How resource-intensive is the relationship between design-build firms and photographers?

Both data and expert commentary highlight how crucial (and resource-intensive) the collaboration between design-build firms and photographers has become. Design & build companies in the workspace design arena typically engage professional photographers frequently – usually for each major project – and dedicate a significant block of hours annually to this collaboration. The exact time spent can vary widely based on how many projects are photographed and how complex the shoots are, but it is clear that professional office photography is now an integral part of the design-build workflow, not an afterthought.

• Budgeting for Multiple Shoots: It’s now common for firms to budget for numerous workspace photo shoots per year. Our experience shows what marketer.smps.org says, that many of our clients anticipate certain number of office projects to photograph in a year, and budgeting around it. Such planning also implies dedicating staff time to each of those shoots, which is significant investment for the client.
• Increased Demand for Photography: Seasoned architects on various forums like reddit.com have observed a rise in how routinely build & design firms use professional photography. Whereas decades ago only select projects were documented by pros, today every completed project being photographed is becoming the norm in the industry.​ The availability of online portfolios and social media means fresh imagery is constantly needed to market the firm’s capabilities. We echo this trend and encourage designers to invest in photography for even small projects to stay competitive. The outcome is a deeper integration – and time investment – of photography in the standard project lifecycle.
• Return on Investment: Many experts stress that the time and money spent on quality images is worthwhile. Great photos help firms win awards, get published, attract new clients, and build brand credibility. In other words, the collaboration with a photographer is an extension of the design process. Design-build teams often treat photo shoots as a marketing project in itself – with planning and strategy – rather than a trivial add-on, which justifies the significant time allocation.

In commercial real estate space, how you present your work determines how you grow your business.

• Process Efficiency Tips: Engage your photographer early in the process and clearly communicate the objectives for the shoot. Provide details on where and how the images will be used, along with the number of final images required.(See our blog post : Commercial Objectives in Office Interior Photography)
• Collaborative Cost-Sharing: The practice of cost-sharing one photography session among multiple stakeholders (architect, interior designer, contractors, etc.) has been highlighted as an industry best practice to save time and money​. Rather than everyone doing separate shoots, one photographer can service all, avoiding a parade of different photographers (See our blog post: Managing Multiple Stakeholder Expectations)​ From a photographer’s perspective, championing this approach can reduce the total time the space is tied up for photography. It still requires coordination, but it’s a single coordinated effort instead of many disjointed ones.