How much do architectural photographers charge?

Today’s generation places a high value on visual appeal. What does this mean? Your customers are more inclined to support you if your brand catches their line of sight. Social media networks like Instagram and Pinterest focus on the “aesthetic” or beautification of certain things. 

You need excellent photos if you’re marketing a building, restaurant, or the like. But in this case, focus on the exterior and interior of your place. If you wish to enhance the look of your business and make it appealing to your audience, work with an architectural photographer.

How much is architectural photography in the US? While prices depend on the professional or studio you work with, the cost ranges from $150 to $320 per hour. This might not include unique add-ons, like props, photography assistants, etc.

Architectural photographer price list

The Internet has several cost calculators, but here’s a guide to architectural photographer pricing to help you find the best professional in your area:

Reasons to hire an architectural photographer

You’re probably thinking, “It’s just aesthetics. There’s no need to invest in a photographer when I can do it myself.” We encourage resourcefulness, but it’s essential to know that professional photography goes beyond aesthetics. Experts consider many things when taking pictures.

Storyline

Some believe that architectural photography doesn’t require talent. After all, you can simply point and shoot. But when it comes to selling your business, you should think twice. Your shop or building must have character. An architectural photographer knows what the overall look should be.

But the story does not stop there. What do you want your shop to look like? How do you want to portray the exterior or interior? Discuss these points with your architectural photographer before the shoot. Your theme will define the brand and purpose of your session. Do you want a daytime or nighttime shoot with or without people? Establishing the storyline is an essential part of the process. 

Professional equipment

Handling equipment is a skill everyone can learn, but not everyone can master it. Examples of equipment are lights, reflectors, and camera ISOs. Photography involves more than clicking a button. It requires expertise or prior knowledge, which professional product photographers already have.

While most phones have lenses that almost rival professional cameras today, handling a shoot with the right equipment still rings differently. This is especially true if you want to achieve a particular theme. Highlighting architecture requires professional photography if you’re going to emphasize a certain angle. 

Post-processing

Raw photos aren’t the final product. Photos must undergo editing before public release or viewer consumption. With that in mind, professional product photographers have experience using editing software like Photoshop and Lightroom. They tweak photos’ exposure, brightness, and saturation to make them look nice. 

Consistency

Photographers also value consistency in their process. Each image should meet quality standards. Architectural photographers take note of lighting and positioning, especially since they want to bring your vision to life. 

Other details

Most customers zoom in on product photos. Businesses upload pictures to give a sneak peek or an in-depth look at what you can look forward to after purchasing something. The last thing you want is a pixelated image when your customers inspect it. 

For those new to the photography world, a pixelated photo is grainy, blurry, or unclear due to low resolution. Your professional product photographer will ensure that the shots are clear, whether zoomed in or out. Consequently, your customers won’t have problems during preliminary checks.

What areas does architectural photography cover?

When talking about architectural photography, you only really focus on two areas:

• Interiors. These can be the dining area of a restaurant, the inside of a shop, or the office floors of a building. Experts say that photographing interiors can be more challenging because of the lack of natural light. 
• Exteriors. These can be the outdoor seating area of a restaurant, the walkway of a skyscraper, or the outside furnishings of a commercial establishment. 

Prepping for an architectural photo shoot

1. Establish a storyline. Jumping into the shoot right away without thinking about what you want will prove problematic in the long run. You will have an assortment of shots and confuse your customers. Before anything else, how will your photos align with your brand philosophy? How do you want your photos to tell your story?
2. Choose the right photography package. What type of product photographer are you looking for? Are you planning to take photos of higher floors or a wide, panoramic shot in the sky? Hire aerial or drone photographers. Do you want to create a visual experience of people’s everyday lives? Book a lifestyle photographer. Finally, if you plan to sell your place, you can collaborate with property or real estate photographers. You can enjoy the perks of expertise and quality output with the right professional. 
3. Prepare your products. Clean them and set aside enough samples for the shoot. Talk to your photographer about your props.

Overall, photography is essential to marketing your business well, especially on the Internet, where people appreciate the beauty of places, products, and other things. Airtasker can help you find an architectural photographer. Just post a Task and receive offers today.