Construction photography is the art of capturing the various stages of construction process. It involves photography, videography, and 3D visualization of construction sites to communicate the project’s progress to project stakeholders like clients, construction companies, and media.
With a rapidly expanding construction industry and an increasing demand for documentation of projects, there is a huge demand for construction photography. Besides documentation for project completion, construction photographers are also expected to create photography assets that can help project managers evaluate construction progress.
If you are looking to get into construction photography, you need to have great photography skills and a thorough knowledge of your project site. This blog will cover all you need to know about construction photography – from what it is and how it affects us to who needs it most.
Construction Photography Philosophy
Construction photography is a subgenre of architectural photography that captures photos of buildings, engineering, civil, urban design, and infrastructure projects. Its main purpose is to provide aesthetically pleasing and accurate representations of the works. It is useful for marketing and advertising visual aesthetics of developments.
Building a construction photography portfolio starts with a well-planned project timeline and a plan for capturing before and after photos. The project timeline includes the construction time, planning time, site inspection time, photography time, post-processing time, and editing time. This provides a clear view of the project’s progress from start to finish. Also essential are well-defined photography angles and poses. For example, don’t just shoot straight-on photos of construction sites; try taking photos from above or below to give a greater perspective on the project’s completion.
Also vital are captivating shots of construction materials and equipment in use. Capture the beauty of the site as well as the inner workings of construction projects with clean and crisp photos that clearly show details such as lighting fixtures and scaffolding.
Types of Construction Photography
Construction photography encompasses a wide range of subjects, including photos of construction workers, construction sites, heavy machinery, civil earth moving works, contractor engagement, project milestones and record-keeping in line with heritage requirements. The industry has seen a surge in photography related to construction over the past few years.
A variety of photography styles is used in construction projects. Factory or warehouse production lines and systems are popular photography subjects. These can include photos of the project being built from start to finish. Other interesting photography subjects include exterior features like lighthouses and bridges. Photographs of the project as it is nearing completion can be useful promotional tools for clients.
Construction photography is essential for advertising project visual aesthetics and promoting projects. A professional photographer can capture photos that convey the essence of a construction project and help clients make good decisions about their investments.
Who Do Construction Photographers Work For?
A construction photographer works for a variety of organizations and clients. The job description varies, but typically a construction photography professional will work for architects, consultants, developers, building owners, marketing companies, and manufacturers of products and materials involved in construction photography. They also provide photography services for construction projects to help with marketing and PR activities of the project.
Construction photography is a specialized field. It requires experience and knowledge about construction photography. Hence, it is unlikely that a wedding photographer or other photographer without experience in construction photography would be able to provide high-quality photographs for a construction project.
A construction photographer’s job involves capturing images of construction sites accurately and efficiently for use in architectural documentation as well as marketing materials. The job entails traveling to site locations and using professional photography gear to capture stunning photos of the project site.
A construction photographer usually has a thorough knowledge of different software programs used in photography to ensure that they are able to capture the perfect photo at any given time.
What to look for in a good construction photographer
When it comes to selecting a construction photography professional, there are a few factors you should consider. Firstly, look for a photographer with experience in construction photography. This will help ensure that the photos are of high quality and reflect the project’s progress accurately. Also, consider the site location when shooting. The scene should be dynamic and capture the essence of the project. Finally, invest in a construction photographer to attract more attention to your project and create great imagery that captures its uniqueness and beauty. To keep photos consistent in quality and composition, use a stable camera and keep shooting intervals consistent. Also, include people in some shots to show off the project’s progress and narrative. By taking these steps, you can create stunning construction photography that highlights your project’s beauty and importance.
How to negotiate a good price with a construction photographer
A construction photographer is a vital part of any project and can play a significant role in making the project successful. It’s essential to get to know your needs and wants before starting the project. This will help narrow down your photography preferences and make an informed decision on the type of shots you want to capture.
Shooting a project involves many details, so it’s important to discuss your photography goals and expectations during the planning stage. Also, it helps to agree on a price point and timeline for the project. As a general guideline, construction photography shoot for 4-6 hours per day, with most projects lasting between 2-3 days.
You’d need to be flexible with shooting schedules and be prepared to make changes as needed. Making sure you have all necessary licenses and permits in place is also important before starting the project.
Conclusion
Real estate photography is all about capturing the essence of a property in various lighting conditions. However, construction photography is all about the construction site. A project manager or architect needs photos for marketing materials, construction documentation, and project site safety. With that said, getting the right construction photographer is essential for your project’s success. If you have something to add to the above discussion, feel free to comment below. We would love to hear from you!