How to Break Into Architecture Photography

Architectural photography tells the story of a place.

Architectural photography is a very small niche of professional photography in which the shooter is hired almost exclusively to take photos of building exteriors and interiors. These photos are then used in brochures, advertisements and tourist materials, depending on the nature of the assignment. Breaking into architectural photography requires dedication, skill and a little bit of luck, but you can increase the odds by positioning yourself as a proven professional with experience in the field.

Things You'll Need

• Digital SLR
• Tripod
• Flash unit
• 12mm lens

Instructions

1. Invest in high quality equipment. Architecture photography requires you to have you own lighting gear and a digital SLR. You may get lucky with lighting on exterior shoots, but you will need help with interiors. Buy a tripod, a flash unit and a 12mm lens to ensure you capture as much of the environment as possible.

2. Head out into your community or city and take as many photographs as you can. This activity provides two specific benefits – the first is experience in the field, and the second is more material for your portfolio.

3. Browse through your architecture photos and pick 10 to 20 of the strongest images. You will want to split your portfolio between interiors and exteriors. If you do not have 10 excellent images, keep shooting until you do.

4. Build a simple website so you have a place to direct potential clients. Make it easy to navigate and post your portfolio images so clients can take a look at your work.

5. Contact local realtors to find out if they hire freelance photographers for home shoots. High-end real estate officers often look for professional shooters to paint their listings in a positive light. Leave your contact information and a link to your online portfolio. Real estate is usually the first area of access for a new architectural shooter.

6. Look for potential jobs in your local newspaper and on online classifieds page. When you work as a freelancer, you never know where your next job could come from.

7. Take every job you can get and deliver professional, on-time results. The more clients you earn and the more work you complete, the easier it becomes to find work in the future.

References

• Advanced Photography.net; Architecture Photography — 10 Tips on How To Photograph Architectures; 2011
• Photo.net; How to Photograph Architecture (Exterior); Phillip Greenspun
• Photography Bay; Interior and Architectural Photography Basics; Eric Reagan; 2010