Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

AndrewSA · **architectural work -** 03-20-2007, 04:23 PM

Just wondering how others that do ths sort of work charge for it. I'm thinking mostly exterior since the factors are more varied.

I suppose you could choose the best time of day to do a shot, but how does that work if the weather is bad at that time, or something like that?

Steelsun · 03-20-2007, 06:08 PM

I've done a couple and it all depends on the end customer.

Some were for an architect's portfolio, and those we planned on for a good time of day when the lighting angles were good, and also hoped (and lucked out) for a day with some blue sky with some clouds (looked neat with a polarizer pumping the sky).

A few others were to document interior and exterior conditions for lawsuits and the lighting was not so important then.

I've also done some for stock shooting, and light is important then, so it's a matter of luck sometimes.

CobyPhoto · 09:21 PM

Depends upon the tools, capture medium, and final use intended. I use 4x5 to do most of my exterior elevation architectural work, as my clients usually want huge enlargements for the final product. 4x5 Transparencies scanned at high resolution still give a better result over digital.

I have used digital for some clients, when time was very critical (need it last week) and HDR in Photoshop CS2 to get the exposure and details needed. I do pay attention to the time and light thou...I like to eliminate as many problems as possible to make the work easier.

CJ

PS: on the matter of wweather...that is as Brian said...motly a matter of luck usually! I was a week or more behind on one client's shoot, due to rain and storms EVERYTIME we scheduled the shoot. Luckily, we got it done shortly before their deadline.

LadyShutterBug · 03-20-2007, 11:41 PM

i did shooting for a remodeling company for a little while.

the best light really depends on what you're shooting, and what you're hoping to highlight.

for home exteriors, dusk is a great time, especially good if you wet down the driveway and do some other stuff. "dusk shots" are pretty standard if they are entering the home into some sort of contest... especially if it's got great concrete or paving work on the outside.

it's texas. weather is weather. you shoot when you can. if you get rained out, you reschedule or work around the rain!

Ph0t0g · 03-21-2007, 12:09 AM

Andrew,

I guess it really depends on your area and what the going rate is. That said, its always best to decide what you are willing to accept and what you would like to get and go for somewhere in the middle. I got lucky on my first one. They liked my work and wanted me to do it, so they sent me a proposal from another local company that charged decent rates and said they would be happy to pay those rates if I would do the work. Ultimately we ended up charging a little more. The going rate here for a decent photographer is about 2700 for 3 homes with 10 - 12 images of each home, thats only if they can be scheduled in 2 days. If it takes more time than the price goes up. These are used mostly for advertising in brochures that are produced for them. I've also done work that was almost 2 grand for a single home when they needed it on short notice.

Ultimately tho you have to decide what your willing to accept and work from there.

Good luck, its a crazy business, especially when dealing with trying to light interiors, its not uncommon to use a $3000 dollar HMI light and bounce it in the room to get that look of light coming through a window.

Hope that helped answer your question.

AndrewSA · 03-21-2007, 11:41 PM

So how does that work when you schedule a shoot and do out there and do it and the conditions aren'thorrible, but could be better. The client feels the image is acceptable, but really wants one with a clear blue sky or whatever.

Do you just keep going out to the location until the weather cooperates or do you charge a fee each time?

AndrewSA · 03-21-2007, 11:43 PM

thanks for the insight. Yes, if I was shooting 4x5, etc. that seems like a fair price. Just curious, are you charging the client for usage of the images or do you just quote them a certain flat rate and they can do whatever they want with the images?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ph0t0g

Andrew,

I guess it really depends on your area and what the going rate is. That said, its always best to decide what you are willing to accept and what you would like to get and go for somewhere in the middle. I got lucky on my first one. They liked my work and wanted me to do it, so they sent me a proposal from another local company that charged decent rates and said they would be happy to pay those rates if I would do the work. Ultimately we ended up charging a little more. The going rate here for a decent photographer is about 2700 for 3 homes with 10 - 12 images of each home, thats only if they can be scheduled in 2 days. If it takes more time than the price goes up. These are used mostly for advertising in brochures that are produced for them. I've also done work that was almost 2 grand for a single home when they needed it on short notice.

Ultimately tho you have to decide what your willing to accept and work from there.

Good luck, its a crazy business, especially when dealing with trying to light interiors, its not uncommon to use a $3000 dollar HMI light and bounce it in the room to get that look of light coming through a window.

Hope that helped answer your question.