Thursday, February 28, 2008

How to Work with an Architectural Photographer

This lecture was written as for a "Lunch and Learn" presentation to the Kansas City chapter of the AIA and was presented to a full house on the 30th August 2007. The purpose of the lecture is to try and present a best case working methodology for using an architectural photographer. While this presentation might reflect my best case I would love to hear suggestions from other people on ways to improve the various steps.




Picking a Photographer:

  1. Where do I find them?
    1. Referrals are a great source; look at the work produced by other architects and ask them what their experiences have been with their photographers.
    2. Look in magazines and learn to read sideways to check the photo credits. Almost all magazines work very hard to legitimately credit the work, whether contracted by them or supplied by an architect or designer.
    3. Several Internet sites list photographers who have joined the organization as members. These lists are typically categorized to make finding individual photographers easier. Here are some listings I recommend:
      1. http://www.asmp.org/
      2. http://www.retailfix.com/awards_10Photography.cfm
      3. http://aiap.net/
  2. How do I pick them?
    1. Ultimately all photographers are artists whose style and working methodology are virtually unique. Here are some steps to evaluate those subtle differences:
      1. Review their online portfolios – please remember this is a selection of their best work. Try to get a look at an individual project in its entirety.
      2. Invite submittals for photography that’s similar to the work produced by your firm; try to think laterally as the work photographed may be in a different genre but have a similar look and feel to your project.
      3. Ask for client testimonials and see if you can contact their existing clients – this is much better than a cherry-picked list of clients and is an opportunity to learn how the photographer works.
      4. Invite the photographer in for a portfolio showing. This is your chance to get some face time. It is worth preparing some basic questions, not only of their work but also of their working practices, so you can compare photographers in your own terms.
      5. You should always solicit a bid from the photographer(s). Any bid should include a basic level of detail that itemizes the number of images, the length of time of the photo shoot, and, most importantly, the usage fees that are being transferred to you. It should also list any extras that may be required. It’s very common to be asked to deliver several bids without winning any contracts, but please inform us clearly as to why we may not have won any particular bid.
      6. If you have a critical project, it has been a while since you reviewed your photographers’ work, or you want to have a review with other members of your firm, it is perfectly acceptable to call in a group of photographers’ portfolios and review them collectively without the photographers being present.
      7. As you meet with photographers, create a database that includes cut sheets of prospective photographer’s work, rate information (although, realize this will change over time), and contact information. Put it in your planner to invite updates quarterly or annually, depending on your use of photography.
  3. What should I expect to pay?
    1. Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to ask. The overwhelming majority of the photographers you will work with are self-employed and the industry has no set pay scale. Different photographers charge entirely different amounts for identical services, and charge entirely different categories of fees. All photographers are trying to make a living from selling photography and want to maintain their equipment while delivering exceptional images. We’re not trying to rob you!
    2. That said there are three basic elements to most photographer’s fees:
      1. Shoot fees are typically charged by a day rate or half-day rate.
      2. Usage fees are sometimes charged by the shot, sometimes by the shoot. These fees can be charged for periods of time and for methods of usage, although I typically offer Unlimited Usage in Perpetuity for the firm that contracts me. It is vitally important that you clearly establish your legal rights to the work as the photographer almost undoubtedly holds the copyright and can control your right to display and distribute those images.
      3. Extras can include a wide variety of things. Examples include:
        1. Digital media
        2. Post-production fee
        3. Scouting fee
        4. Assistant fee
        5. Lighting and other equipment rental
        6. Travel fees
        7. Overtime
        8. Props
    3. An individual photographer’s rates are whatever that photographer feels is appropriate. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but please do so delicately and reasonably:
      1. Always try and present an annual budget so you can demonstrate the value of an ongoing relationship to the photographer.
      2. Be prepared to offer multiple projects to obtain lower fees, but these projects should be contracted as a group for a photographer to appreciate the value.
      3. Review the rates in relation to the product and see if there are services you can cut – additional lighting rental, extra assistants, post production work you can perform, etc…
Pick a Project:
  1. Which projects should I photograph?
    1. Take a look at your target markets and your existing portfolio. It’s best to know in which areas you want to pursue work and to build balanced portfolios to represent those particular design skills.
    2. Look at your existing portfolio and think about re-shooting your most interesting projects to keep your portfolio up to date and create a brand identity through your photographer.
  2. How often should I photograph?
    1. Continuously: Try and get used to photographing projects on an ongoing basis so you can get the project when it is fresh and untouched. It will also be far more enticing to the national and local press sources.

