Good architectural photography can make a big impression and help you stand out from the competition, whether you’re an architectural firm, a hospitality business, a real estate agent or anyone that wants to show off your building. But what makes good architectural photography? And how can you make sure your photos are up to par?
Today, we’ll discuss what goes into making great architectural photos, how you can use them as effective marketing for your business and tips for finding the right photographer. So whether you’re just starting out in the business world or you’re a seasoned pro, read on to learn more about the power of architectural photography!
What is architectural photography and why is it important to your business?
Architectural photography is a specialized type of photography that is used to capture the details and features of architectural structures and designs. It is often used to create or promote architectural designs, but can also be used for other purposes such as real estate or tourism marketing. Architectural photography is different from other types of photography in that it requires specialized knowledge and skills to capture the details and features of architectural structures in a way that communicates their beauty and elegance at the same time as give a true telling of their scale.
There are many reasons why architectural photography is important to businesses in the architecture, real estate, exterior design industries. Some of the most important reasons include:
1. Architectural photography helps potential clients visualize your work or brand.
One of the main purposes of architectural photography is to help potential clients visualize the architectural designs that you have created, or to help potential clients and customers get a feel for the atmosphere, feel and overall brand of your business. Good architectural photography can make a big impression and help you stand out from the competition.
2. Architectural photography builds your brand identity.
Another important purpose of architectural photography is to build your brand identity. When people see good architectural photography, they will automatically associate it with your business. This is because architectural photography requires a high level of skill and professionalism, and is often used to showcase the best of your business. By using architectural photography as part of your branding strategy, you can set yourself apart from the competition and create a strong visual identity for your business.
3. Architectural photography helps market your business to potential customers.
Finally, architectural photography can also be used to help market your business to potential customers. By publishing high-quality photos of your architectural designs, you can show potential customers what you are capable of and inspire them to contact you for their next project. In addition, by publishing photos of beautiful architectural structures from around the world, you can showcase your company’s international reach and attract potential customers from all over the world.
How to check good architectural photography
When it comes to looking to hire an architectural photographer, there are a few basic things that you should know, so that when you’re looking through portfolios you can develop a good eye for who the experts are, or even which ones you think fit your brand the most! These include:
Composition
One of the most important aspects of architectural photography is composition. When composing a photo, a photographer should make sure that they capture the architectural structure in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and tells the story of the building or design. They should use leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye towards the architectural feature that you want to highlight, or use negative space to create a more striking image.
Lighting
In order to capture the details and features of architectural structures and in fact, for almost all photography, there needs to be good lighting. This means using the right combination of natural and artificial light to create a balanced and flattering photo. It can take some work to get the right lighting, but it is worth it in order to capture beautiful architectural photos. However, you also need to bear in mind what kind of story you’d like your photographer to tell about your brand. Perhaps having dimly-lit areas, or strong contrasts will tell a better brand story for you?
Perspective
The angle from which architectural structures are photographed can make a big difference in the resulting image. A photographer will want to try to find interesting angles that show off the beauty and elegance of the architecture, while also giving a sense of its scale. A great photographer will experiment with different angles until they find one that works best for the particular structure or design that they’re photographing, rather than using a “one-size-fits-all” approach. This is one of the reasons I first got into drone photography, and now use it for much of my work!
By understanding these rules, you can seek out architectural photographers that take photos which align with your brand’s identity. Architectural photography can be used to evoke feelings in potential customers or clients. It could be an atmosphere of grandeur and luxury for those looking to buy high-end real estate, or a sense of serenity and escape for those looking for a hotel that’s famed for its sense of well-being. Keep these things in mind when commissioning architectural photographers, because their work can have a big impact on how your business is perceived by the public.
How to use architectural photos for marketing your business
When it comes to architectural photography, there are a lot of different ways to use the photos for marketing your business. Anywhere in which you’ll be using visuals to showcase your business, if you’ve got a great building, or interior design, they can give your brand that extra edge you might need against your competition! Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your architectural photos:
1. Use architectural photos on your website and social media pages.
Your website and social media pages are a great place to showcase your architectural photos. Make sure to use high-quality image that will really show off your work. You can also use photos to create posts about specific projects, or to highlight new work that you’ve done, new listings you’ve taken on or a new office your business is moving to. Ask the photographer if you can take some behind the scenes videos of them performing their work so you have more content for social media too!
