One of the biggest assets and liabilities for a professional architectural photographer is lighting. It’s important you know the thought process behind photographers picking days and times and what can start or halt a shoot. Today we’re going to talk about two very different types of photoshoots: daytime and nighttime shots and what it takes as a photographer and client to make them happen.
Daytime Architectural Photography: All About Timing
For most businesses and buildings, daytime photography is the first and logical choice for architectural photography. After all, most business hours, staff, and clients will be there during daytime hours. However, capturing that “perfect day” that provides the backdrop and lighting both the photographer and client need is no simple task when it comes to daytime photography.
Keeping Out a Weather Eye
The biggest impact on daytime lighting is unsurprisingly the weather. What is surprising is how often that weather does not play nice with the schedules of photo sessions (or maybe not surprising, considering the weather in New England). A mark of a good architectural photographer is the number of weather apps on their phone, so they can quickly reschedule and save everyone’s time.
Understanding How Time of Day Impacts Lighting
Besides the weather you should expect, the time of day and even the seasons also impact the direction and quality of the light in ways we may grasp intuitively but not when it comes to photography. Check out my posts where I talk about the most common times and cardinal directions to shoot from.
Nighttime Architectural Photography: All About Communication
Architectural photography during the night or twilight can be a striking addition to your portfolio. However, it takes a few things to make it happen. Make sure to work closely with your photographer and get them the connections he needs to get your great images.
Do a Walkthrough with Your Photographer
While you should do a photography walkthrough days before your shoot, you’ll want to do one during dusk or night before a night shoot. As outlined in my blog, Architectural Photography: Preparing for a Twilight Photo Shoot, you’ll need to check the building exterior well in advance to catch any issues.
Get a Direct Line Between the Photographer and Maintenance
You’ll need to make sure your staff is both looped in and ready for the shoot. You or your maintenance team will need to be ready to turn off or on the exterior or interior lighting, and you should put out a notice to any staff or residents before the shoot.
If you’re looking for architectural photography day or night, contact ShupeStudios. I’ll guide you through the steps necessary to capture stunning commercial or residential photography at any time of the day.