Preparing to go on Site:

  1. Who should schedule the shoot?
    1. The photographer or you can schedule the shoot; if you have confidence in the photographer’s social skills, it may work well to have them schedule the shoot so you don’t have to schedule both the client and the photographer.
  2. To Scout or not to Scout?
    1. You should always scout if possible. Following the scout have the photographer upload the images for review by the folk responsible for marketing the firm, those responsible for the design on the project and the principal(s) responsible for the project. Re-shoots are expensive and irritating and should always be avoided, if possible, and the best way to do so is to scout the location and share that scout.
  3. What do I need for props?
    1. This is best determined from the scout. You might need large plants to soften an exterior photograph, fresh cut flowers for an interior, plates and table settings for a restaurant, people to provide scale and life, etc…
  4. What considerations do I need for an individual site?
    1. Access: When is the site available for the photographer to scout and complete the final photo shoot? Do the photographer and assistant need passes for security?
    2. Sunlight: Think of daylight for the exteriors and interior. Obviously, the big, bright, nuclear light is very important for exteriors but it can be vital or disastrous on interiors depending on which direction you are shooting, what orientation the building has, and at what time of day you are shooting.
    3. Lighting: Locate the switches and mark them. Look for dimmers, check wattage and type of bulbs, get low wattage bulbs and replacements for burn-outs as necessary.
    4. Power: Identify where the breaker panels and outlets are to allow for ease of light placement and resetting a breaker if it’s tripped.

Going on Site:

  1. How do we time the day?
    1. This will typically be affected by natural light conditions and access. This is where that scout proves to be so useful. Based on a scout, I determine a shot list and work in that specific order. Typically, a photograph can take forty-five minutes to an hour and a half to stage and capture, depending on the complexity of the lighting and props.
    2. On a more complex shoot, where natural lighting is critical for later shots, it is best to determine a rough schedule and periodically check-in to review progress. If you need to change the order of the photographs to ensure you capture the best work then it is well worth doing so.
  2. What sort of room do we need to work in?
    1. Check with the photographer on how much equipment they will be bringing and find a suitable unloading and staging point. Typically I work with a 12’ by 12’ space to simply unpack the equipment and use as a central location for the cases.
    2. Working tethered (connecting the camera directly to a laptop) is preferable, but when a camera can’t be connected to the laptop it is very useful to stage the laptop and critical camera gear in a central location to speed up the shoot.
  3. What input should I expect to have with the process?
    1. This all depends on the photographer. I feel that it’s your money and you should have a say, but always listen to the photographer and see if you can develop the photo together using their skill and your desire for a particular angle or feel. Ultimately, we’re not just button pushers, but we don’t necessarily realize everything that you want to accomplish with the photography.
    2. There are some big no-no’s with some photographers that I typically don’t let worry me too much. These can include:
      1. Touching the camera
      2. Looking through the view finder
      3. Moving the tripod
      4. Moving the lighting equipment
      5. Saying anything except yes that’s a lovely photograph let’s move to the next shot – some of us are prima donna’s
Post Production:
  1. What happens to all those photos?
    1. The photos come back to the studio and the photographer brings them onto their computer. At this point the photographer (or a digital technician) may execute any of the following work depending on the photographer’s contract with you:
      1. The photographer corrects photos for minor imperfections (dust on the sensor, subtle changes in contrast, tone and color) to create a matched set of images.
      2. The photographer performs major changes pertaining to cropping, color temperature, merging multiple exposures for burn-outs in highlights.
      3. The photographer retouches the image to remove light switches, random bits of plumbing, miscellaneous light fixtures and all manner of other stuff.
      4. The photographer post processes the photos, archives them in their system, and burns a disk for your use.
  2. How quickly should I expect to get the photos back?
    1. This depends entirely on the photographer’s work load and their commitment to you, but it can take one to twelve hours to perform a decent post production process on each image. Ultimately, you should be very clear on how soon you may need the images; often I’ve prioritized a particular client’s needs related to a competition entry, ad, or an email press release.
  3. How should I store them?
    1. Match the industry standard is the best way, three locations and at least two different types of media. Keep it on the disk from the photographer, keep a live copy on your server, and keep another copy in your back-ups or on a spare disk. One of these locations should be completely removed from the first two. Always have three copies on two different types of media. Always have three copies on two different types of media. Do I need to say it again?


