Case Study - Christine Dayton Architects
Client Background
Long time client, Christine Dayton is an architect and designer on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Her team offers a wide range of architectural services, including everything from initial studies to designing, planning, and overseeing construction projects.
Challenges
Typical architectural photography and interior photography projects are planned out well in advance, with a location and technical scouting trip. On these technical scouts, we will evaluate the light, perform preliminary blocking and determine the equipment load out we will need for the project. However, this time that wasn’t an option. The client called on a Wednesday and asked how soon we could get to the location for a shoot. It seems the homeowners were having an event at the property and it was in perfect condition in preparation for that event. This would be an ideal time to shoot the home for the architects portfolio. A quick scan of the weather, and our availability showed Friday as a good option (2 days.) This lined up with the client and homeowners schedules and it was booked.
Concept Development -
The purpose of this architectural photoshoot was to highlight the architect’s vision and design of the project. Images such as these are typically used by architects, interior designers and construction firms in their portfolio of projects, websites and display ads. Often on architectural photo shoots we like to bring in the builders, interior designers, landscape architects, and other major firms involved with the project. We split the production costs between all of the participants, while providing a licensing option to each of them independently. This allows each of the clients to save a bit of money on the overall cost of the shoot. In this case, due to the compressed time frame we were not able to get everyone onboard before the shoot, which is ideal. We’re happy to say several came aboard after viewing the photos, and the shoot ended up costing the architect far less than they had budgeted due to the additional participants.
Execution -
Pre-production - Pre-production was limited to a few iPhone scouting images the client provided on a recent trip to the property as well as our use of sun-tracking software to determine the best time of day to be on site. Due to the compressed production schedule, no stylist was included. The client was able to provide some minimal propping and styling assistance.
Shoot day(s) - The shoot took place over several hours in a single afternoon and early evening. It was a beautiful late summer afternoon on the shore and other than a passing thunderstorm in the distance, we had great weather.
Post production - Post production involved color correction and retouching of switch plates, vents, outlets etc. We also offered several sky swaps.
Results -
The architect and her team are thrilled with the images. They helped us connect with the general contractor/builder who elected to buy into the production. That contractor also referred the images to the outdoor kitchen manufacturer who also licensed some of the images. All of which helped reduce the architect’s total costs on the project by about 30%
