You’ve invested time, craft, and budget to bring a space to life. Architectural photography is how you tell that story visually, so that decision-makers, tenants, and the next great client can see the details that set your project apart.
At Aerial Innovations Southeast, we combine ground, aerial, and drone work to deliver a library of images you can use across proposals, press, leasing, and social channels.
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most, a peek into our process, and practical tips to make your architectural photoshoot smooth and successful.
What Is Architectural Photography?
Architectural photography is the art and technique of photographing buildings and the spaces around them so they look true to the design. It covers exteriors, interiors, and context, like how a structure sits in its site, how light moves through it, and how people interact with it. Unlike fast-turn real estate photos, it emphasizes accuracy (straight lines, correct color) and longevity (images you can use for years).
If you’ve searched “what is architectural photography,” you’ll often see terms like perspective control, tilt-shift lenses, twilight, and aerials. We use all of those when they serve the story.
Commercial Architectural Photography vs. Real Estate Photos
Both have their place, and knowing the difference helps you hire the right team.
- Commercial real estate favors speed and volume for listings.
- Commercial architectural photography favors control and craft for long-term brand use: award submissions, case studies, campaigns, OAC decks, and investor relations.
If your images need to hold up on a 30-foot tradeshow wall or in a national pitch, you want the latter.
Learn: How to photograph a construction site and the different types of construction photography
Best Architectural Photography Techniques from Our Pros
A lot of “technique talk” can get technical fast, so here’s how our craft translates into results you can see.
Keep Verticals True (Perspective Control)
Buildings shouldn’t look like they’re falling backwards. We correct perspective in-camera with tilt-shift lenses and sturdy tripods, then fine-tune in post so verticals are vertical and proportions feel natural. This answers the common “how to correct perspective in architectural photography” question, a challenge for even experienced photographers.
Choose The Right Time Of Day
We look at light as a design material. Morning and late-day give dimension; midday works for glassy facades; twilight makes signage and interiors glow. For key projects, we often schedule two sessions—day and blue hour—for a complete story.
Discover: When Is The Best Time to Take Photos?
Balance Mixed Light And Color
Interiors mix daylight, LEDs, and accent lighting. We blend exposures and use color-accurate profiles so materials look like they do in person. Wood stays warm, concrete stays neutral, and glass reads shiny clean.
Control Reflections And Clutter
We prep shots the way a stylist preps a set: align chairs, hide cords, remove extra signage, and manage reflections. It’s the difference between “nice” and “publication-ready.”
Compose For Scale And Wayfinding
We use leading lines and anchored foregrounds to guide the eye. When helpful, we’ll include people for scale, appropriately styled and with releases.
Capture Context From Above
Drone or helicopter work shows access, parking, amenities, and the relationship to the neighborhood. We fly at practical heights (often 40 to 200 feet) for clean lines without distortion, and we secure authorizations and permits for controlled airspace.
Maximize Sharpness Without Harshness
We shoot at the lens’s “sweet spot,” lock down the camera, and bracket where needed. In post, we apply targeted sharpening so steel looks crisp, fabric stays soft, and edges never halo. If you’ve wondered about “how to correct perspective and sharpness,” that’s the short answer.
Our Process (So Your Shoot Runs Like Clockwork)
A clear plan keeps production smooth and your team happy. Here’s what to expect from our team:
1. Discovery & Goals
We ask where the images will live: proposal covers, awards, press kits, leasing decks, and recruiting. Uses drive angles, formats, and timing.
2. Scout & Shot List
We scout in person or virtually to study sun paths, reflections, landscaping, and access. You’ll get a recommended shot list with ideal timing for each view.
3. Permits, Access, And Safety
We coordinate with property management, secure drone authorizations, provide COIs, and align on PPE for active sites. If we need lift or traffic control, we’ll arrange it.
4) Production Day
Friendly, efficient crew. We style, light judiciously, and keep our footprint small. For drone work, our Part 107 pilots operate to a safety plan that doesn’t slow your team.
5) Post-Production
Perspective correction, color work, distraction cleanup (cones, smudges), sky balance, and final polish. We can also create presentation-grade composites when needed.
6) Delivery & Organization
You’ll receive a curated gallery, web-ready and print-ready files, and logical file names by view and location. Need a hero crop sized to an RFP cover or LinkedIn banner? We’ll export those, too.
Explore: What to Expect on Photoshoot Day
Architectural Photography Tips For Clients
A little prep multiplies results. Before we break out the gear, here’s what helps most:
Exterior Prep
Reserve a few parking spots, sweep entry areas, remove temporary signage and cones, and set sprinklers so the landscaping looks fresh but walkways are dry.
Interior Prep
Replace burnt bulbs, close ceiling tiles, tidy cables, and set thermostats to prevent fogging on glass. If talent will appear, align on wardrobe (solids, neutral tones) and safety gear.
Access & Communication
Confirm keys, fobs, and elevator permissions. Identify any “no-show” tenants or sensitive areas. Share a single point of contact for fast decisions.
We’ll send a customized checklist after scouting, but this gets you 80% of the way there.
How To Shoot Architectural Photography (From A Client’s Seat)
You don’t need to be behind the camera to influence outcomes.
- Define the must-haves. Hero angles, marquee spaces, details you labored over.
- Prioritize time of day. If we only get one session, choose the lighting that best sells the story.
- Decide on people or empty. Both are valid; the choice depends on brand and usage.
- Plan for the weather. Overcast can be perfect for interiors; we’ll reschedule when sunlight or twilight is essential.
- Clarify deliverables. Quantity, orientations, retouching level, and any platform-specific crops.
We’ll guide you through each choice so the shoot fits your goals and budget.
Pricing And What Affects It
Every project is different, but scope typically depends on:
- Number of views and locations
- Daytime plus twilight vs. daytime only
- Drone or aerial requirements and airspace complexity
- Talent and styling needs
- Post-production level (clean edit vs. presentation-grade retouching)
We’ll provide a clear estimate with options, so you can scale up or down without surprises. Learn how much drone photography typically costs and what goes into pricing.
Where These Images Pay Off
- Proposals and RFPs: Hero images that make a cover sing.
- Awards and PR: Publication-ready sets with accurate lines and color.
- Leasing and Sales: Context and amenities that answer the “what’s it like to be here?” question.
- Recruiting: Culture-forward visuals for careers pages and social.
- Owner Relations: Progress documentation that reduces “what’s happening on site?” emails.
One well-planned session can fuel marketing for months. Check out our case studies next.
Architectural Photography: We’re Ready When You Are
Whether you need a single hero shot, a full “day and twilight” package, or a mix of ground, aerial, and drone, Aerial Innovations Southeast is here to help. Tell us about your project, timing, and where the images will live, and we’ll recommend the right approach and handle the rest.
If you’ve been Googling “architectural photography” or “best architectural photography techniques,” consider this your sign to bring in a team that makes the process easy and the results unmistakably professional.
Contact us for a no-pressure consultation today.