Ongoing Relationship:
  1. How do I keep in touch with my photographer(s)?
    1. Feel free to invite your photographer to send in new work they’ve captured for other clients so you can keep an eye to new projects and new styles; photographers develop their style as much as you develop your tastes.
    2. You should give them plenty of notice of upcoming projects to ensure their availability and confirm the consistency of pricing and services.
  2. How do we get better and better work?
    1. It’s an ongoing relationship with the photographer; talk about the results of the shoot and definitely let them know if you’re not happy.
    2. Cut and save shots you like, whether it’s a magazine, a catalog, a rivals marketing; always try and think about your “look” and communicate that with the photographer. The photographer is definitely looking at other peoples images, so you should too.

Appendix:
ASMP Working With An Architectural Photographer
How to Work with an Architectural Photographer Word Document

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Shane Kucera: 360 Architecture

360 Architecture and I have developed a wonderful relationship over the last two years. Photographing their incredible architectural interiors is always a pleasure and they are a staple part of "How to do it right..." presentations.

"Alistair Tutton is efficient, talented and a pleasure to work with. He makes the process as stress-free as possible. From scouting, scheduling and coordinating, down to the minor details such as burnt out light bulbs, Alistair handles all aspects of the project and delivers excellent images. Whether it means a 3:00 a.m. set up to catch the ideal light or returning to a project to avoid construction equipment, we always know he will do whatever is needed to deliver high-quality work with a quick turnaround."

"We are at all times confident we'll receive images well worth the investment with Alistair."

"Shane Kucera, Art Director
360 Architecture"







Credits:
Shane Kucera: 360 Architecture

Erin Benda: Anthem Media

Erin led me a merry dance as I tried to get a chance to shoot for Anthem! It took about six months of pestering and cajoling but it has definitely proven worth it. Many of the great assignments that they have had me cover have become cornerstones of my portfolio and they have allowed me a wonderful level of creative freedom and inciteful direction as I have captured work for multiple mastheads.

"After being wooed by Alistair's svelte English accent and cheeky sense of humor, we decided try him out on an assignment and the photos were wonderful! He has a keen eye and a knack for capturing the true essence of the moment. Whether it's a person, place or thing- his images always make the viewer feel like they're right there, next to Alistair, as he's taking the shot."

"Alistair is one of the few photographers that I can trust to take an assignment and run with it, usually without an art director, and get amazing results. I've never gotten my proofs back from Alistair and thought "I wish he would've done [insert wish] instead..."

"Erin Benda, Creative Director
Anthem Media"







Credits:
Erin Benda: Anthem Media

Jürgen Mantzke: Lore Magazine

Jürgen approached me to photograph for Lore Magazine in early 2007; he gave some incredible houses to capture and a wonderful assignment recording the Plaza with the Christmas lights ablaze. This relationship later developed into a great portrait shoot at the Topeka Capital with a lot of humor and personality.

"I've had a few occasions to work with Alistair and found his manner professional and progressive. He has been responsive, efficient, and creative. The results in our magazine have been splendid."

"Jürgen Mantzke, Art Director
Lore Magazine"







Credits:
Jürgen Mantzke: Lore Magazine

Andrea Darr: Kansas City Homes & Gardens

Andrea and I have collaborated on developing the photography style of Kansas City Homes & Gardens; focusing far more on creating more emotion and life in the imagery. She's an incredible talent and a joy to work with and I love the great houses she keeps finding for me.

"I've been working with Alistair for about ten months, and I'm continuously impressed with his work. He's extremely professional, personable and someone who has an eye for image angles and lighting. He turns in great shots, and I always look forward to working with him."

"Andrea Darr, Editor
Kansas City Homes & Gardens"







Credits:
Andrea Darr: Kansas City Homes & Gardens

Stephanie Malcy: Motif

Stephanie has been a source of continual inspiration over the last six years; she's an absolute pleasure to work with, a wonderful art director and an incredible graphic designer. My favorite project with her was the stunning imagery we created for Winntech's VM+SD advertising campaign.

"Alistair and I have been doing collaborative work for the last six years. He eagerly addresses core issues and works through the developmental process to produce both compelling and thoughtful projects."

"Alistair's photography is very strong; he continually works at capturing the essence of the subject, giving the image a voice. And he consistently stays in tune with client needs, playing a key role in keeping the ball rolling so that work comes in on budget and on time."

"Stephanie Malcy, Owner
Motif Design"


Credits:
Stephanie Malcy: Motif

Craig Deister: Blue Bike Architects

I have been capturing the incredible work of Blue Bike Architects for the last two years; during this time I have not only had a great time working with John and Craig but also captured some truly stunning work that forms the cornerstone of my early portfolio pieces.

