From total new builds to renovations, additions, deep energy retrofits, and a whole host of other construction projects, our commercial spaces and residential homes on Martha’s Vineyard are in a constant state of flux. As architectural photographers, we are often enlisted at the completion of these designs, and for good reason–to help capture an impressive new space that has been carefully considered, respectfully constructed, and thoughtfully designed.
Have you ever picked up a real estate guidebook to browse images of beautiful homes while imagining yourself inside their aspirational spaces? Architecture photography allows people to obtain a visual understanding of buildings they may never get the opportunity to visit, creating a valuable resource that allows us to expand people’s knowledge and understanding of places unknown.
For our clients, including local builders, architects, interior designers, real estate, and construction companies, our photography provides valuable documentation of some of their most prized and often most complex work. When you think about the endless hours that go into a building project isn’t it only right to honor that commitment by showcasing it as accurately and professionally as possible? That’s where we come in. Our photography enables our clients to better educate and entice their prospective clients, and we present their work in the most beautiful way they can.
Essentially, beyond the basics of building and construction, architecture is a thoughtful process of design and function. More than the structure itself, it represent its time and place and inhabitants. That’s why when we approach an architectural photography project we are looking to highlight the beauty of the building, but also its purpose, its uniqueness, its essence.
There’s a lot to consider and in order to capture all of these elements we begin by documenting the spatial design and architectural details of a place. Next, we focus on the unique features, additions, and customized design elements that make the space come alive. When we initially take on a project we consult with our client and scout the location with them, so they can point out those distinctive characteristics that set the building apart. By facilitating this type of collaboration from the beginning, we can develop a strategic approach for the rest of our work. This ensures that our final images most accurately reflect the space, its character, and our client’s intentions.
Its no surprise that potential buyers and clients are often drawn to properties by images, and the accurate, attractive photographs we provide can be very valuable to our clients. Using composition, angles, images, and other photography fundamentals, we illustrate the exceptional characteristics that best represent the space, resulting in dynamic images. We assess how all of the elements fit together by adding and removing props and accents as needed, for example, fruit and flowers might enhance a kitchen, while books and glasses could help define a reading area.
As always, using the right tools in our toolkit is critical, and the lenses we use for architectural photography allow us to depict any interior or exterior with a wide-eyed perspective–without distortion or converging lines. With the help of our professional lenses we can precisely capture the area, and effectively shoot smaller spaces like bathrooms and closets.
One tool we can’t directly control is the natural light, but we can thoughtfully consider it, as we always do. When we scout a location for our architecture photography we are able to note the angle of the sun and how it lights up a room. The space’s potential for natural light allows us to determine the best time of day to photograph what room and when.
Mother Nature can also present us with weather challenges and seasonal factors that can affect our architecture photography too. For interior shots, we can shoot year-round, and winter is a particularly great time on the Cape and Islands. Many second homeowners and rental clients have left or moved out of the space for the time being. Without the leaves on the trees, there is more natural light streaming in, and when snow is present it creates a beautiful glowing effect that can be reflected into space.
As for capturing exteriors, late spring, summer, and fall are good times of the year, as you want to consider the state of the landscaping and how you want it showcased. Fortunately, our drone can capture exterior shots of our architecture projects all year–it’s especially great for expressing the nearby physical features of a property. By capturing the building’s natural habitat, like a wooded area or nearby coastline, or proximity to a neighboring structure, a broader context of the property can be shared. With a bird’s eye view, a whole new perspective is gained and the location is further revealed.
All of our efforts, considerations, tools, and techniques are what allow us to bring static spaces and places to life through our architectural photography. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Building Shelter, Martha’s Vineyard Construction Company, LDa Architecture + Interiors, Island Housing Trust, Tracker Home Decor, LandVest, The Winnetu Hotel and Resort and Concept Building this year and we’ve captured some truly incredible spaces on Martha’s Vineyard and in America. We do our best to represent the dedication that has gone into the construction of the building and the talent and craftsmanship of our clients, and as always, art and design remain at the center.
