Written by Taylor Hugo
After spending months, or even years, on your latest new build, remodel, or interior design project, preserve your hard work by hiring an architectural photographer to capture high-quality images and videos for your portfolio.
“Who you work with and trust to tell the story of your project or property truly does matter. They should understand it and consistently deliver at a very high level,” says Kyla Evenson, the director of growth and strategic partnerships for Nordy Photography.
Whether your goal is to cultivate a strong online presence or develop an eye-catching award and magazine submission package, Twin Cities photographers share the importance of working with a professional to capture your next project.
1. They’ll help you make a strong first impression.
In our increasingly digital world, the first time — and sometimes the only time — someone sees your home project is online. Make it jump off the screen with professional photos and videos. “We like to tell people that putting your project online or your home on the market is kind of like entering an online beauty contest. You’re waiting for it to be judged,” says Evenson. “You want people to feel a little bit of FOMO, like if they don’t see it, they are missing out on the best thing possible — and that starts with really great, high-quality media.”
2. They know how to showcase a space in its best possible light—both literally and figuratively.
Yes, an architectural photographer will know the best time of day to shoot in a space depending on the direction a house faces and the weather (hint: overcast days are the best for photoshoots to minimize shadows), but they also understand how to stage a room, and how certain surfaces and textures will appear in an image. “When you hire an architectural photographer, you’re dealing with somebody that has acquired an experienced eye capturing architecture with images that depict the work done, the style, and the story of the property in its best light,” says Jim Kruger of LandMark Photography.
3. They’ll make your brand look elevated and cohesive.
Whether you need images for your online portfolio, award submissions, or publication consideration, an architectural photographer can capture and edit images to match your brand aesthetic. “We pride ourselves on capturing for each client, understanding their brand and how they like their images to be portrayed to the public,” says Mike McCaw, the owner and creative director of Spacecrafting. Many times, it comes down to who they’re shooting for. “If we’re capturing for a builder, who touched every surface, they may want to show how the floor plan connects and how the spaces flow. But an interior designer, who maybe didn’t work on every surface, needs to be more curated in their story of how they contributed to a remodel.”
4. They keep up with the latest trends and innovations in architectural photography.
In 2024, capturing a whole home or project goes far beyond high-quality images. “Video is the number-one thing. Everything is transitioning over to video right now,” says Kruger. This could mean first-person point-of-view drone footage that makes potential homebuyers—or those who simply enjoy touring luxury homes—feel like they are actually walking through a space, or highlight reels for social media. “Not everyone gets to walk through a home. These photos and videos can live socially, they can live on their website,” says McCaw. “It’s an honor to be able to capture these homes in such a beautiful way.”
