The Architectural Photography Process
How does this work?
When you reach out to me, I will relentlessly pepper you with questions until you run away screaming…
Well, I hope not, but there will be questions, such as:
What is the project?
Where is the project? (Local or long distance)
What is the scope of the project? (Shoot a few images, document an entire project, or series of projects…)
Will I need to scout the project before shooting?
Will I need an assistant for the shoot? (Short amount of time and need lots of photos for example)
When do you need the project to be completed?
How do you want to use the images? (Website, contest entry, national ad campaign?)
Who else might want to use the images?
The point is, this is a bespoke process, and any quote will be tailored to your needs.
It’s not because I am snooty and highfalutin, the reality is, no two projects are the same.
So, we talk about your project and I give you a formal quote.
If you accept the quote, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold the date and book the shoot.
On the date chosen I will show up with all the equipment necessary to create the images.
(Equipment includes: Cameras, Tripods, Lights, Stands, Light Modifiers, Computers, etc)
On site we will set up shots with your input on composition and framing.
(I use a computer or iPad to control the camera and you can preview images on its screen)
A few days after the shoot you will receive rough edits of the images so you can decide which you want fully edited and licensed.
Depending on how many images you select, editing will take a week or longer.
A few weeks later…You will receive the final edits for your approval.
Upon approval the remainder of the invoice is due, and upon payment the photos are licensed to you.
We are done, now let’s talk about your next project…
What is it going to cost?
I cannot give a definitive answer to that without more information, however I can provide a starting point.
There are two parts to my fee.
Part one is the creative or production fee:
Covers planning, local travel to project site, set up and breakdown of all necessary equipment, image capture, basic license and delivery of final images.
Part two is a retouching fee:
Charged per final image. Editing often takes as long or longer than shooting images
As of March 2026
Creative fee for one day of shooting $1200
Per delivered image retouch fee: $50
One day is generally up to 15 photos.
One day shooting, 15 photos retouched and delivered with standard license $1950
For small projects, 2-3 hours on-site including 4 licensed images $600
Do you offer discounts?
There is a very large potential discount available in the form of cost sharing. Cost Sharing is a very common practice when photographing architecture and interior projects. By bringing in an additional party you can save over 30% on the architectural photography of your project. Discounts increase for each additional party brought into the photo shoot.
For each additional party brought into the cost share in advance of the shoot, we will add 30% to the total photo shoot cost. From there, the total is shared evenly between all parties resulting in a large discount.
Cost Sharing Example: If a photo shoot is estimated at $2,750, and one party is added to the cost share, the total becomes $3,575 ($2,750 + 30%). The new cost per-party is $1,788. You save $962.
Examples of companies that often want access to the photos include: architects, interior designers, landscape architects, sub-contractors, materials vendors, furniture vendors, owners/tenants.
Who owns the photos?
All photos are the copyrighted work of the photographer. I register every photo I deliver with the US Copyright Office, and I retain all rights to the photos. As a client, you are provided with a License to use the photos.
You are already accustomed to a licensing model. When you “buy” a song through Apple Music, you don’t actually own the song, but rather, you own a license to listen to the song on any of your personal devices for your own entertainment. Likewise, you don’t own Microsoft Excel. You own a license to use the software. Photos are the same.
I include a standard usage license with every photo. This usage includes what most design businesses need every day, such as website, social media, architecture and design competition entries, internal uses, including proposals, printed collateral, and wall displays. This is a perpetual license that does not expire. Additional usage may require additional licenses, which can be added up front or anytime in the future.