2. Use architectural photos in print advertising
If you do any print advertising, make sure to use high-quality images of your building or offices. They can really help capture attention and help your advertising stand out, as well as give your brand a sense of authority, friendliness or excitement.
3. Use architectural photos in email marketing
If you use email marketing to keep potential clients and customers engaged. Make sure to include high-quality exterior and interior design photos in your email marketing campaigns. They can really help capture attention, introduce people to your work and help tell your story.
4. Use architectural photos on business cards and brochures
If you’re an architect’s firm, putting a high quality image of one of your built designs on the back of your business card is a great way to draw professional attention. If you’re in hospitality or real estate, then including some high quality imagery of the interior architecture, design and detailing can be a great way to stand out with a unique visual identity. Darwin & Wallace, a bar and restaurant group in the UK does a fantastic job of this.
Tips for finding the right architectural photographer
When looking for a photographer to capture your architectural work, hotel or bar, it is important to find someone who has a good eye for composition and knows how to use light and shadows to create striking images as detailed above. The photographer should also be able to capture the essence of your architectural design in a way that reflects your brand and the mood you are trying to set.
So how do you go about finding a photographer that not only takes great images, but is easy & professional to work with, that returns a great return on investment and has the “soft skills” everyone looks for?
Well, the best way to find a good architectural photographer is usually to ask around for referrals from colleagues or clients who have had great results with a particular photographer. Nothing beats word of mouth and it’s why I always ask my clients to leave me truthful reviews, or sing my praises whenever possible!
You can also do a Google search for architectural photographers and look for those that have local listings and great reviews on them, or if looking further afield, going through the organic listings!
Once you’ve found a few architectural photographers that you like, the next step is to set up a meeting (or call) with them and see if they are a good fit for your business. During the meeting, you’ll want to discuss what you are looking for in terms of architectural photography, as well as getting an idea of their rates and what the turnaround time for delivering the photos will be.
It’s also important to make sure that the photographer has a good understanding of your brand and the mood you’re trying to set with your architectural designs. This can usually be done by sending them some information about your company or project before the shoot.
Once you have narrowed down your choices, be sure to meet with potential photographers in person so you can get a feel for their style and see if they are a good fit for your project.
Remember, architectural photography is an investment and you want to be sure that the photographer you choose will deliver quality images that help you achieve your business goals, rather than just look pretty on Instagram!
The Return on Investment of great Architectural Photos
Architectural photography is a great way to capture the beauty and elegance of your architectural designs. Not only do good architectural photos look great on social media, but they can also help promote your business and increase brand awareness.
But what is the return on investment (ROI) of architectural photography? And how can you make sure that you get the most out of your investment?
Well, according to a study by SmugMug, architectural firms that use photography see an average boost in revenue of 20%. In addition, 93% of architectural firms say that architectural photography has helped them win more jobs.
So why is architectural photography such a valuable tool for promoting your business?
If you’re an architect, great photography can help you win more jobs – As mentioned earlier, 93% of architectural firms say that architectural photography has helped them win more jobs. In today’s competitive market, it’s important to have a strong online presence and good architectural photos are a great way to show off your work to potential clients.
Good architectural photography can help you stand out from the competition – With so many hospitality brands out there, it’s important to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Good architectural photography can do just that by showcasing your unique style.
Good architectural photography can help increase brand awareness – A strong online presence, including good quality architectural photos, can help you reach new audiences through sharing on social media.
So there you have it – using high-quality architectural photography is a great way to help market your business and set yourself apart from the competition. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you should be able to find a great architectural photographer that will help you achieve your business goals.
Architectural photography is not just about taking pictures of buildings. It’s about capturing the essence of a place, telling its story, and evoking an emotional response in viewers. Done well, architectural photography can help businesses sell products and services, showcase their work to potential clients, and build brand awareness. If you’re looking for stunning architectural images that will capture the heart and imagination of your audience, then why not check out my exterior photography portfolio or get in touch with me directly? I would be happy to discuss your project and create beautiful photographs that represent your business in the best light possible!
