Frequently Asked Questions

Architectural interior photography of Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon in Alpharetta, GA. The shot features a symmetrical view of a modern industrial bar with a massive overhead lighting installation made of angled whitewashed wooden pallets and Edison bulbs. The foreground shows rustic wood and steel barstools, a dark gray wall, and a well-stocked back bar with white tile accents.

If you're planning an architectural or interior photography shoot, you may have questions about the process and how I work. Below are answers to the most common questions I receive from architects, designers, builders, and developers.

The difference comes down to purpose – real estate photography aims to document a building or space in order to sell or lease it quickly, while architectural or interior design photography aims to communicate the design intent and how it feels to experience in person. While real estate shoots typically take a couple of hours, a professional architectural shoot is a full-day production involving precision lighting, staging, and meticulous composition to capture the architect’s or designer’s vision.

See this blog post for more explanation.

Based as an Atlanta architectural photographer, I primarily serve the greater Atlanta area, North Georgia, and the Southeast (including Savannah, Charlotte, Nashville, and Birmingham). I regularly travel throughout the Southeastern US, and I am available for shoots across the country.

The more time the better! Most shoots can be scheduled fairly quickly, though two weeks minimum would be best. That way we have time to discuss your priorities and plan the shoot. A signed agreement and deposit are needed before the shoot as well.

A typical architectural photo shoot will be from sunrise to sunset, to get the best light for each shot.
For an interior-only photo shoot, it depends on how many spaces and final images we are doing. I typically shoot 9am-5pm but can do a half-day rate for small shoots (or do other times for early morning, late evening, or night lighting).

If you can! I love to have the architect or designer, along with the marketing contact, on site during a shoot to collaborate on the images. We talk through composition and furniture arrangement for each shot, reviewing things in real time. If you can’t be present, we’ll have a thorough conversation before the shoot to nail down the shot list, the intended style, design features, your brand identity, etc., then I can shoot on my own.

Most architecture and interior design shoots can be planned through conversations with the project team, along with drawings, renderings, and project progress photos. For large complex shoots, a scouting visit may be helpful or essential though. We can discuss your project details.

Yes, I shoot wirelessly tethered to a tablet, allowing us to collaborate without huddling around a laptop. We can also connect to your own tablet, where you can see the ‘Live View’ video and watch exactly how moving a chair or adjusting a light impacts what the camera sees.

Yes. My goal is to mimic natural light while using professional strobes and modifiers to fill in shadows and add shape and dimension. Typically I use natural light along with flashes, light shaping tools, and multiple exposures in order to be able to convey how a space actually feels.

For small shoots, I will often shoot without an assistant. For large shoots, a professional photography assistant is essential to keeping the shoot moving. An assistant will manage lighting equipment and furniture staging, allowing me to focus on photo composition, lighting arrangement, and collaborating with the client.
Absolutely. People in architectural photography can bring life to a space, offer a sense of scale, and indicate how a building is intended to be used. Typically the client sources people from their own staff (or children of staff members for school shoots), though professional models are welcome.
We monitor the forecast closely and will touch base 24–48 hours before the shoot to confirm or adjust. For exteriors, “mediocre” weather like fog or overcast skies often creates a spectacular, moody atmosphere; however, if you require direct sun, we will reschedule.
For interiors, weather is rarely an issue unless the window views are essential. If the forecast looks truly unusable, we can reschedule the shoot or just return for a few select images another day.
Yes, I do drone photos and am a FAA-licensed drone pilot with over 200 hours of flight time and thousands of flights. Sometimes the drone is the best tool for the job, to get the perfect angle of a building, to show off landscaping, or at higher elevation to show context with surroundings. I am very familiar with the FAA approval process, though several weeks notice is often required for approval for sites right next to airports.
The cost depends on a few factors – primarily the number of buildings or spaces to be photographed (determining the time needed on site), the number of final images, any special licensing needs, and whether other parties are joining a cost-share (see below for cost share info). Pricing usually consists of a creative fee for the shoot day time on site, plus a per-image editing and licensing fee. Most shoots are about $2200-$4000 with cost sharing.
Cost sharing is the most budget-friendly way to get high-end imagery. Each additional party that joins a single-party shoot adds 30% to the total cost, which can then be split among the parties.
 
For example, if a shoot for one architecture firm costs $4000, and the general contractor and building owner join, the total would be $4000 + ($4000 x 30%) + ($4000 x 30%) = $6400. Then split among the three firms is $2133, a significant savings from the original $4000.
The editing process often takes twice as long as the actual shoot, to get perfect exposure, color correction, and to remove distractions. I aim for two weeks after the shoot to have images back to the client, for their feedback and any revisions requested.
My standard post-production includes removing distractions – elements such as exit signs, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and receptacles. For extensive retouching (such as moving a light fixture or adding art work) I offer specialized editing at an hourly rate.

In contrast to real estate photography where photographers often produce 30-50 or more images in a day, in my architecture and interiors business I am often spending an hour or more on shooting one image (with choosing the perfect composition, arranging furniture and furnishings, positioning lighting and people, etc.). I typically produce 15-20 images in a day, include about 12 meticulously staged images and 3-8 quicker detail or vignette images.

As the photographer, I own the copyright and the photos. You as the client licenses the images for whatever uses you need. (My standard license includes print and online marketing use, social media, and award submissions.)
No, your license is for your firm only and anyone else wanting to use the images need to license through me. Please do not send images to other companies, but have them contact me directly. Other companies may join the shoot beforehand through the cost-sharing setup, or they may license individual images after the shoot at a higher per-image rate.

Please see these guides for how to prepare your building or home.

How to prepare for a commercial architectral photography shoot.

How to prepare your home for a residential photo shoot.

For standard portfolio work and most shoots, the designer, along with my assistant and me, can usually style the shots together. For high-end design awards or for publications, yes, a professional stylist is important.

Contact me if you’d like to discuss any other questions!