How to Capture Professional Architectural Photography?
Professional architectural photography has the space to sell and catch the attention of potential clients. You've invested hundreds of thousands in beautiful interiors and photographs should do the trick.
But where to get such photos if you don't have the budget for a photographer, want photos fast or need constant content for social media? We'll show you a few tricks to take photos yourself to look like a professional.
What do you need to take the perfect architectural photo?
I'm not advocating that you can't take a good photo without the most expensive equipment. There are just limits to what kind of resulting photo you are able to make. You can't do it without a camera or a smartphone that allows you to take photos. Then if you are serious about photographing architecture you will need a tripod. And for the perfect photo, a light. If you choose to shoot with your phone, then I recommend shooting through the Lightroom app, which allows you to control the camera.
Architecture photography: mobile or camera?
The best camera is the one you have with you. Therefore, it's okay if you choose to take photos with your smartphone. The only thing you are limited by is the technical capabilities of your equipment.
Of course, a DSLR is the best choice if you are serious about shooting architecture. But for social media content, your phone is enough.
You can't do it without a plan.
Just like you can't take pictures without a camera without a plan. Think about where you want to present your photos. This will determine whether the photos will be portrait or landscape. Who your target audience is. Whether you want moody, clean or designer photos. Do you want it to be sunny or cloudy. Will your technique allow you to shoot at night, or do you prefer daytime photos. You can see what the difference in time of day is here. Do you want to convey something specific to the audience through the photo?
Choose an angle, architecture photography doesn't show everything.
The angle determines what we show the viewers and what we want to highlight. When photographing the interior, look at the room and think about what is interesting and unique about it. And show just that. You don't have to show everything, you're trying to create an atmosphere and make people feel like they want to stay or buy the space.
Less is sometimes more. Show details and structures.
Beautiful spaces are not everything. Clients are also interested in the bedding they sleep in. Show the texture of the fabric, the detail of the wallpaper. It gives the place a luxurious feel. And the viewer will feel the need to touch.
The view can be a scarecrow and a friend.
Not every space has a view of Prague Castle, you may find that you can see the courtyard from the window. Here you have to decide whether to show the view or whether it will be detrimental. Unfortunately, you may run into the limit of the technique, where you can see the inside, but the outside is not visible or vice versa. You can solve this by taking a picture of just the view. Sometimes HDR technique or a professional architectural photographer can help.
Lights can make a house a home.
Before the shoot, you need to decide whether to turn on the lights in the space or leave them off. If you want to evoke the feeling of home, lights on are a good choice. Before taking architectural photos, make sure all the bulbs are lit and that they are the same temperature. If technology allows and you are shooting at night, then leave the lights on.
Decorations will add to the liveliness.
Flowers, cushions, blankets, magazines and books. It all adds to the liveliness. But if you are shooting a hotel room, think about what to show, as it may be that the guest will then ask you for such room furnishings. For an apartment shoot, don't be afraid to add food and drinks to the table. Leave the decision to dump clothes or shoes up to you, but it must be an orderly mess.
Don't be afraid of people and animals, bring the photo to life and tell a story.
There are cases where adding people to architectural photos changes the way you look at a space. You can show how the space works or create an atmosphere. The only thing you need to watch out for is the model's permission to shoot or model release.
You can break the rules, but there are some that you can't.
Symmetry draws the eye, building lines guide the eye where we want it to go. Notice the little things and choose your angle by feel. don't be afraid to break the rules, but there are some that shouldn't be broken. Walls must be straight. If the architect has designed a straight house, you should also keep straight walls that don't cut.
A photo without post-production is like an underbaked cake.
You already have an architectural photo on your phone or camera, but before showing it to the world, you should edit it—at least using filters. For editing, I recommend Lightroom, both for mobile and PC. Check that your walls are straight. If you're not experienced in post-production, use the filters and presets available in the program and adjust them to your liking.
When should you hire a professional architectural photographer?
There are times when hiring an architectural photographer is the better choice. For example, if you need higher-resolution images, want to shoot interiors at night, require a professional approach, or simply want to save time.
You can find tips on how to choose an architectural photographer and what to look out for here.
As with everything, you need to experiment, explore, analyze, and try again. If you're unsure how to approach your photos correctly or need advice, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
