perspective to the camera, adding supplemental lighting, and much more. By attentively crafting the image we can guarantee a quality product; however this can mean a single image can take minutes or even an hour (or longer) to capture.
STYLING
Depending on the design firm, styling and staging in most cases is provided by the designer. In most cases, it starts before the photoshoot, ensuring that the space is prepared before the photographer arrives on location; allowing for a smooth and efficient session. Generally, photographers will do minimal styling during a shoot. Typically, a photographer will select a composition, and adjust the arrangement or anything else to compliment the scene.
WHY WOULD ANYTHING NEED TO BE ADJUSTED IF THE SPACE IS ALREADY STAGED?
Though the space may be staged and appealing to the eye, a camera can only see in a 2D plane; sometimes requiring adjustments of the scene to create an attractive photograph.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS TO THE MOVED ARRANGEMENTS?
We will always do our best to place everything back to it’s original location. This way we are not disturbing the flow of the property. By taking some snapshots on our phone, we will ensure that items and furniture are replaced to their original location.
DURING A SHOOT
Most photographers will arrive at the property within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time. Before setup, we will start with a full inspection of the site, and arrange any changes that need to be made. This is the time when the order of the shoot is defined; as we want to work out which areas will be best to photograph at different times. Once everything is organized, the photoshoot will commence.
WHAT SHOULD I (THE CLIENT) DO?
Some clients enjoy being apart of the photoshoot, assisting in arranging the scene, locating switches, and viewing the images as they are being created. Others make plans for the day and run errands, visit with family, go to work, etc.