Preserve at Rock Creek, Cashiers, NC
THE PROCESS OF ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Woeltjen Photography uses some of the best equipment in digital capture, delivering over 30 mega-byte, high resolution, master files to our clients for use in everything from banner ads to billboards. Our clients have a chance to view each exposure, on location, (in real time) through a tethered laptop computer.
The word “photography” is derived from two Greek words, meaning “light” and “stylus” or “paintbrush,” and together they mean “painting with light.” In other words, it’s an art form. When it comes to showcasing your work it is time to hire a professional photographer to capture your creativity for the world to see.
Like most professions, photography has specialties, and requires specific equipment and techniques unique to the architectural shooter. Cameras and lenses, lighting equipment, and technique combine to capture truly outstanding images. Also a photographer who doesn’t own a level isn’t an architectural photographer.
We at Woeltjen Photography hope you will choose us when looking for your professional photographic experience. We are members of AIAP (Association of Independent Architectural Photographers) and are tuned into all your photographic needs. With our years of experience and state of the art equipment, which includes supplemental lighting, we will provide you with magazine quality architectural photography.
Woeltjen Photography Shoots their Interiors with supplemental lights rather than make multiple exposure photo and fixed in Photoshop later. So, if you are seeking magazine quality architectural photography ask your photographer what do you use for lighting. If a Photographer says, “Oh, we use natural light”, then it’s time to get someone else.
Woeltjen Photography provides a professional experience in all aspects. We feel that image quality and deliverables, response time, planning, appearance, communication, transportation, packaging, turn around time, and organization will add up to the services you are buying. We invite you to look over our equipment and note our orgainzation and pride.
Photographers concur that in general, the most misunderstood aspect of hiring a photographer is that of licensing and usage rights. Legally, photographers automatically own the copyright for all images that they are commissioned to shoot, unless they specifically license or give those rights away.
This means that only those usage rights that the client negotiates for are included in the pricing. The more rights a client requires, the higher the price, and factors such as length of use, print ad placement specifics, Web use, and geographic coverage all affect usage fees.
While it is possible to find photographers who don’t manage their rights or simply give them away, that lack of management usually goes hand-in-hand with lack of experience and inferior quality.
Before you contact a photographer, consider how you will be using the pictures. Will they be used in brochures and other collateral materials, or on your website or MLS listings? Will they be used in direct mail or magazine advertisements? Your answers will help guide the negotiation process.
Working with a Pro:
First, let the photographer know your tastes. I often ask new clients to show me images from trade or consumer publications that they like so that I can tune in on the style of photography that they are looking for. Typically, my camera is directly tethered to a laptop computer, which enables my clients and I to review and proof the shots for composition and lighting while on location. This ensures that my clients get the images they are expecting.
I find that most of my clients already have a specific shot in mind. We always discuss this beforehand. I give them the shot they are asking for and then give them my interpretation. I have noticed that some clients feel uncomfortable letting me know their ideas. Woeltjen Photography is all about the creative process and how to compose that great shot together.
Communication is also key:
The most important thing that my client can do to ensure desirable results is to tell me what is important for him/her to show or feature. Unique characteristics, important details, and relationship to other elements are key for me to understand. Once I have this knowledge, I explain what the medium of photography can (or can’t) do and what to expect in the final images.
Details Matter, God is in the Details – Richard Meier, Architect.
There are lots of little things you can do to help ensure you get the best shots possible. We recommend shooting interiors that enhance natural beauty, which often involves ” staging” rooms to appear new and “neutral” in style, and more appealing to the perspective buyer as well as shooting with minimal signs of occupancy.
I like to use a “permission to photograph for any use” clause in construction contracts, as well as shooting before occupancy.
I prefer to have a property “photo-ready” when I arrive, and will provide ideas for how best to prepare the property for the shoot. This will save both of us time and money.
“We are meticulous when setting up and arranging for perfect lighting angles. Our objective is to crate the most compelling image of your property.” Often, my clients will come and help set up the shots with me to save money. Otherwise I need to hire an assistant or stylist to help establish or design a particular scene.
Conclusion:
When it comes to marketing, photographs are the first thing a potential client sees and understands I only have one chance to make a great first impression. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I would want every one of them saying something great about my business.
