We are an image-obsessed society with extremely short attention spans. Images are registered and processed in the brain automatically. A photograph that contains people in some sort of setting not only tells their story, it showcases the subject and draws the viewer in allowing them to focus on the details. Architectural photography is no different, except the subject is most often times a building. Photographing the space means a couple things such as the job is complete, the building is whole and the client is satisfied. Showcasing the client’s building is a privilege and should be treated as such. Take pride in creating the images. I suggest hiring a professional photographer that specializes in architectural photography.
Often times though, a professional photographer is not available due to schedules or budgets. As with any photography, insist on taking photos in the best light possible. Take photos at different times of the day. Shadows can create drama while sunsets create a warm inviting feel. Look for angles. Take photos from high angles and low angles getting both perspectives allows you to create more interesting images.
Don’t forget the details. Think of a wedding. There are so many details put into planning a wedding and you want to remember it all. You have photos of the cake, the rings, the flowers, the place cards and even the program. The same is true in photographing a finished building. There are hundreds of intricate details put into the design. Pay attention to lines and light and how they interact with one another. Lines draw the eye and can create an illusion of distance and depth. Look for textures of the interiors, the details of the railings and light fixtures. Take several images of the exterior as well as the interior.
Once you have your images, bring them into a photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom to finish telling the story.
