Architectural Photography Considerations

To assist our architectural customers we have published a checklist below that should help as a prompt when planning both interor and exterior architectural photography. 

Architectural Interior Photography

Site Access

- Where is the location of the loading dock for unloading architectural photography equipment ? Are there restricted 

  hours?
- Will the architectural photographer have access to all areas or will he or she need keys to specific areas?
- Will the architectural photography crew and equipment be able to get in and/or out after hours?
- Will a floor plan of the building be provided for architectural photography?
- Will elevators be working?
- Will all alarms be off when we attend to shoot your architectural photography?
- Is security clearance required?
- Is there a secured place to store equipment during multiple-day architectural photography assignments?
- What is the site contact name and number?
- What are the emergency phone numbers for architectural photography assignments taking place during weekends or 
  after hours?

    

Lighting

- Does the architectural photographer need approval to adjust interior, exterior and ambient light?
- Is the lighting computer controlled?
- Are the lights controlled by motion sensors?
- Is all lighting operational and are the bulbs consistent within areas?Consistent manufacturers and even batch numbers
  of bulbs can have different colour temperature and create a distraction within your architectural photography images.
- Will spare bulbs be available for light fittings that are found to be faulty during your architectural photography shoot?
- Can lights be manually turned on/off from a circuit breaker?
- Will the architectural photographer have access to the circuit box?
- Are different types of lights (i.e., fluorescent, tungsten) on individual circuits?
- Is a building engineer/electrician necessary?
- Are there windows in the space? Is there a way to control ambient light?

 

    

Furniture, Fixtures, etc.

- Are there any decorations or signage that needs to be removed before architectural photography - seasonal

  decorations can restrict the usage of your images?
- Can desks be rearranged without permission?
- Will props or actors (i.e. flowers, objects, people) be necessary?
- Does the photographer have permission to turn on computer screens, television monitors and AV equipment?
    
    

Miscellaneous

- Are the owner/occupants expecting the photographer and crew? Do they understand the duration of the assignment?
- Will a memo be sent to employees/tenants regarding cleanup and the assignment date and time?
- Is there a cleaning crew in the space after hours? Can they work around the photographer?
- Does the photographer have access to ladders and dollies?
- Does the photographer have access to vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies?
- Will the air-conditioning or heat be off during the assignment or do special arrangements need to be made?
- Are certificates of insurance required?
- Is any union permission required?

 

    

      
Exterior Architectural Photography

Structure

- Will a site plan be provided?
- Is there any construction activity or are there window washers on the building?
- Is any facility maintenance scheduled?
- Will the interior of the building be accessible to adjust window blinds and lights?#

 

    

 

Property

- Are there any decorations or signage that needs to be removed before your architectural photography?
- Is the landscaping complete and mature?
- Are there any fountains and can the architectural photographer control them?
- Are there any computer-operated sprinkler systems and can the photographer control them?
- Will the photographer have access to exterior lighting and signage?
- Are lights controlled by timers or photo sensors? Can they be manually controlled?
- Has a client representative checked the site recently for bins, scaffolding, window stickers, fences, debris and -
  graffiti?

    

 

Miscellaneous

- Is there security that needs to be notified about the assignment?
- Is parking available for photography crew?
- Can customer or tenant parking be controlled?