"Building a new Architectural Firm from the ground up has required a lot of hard
work, dedication and most importantly finding the right consultants to work
with us to make the plan come together perfectly. BlueBike Architects is
constantly interviewing and interacting with various types of professionals to
assist in our work. One area that we are totally comfortable and completely
confident with is our photographer for capturing completed BlueBike Architects
Architectural Projects - Mr. Alistair Tutton."

"Mr. Tutton and his company consistantly deliver extremely high quality images
for our use in promoting the firm. My business partner and I have worked with
some of the biggest and most expensive photographers over the past 20 years,
and what we have found with Mr. Tutton is that he communicates, presents his
professional opinion and does deliver a high quality product on time."

"Oh behalf of BlueBike Architects, I strongly recommend Mr. Tutton and his company for any of your photograph needs."

"Sincerely,
Craig Deister, Principal
BlueBike Architects"







Credits:
Craig Deister: Blue Bike Architects

Zack Shubkagel: Willoughby Design

Willoughby Design are one of the true power house design studios in Kansas City; during the past two years they have enabled me to capture stunning images that have won awards in the AIGA, Omni's (Addy's) and How Design, while also providing me the opportunity to work with some truly imaginative folk.

"Alistair is adept at capturing not only the architecture of a space but its personality. He is serious about his work and in getting the most appropriate shots for his clients. The shoot he did for Feng has aided us in winning several design awards and press."

"Zack Shubkagel, Design Director
Willoughby Design"





















Credits:
Zack Shubkagel: Willoughby Design

Terry Needham: Needham Realty, Inc.

Needham Realty is an incredible independent realtor who is a phenomenal buyer broker. Beyond those projects that Terry has spearheaded on behalf of his clients he also dabbles in home renovation for some truly majestic gems such as this house on Oak Street that he restored to its former glory.

"I retained Alistair Tutton to photograph a 100-year old Victorian bungalow that had been completely rebuilt because it was clearly evident from a review of his prior work that he understood how to photograph architectural interiors and exteriors. Alistair's training in architectural and design gives him a keen eye for perspective, view point and light in a manner that brings key features into sharp focus. His photography manages to take something that is already very special and make it seem totally extraordinary. He has a rare creative gift and it is a joy to work with him."

"Terry Needham
Realtor/Builder/Investor
President: Needham Realty, Inc.
Founded in 1976"



Credits:
Terry Needham: Needham Realty, Inc.

Sharon Frankel: Camp Fire USA Heartland Council

Camp Fire USA are a truly compassionate bunch who are quite wonderful to work for. Amongst a series of shoots I got the chance to photograph a selection of their collection of alumni gowns dating back into the twenties; an exceptional project.

"Camp Fire USA Heartland Council would like to thank you for your exceptional guidance in helping us plan and implement our photo shoot to develop an advertising campaign for our 2007 candy sale. We appreciated your advice and creative ideas to design an ad campaign which enabled our youth to sell over $35,000 worth of candy."

"You and your associates certainly provided innovative ideas for renewing interest and excitement in our candy sale. Thank you for your quick response in providing information and answers to questions, commitment to assist with our non-profit agency, providing prompt turnaround during the design and approval stages, and final follow-up with the newspaper to make sure everything was within specs. Your involvement with this project provided the additional expertise I needed as the in-house Marketing Director to design the candy sale ad campaign, which was a new venture for Heartland Council."

"Please feel free to have anyone call me as a reference for you if a potential client needed any reassurance about contracting with Al Tutton Photography."

"Thanks, again.
Sincerely,
Sharon Frankel
Marketing Director"



Credits:
Sharon Frankel: Camp Fire USA Heartland Council

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Eden Alley and You Say Tomato - Urban Times

Another wonderful shoot for Urban Times. I got to see two fantastic places in Kansas City; Eden Alley (a long standing favorite of the wife) and You Say Tomato (which is simply fabulous over at 2801 Holmes - go there - NOW).



Credits:
Eden Alley
Urban Times
Assistant - Bryce Napier

Monday, February 11, 2008

Home Design; Freighthouse Flats - Anthem Media

This is a fabulous new condo development in the Crossroads. Thanks to the home owner and the condo developer for access - it was great to capture all the details that make that fabulous space so unique.



Credits:
Freighthouse Flats
Home Design
Art Director - Chadwick Brooks
Assistant - Neil DeKrey

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

2008 Chicago Auto Show - Exhibitor Magazine

Another year and another Chicago Auto Show. No individually incredible exhibit like last year with Scion but there was some great interactive pieces - I loved the Fan Dangler!




Credits:
Exhibitor Magazine

 
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