A successful project is more than just showing up with a camera. But, the first step is SCHEDULING. Some of this should already have been established when requesting estimates. If you didn't provide the information, a diligent photographer should ask you.
Depending on the project, a lot of elements can be involved:
Scheduling - Who Should Do It?
This is completely a judgement call on your part, and several factors figure in:
- Your confidence in your photographer’s communication skills
- You relationship with either the building occupant or owner
- Whether you’re going to be in attendance at the shoot (if you’re not going to be there, why try to coordinate the other two parties?
Availability
When will the site be completed or accessible by the photographer? Sometimes there is a small window between project completion and building occupation.
Security
Are there any special security/access requirements to the site or the facility? If the site requires security clearances or coordination with facility management for access, this needs to be incorporated into your schedule as well as that of the photographer.
Time of Day/Week for Building Occupant - Is there a better time to access a site for the convenience of the facility owner/occupant as well as to achieve the images you had in mind. If you’re photographing a medical facility, is there a slower time of day or day of the week for the photographer to be present and minimize the impact on the patients/staff? Is the building only occupied during the week? If you want exteriors without vehicles in the parking lot, this is something to keep in mind because a weekend would be ideal. However, if the photographer only has access to the interior of the property during a week day, that means you may have to schedule two shoot days. If a weekend shoot works best for the building occupant, does the building owner/occupant want a representative on site during photography and what would be the additional cost?
Time of Day for Images - What time of day would be best for optimal natural lighting both interior and exterior? Are you looking at a dusk shot, but some interior shots would be best when taken in early morning sun?
Whether we are your photographer or not, if you have any questions or comments about commissioning architectural photography, please feel free to drop us a line anytime. We'd be happy to help!
Kimberly Blom-Roemer
Architectural and Aerial Photographer
R2 Photography, LLC
r2-photography.com
866-722-9506
