I recently undertook a project for a prestigious Boston area landscape firm where I was charged with showcasing their work in the residential market. This was a challenging project since I had to capture their work on each property ranging from design, to landscape installation, to property maintenance. Strategically I wanted to frame the nature of the property and the scope of my client’s work then move to tighter shots to create a narrative. The objective for each property, and the project as a whole, was to tell a story.
Great photography begins with a plan so my first step was logistics. As always, I start with a thorough walk-through. I scheduled a time with each property owner to view their homes, made note of opportunities, shooting angles, time of day considerations, potential issues with trees, shadows or lighting, and any touch up work needed by the landscaping crews before I shot. Once done I scheduled shooting dates – always having a plan B in case of weather.
Since my client was a landscaping firm my first objective was to demonstrate the marriage of landscape and design, with the home’s architecture. In the shots above I worked to show how their skills seamlessly integrate the entire property to create an engaging and welcoming environment for family and visitors.
Since many of the homes in this project had pools there was a great deal of masonry and design work that I wanted to showcase. The first shot above captures the masonry work on the patio and pool deck - and how it unites the pool and home. I was also careful to include their work creating a living fence to the left of the pool - which provides interest but also creates a privacy screen from abutting homes. In the second shot directly above, I was also demonstrating design and hardscaping but in a very different context. Unlike the first shot the objective of this landscape was to create a distinct area on the property - a separate pool and recreation area for family and friends.
Landscaping has many varied objectives - sometimes creating sight lines, accentuating an aspect of the home, or simply harmonizing with the architecture. In other cases its objective is to create spaces, sometimes these are big and other times private and cozy. In the two shots above I focused on private areas designed to bring small groups together. In each case I also worked to highlight my client’s masonry skills in building custom firepits.
Every property has unique spaces and landscape architecture that give it personality, and it is important to show these when photographing to help tell your story. On one property I saw a magnificent tennis court that I shot at an angle to add a touch of drama. In another were interesting sculptures that I framed to gave a sense of fun and whimsey while balancing out a formal garden.
Nothing adds drama like a magic hour or evening shot so for most of the properties in this project I arrived in the afternoon to get day shots, with soft afternoon light, and then captured dramatic magic hour shots. Evening shots exude a different personality which round out a shoot - and I knew these would give my clients maximum flexibility in their marketing efforts.
We Can Help You Tell the Right Story
Every type of property needs the right story to connect with your target audience. It may be the story of its landscaping, as in this project, or it may be the story of its architecture, neighborhood, or environment. Whatever the objective I never settle for a picture - instead I tell a story.
On every project I offer two important services at no charge to you:
- A free brainstorming session to identify the right story.
- A free pre-shoot walk-through to stage shots, and identify opportunities to get the perfect narrative
At Shupe Studios our goal is to wow your audience. If you’re in the Boston area or greater New England, I hope you’ll reach out to me.