Trying to move into architectural photography

I've been shooting traditional photography for a few years and have been seriously shooting real estate photography for about 3 years now. I've been wanting to move towards architectural photography because well, I do better than most (quality-wise) with my traditional photography but I just don't enjoy shooting it as much as other things and people are cheap and--as you all know--it can be a PITA finding enough business. I also shoot RE photography well but realtors are even cheaper and it's difficult to charge enough to make it really worth my time although I do a lot of RE photography.

With architectural photography I can charge more--making it worth my time and making money to fill in the gaps. However, I've had a bear of a time getting into this business here in Jacksonville, FL. From what I can see, there aren't a lot of people offering these services so I've just got to get in front of the right people.

Looking for suggestions from others who've gone through the sweat and tears of building this client base. I've contacted architects directly, tried contacting various companies who were in the process of building buildings and a few other things with limited success. I have a high-end remodeling company who uses me for all of their stuff but they've been no help in getting in front of other companies (I'm sure it's a competition thing). So I'm just looking for ideas beyond the obvious.

Thanks.

GadgetRick wrote in post #15615889
I've contacted architects directly

That doesn't work. Getting clients and keeping them is like dating - you have to start very slow, get them to know you and like you in order to get them to come back to you. Cold calls are like "Hi, you don't know me but I wanna sleep with you".

Architects usually don't want to pay for photography. Brokers and real estate agents often do.

These might help: Interview with Architectural Photographers

A thread for real estate, architectural, and interior design photography

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #15616269
Architects usually don't want to pay for photography. Brokers and real estate agents often do.

I learned that about architects. Unfortunately, RE agents don't want to pay much if/when they do want to pay. They're cheap as hell. I make money doing it but I'd like to make more for the time I spend doing it.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #15616273
These might help: Interview with Architectural Photographers

A thread for real estate, architectural, and interior design photography

I already follow that thread and post in in.

I'll check out the interview. Thanks.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #15616269
Architects usually don't want to pay for photography. Brokers and real estate agents often do.

Not true at all. To get work, an architect has to submit a proposal to a potential client. The imagery in those proposals is key. They photograph all their projects and pay very well.

Try here:

http://www.aia.org …llpartial&Ntk=M​ain_Search

Filter the results by clicking on the 'Publications' category on the right side, under 'Format'; then filter again by clicking on 'Best Practices'. The resulting documents should give you an idea of what your potential clients are to do, and usually consider when thinking of commissioning photography. It can also help you to define your policies and pricing.

On an architectural project, there's more than one person involved. They can share the cost of hiring you and you can get a fair wage. You just need to really sit down with them and discuss the rights and licencing terms.

You have to go at this from the inside, so to speak. Not only in the sense of looking at things as if you were the client, but also by becoming a mite proficicient with their lingo and terminology. It pays to buy a survey book on history of architecture and to buy your copy of Architectural Digest to see the trends in architecture and the standards of photography.

Here, better that the link above (which I'm leaving there because there's more resources on the AIA's site that might help you):

Get these documents; they are more geared towards the photographer.

Alveric wrote in post #15616689
Here, better that the link above (which I'm leaving there because there's more resources on the AIA's site that might help you):

Get these documents; they are more geared towards the photographer.

Thanks a bunch. I appreciate it. Will be doing more research.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #15616520
Not true at all. To get work, an architect has to submit a proposal to a potential client. The imagery in those proposals is key. They photograph all their projects and pay very well.

I have been in engineering my whole life and and worked with lots of Architects (we have had several in house at the structural firms I was at). Non of them paid any bill on time or without trying to get a discount. Architects are the worst if you ask me.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15623754
I have been in engineering my whole life and and worked with lots of Architects (we have had several in house at the structural firms I was at). Non of them paid any bill on time or without trying to get a discount. Architects are the worst if you ask me.

They are the worst in a sense that they all think that their work is going to end up on the cover of Architectural Digest so they demand a lot from a photographer. But they still HAVE to photograph their work, no way around it. They are still people though and as such, they look for convenience. If you perform well, they will come back for more...

pixel_junkie wrote in post #15623917
They are the worst in a sense that they all think that their work is going to end up on the cover of Architectural Digest so they demand a lot from a photographer. But they still HAVE to photograph their work, no way around it. They are still people though and as such, they look for convenience. If you perform well, they will come back for more...

I have never worked with any from the photography side, just the pay our bill already your damn building would not be standing without us working our magic (structural engineering).

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #15623923
I have never worked with any from the photography side, just the pay our bill already your damn building would not be standing without us working our magic (structural engineering).

Ha ha, I know what you mean exactly. I worked with an architect for 9 years, that's how I got into architectural photography ...

Our in house guys were great at making nice pictures with color markers but when you asked how they intended to support that 40' deck with no columns under it .... they just looked at you with a blank stare lol. But when I design something it comes out kinda boring, maybe its because I engineer first then design.