Difference between
Architecture / Commercial & Real Estate Photography

Your project

To photograph your new project, you have some choices to make. The most important will be what kind of photographs you want.

If you've never worked with a professional photographer before, I put together this guide to help you choose the right photography style for your project.

Throughout the article, we’ll take a deep look into some points like the goals, process, on-site time, techniques, composition, editing, costs and budgets.

If you’d like to jump around to different sections, you can utilize the Table of Contents below.

Definition

Goals 

Process

On-site time

Techniques

Composition

Costs & Budget

Summary

Definition

At first, architectural and real estate photography seem almost like the same thing – but once you compare them side by side, they can be easily distinguished from one another.

The time allocated for Real Estate photography and Architectural photography is different, the focus differs, the composition and angles differ, the use and integration of natural light, and the level of customization differs.

Definition

ARTWORK

Architecture Photography

Architectural photography is focused on capturing the aesthetic and intention of a structure in the most interesting and unique way possible.

An architectural photographer makes pictures as pieces of an Artwork, not takes pictures.

FLOW

Real Estate Photography

Real Estate photography is about capturing the details and nuances within the structure of a home.

The goal is to understand the flow between the rooms, make the house look bright, spacious and inviting.

Goals & Usage

Definition

UNIQUE FEATURES

Architecture Photography

Architecture photography is designed to showcase a stunning visual. In other words, the photographer is aiming to bring out the subtle details or frame a photo in a way that draws the viewer into the art. The photographer does not need to capture the entire space, but rather is aiming to convey a feeling or draw out an emotion.

The goal is to capture the story, mood, styling, history, and unique features of a property.

SELL THE HOUSE

Real Estate Photography

Real estate photography aims to showcase an entire property clearly and concisely. Real Estate photographers dedicate themselves to capturing the most information that a potential home buyer may need when evaluating a property.

The goal is to show rooms and spaces in their entirety. The photographer is basically taking the potential buyer on a tour through the home, via photos.

Various industries

Architecture Photography

Architecture Photography is used by various industries: architects, builders, interior designers, hospitality, residential, healthcare, and commercial applications.
 
These photographs will be used in magazines, brochures, websites, billboards, advertising and posters. 

These photographs will last and be used for years.

Real Estate Agents

Real Estate Photography

Real Estate photography is designed to sell a house. It is used by real estate agents to show the space to future buyers and investors.

These photographs will be used in MLS, print, marketing campaigns, flyers, websites, and social media. 
 
Real Estate photos have a short life cycle, just for the purpose of selling the property (sometimes a few days, generally few weeks to few months).

Process

StepsArchitecture
Photography		Real Estate
Photography
Pre-production / Planning: 
Define your business needs
Understand copyright / licensing (cf FAQ)
Choose the best time of the day (sun tracking)
Choose a rain date (if outdoor photography)
Scout the location
Create a Pre-Shoot Brief (document that contains all the
information about the shoot: location, date, time,
what will be photographed, and who will be present at the shoot)
Create a preliminary shot list
On-site: 
Set of multiple exposures: ambient and flash photos
Set of multiple exposures: ambient photos only 
Include people in photos
Duration: Full day (or half day for small project)
Duration: Between 1h and 2h
Post Shoot: 
Proof list to choose the final photos
Extensive editing. Photos ready in 1 or 2 weeks.
Quick editing. Photos ready in 24h/48h

On Site Time & Schedule

Definition

FULL / HALF DAY

Architecture Photography

- Architectural photography takes much longer than real estate as it can take 4-12 hours on-site to even multiple days to capture a handful of photos.
- Instead of trying to capture as many photos of the property, the photographer will take their time to get the best lighting and composition for the given space.
- This involves a lot of planning as there will be additional staging, adjustments, and lighting needed to perfect the photo. 

1h - 2h

Real Estate Photography

- Real estate photography is much more time-sensitive, as real estate agents usually can’t spend much time on-site with the average time being around 1 – 2 hours.
- Editing is also on a tight timeline as real estate agents will want their listing up and running within 12 hours – 24 hours.

The speed required for the entire process is one of the major factors for why quality isn’t a match to architectural photography.

Techniques & Equipment

Techniques & EquipmentArchitecture
Photography		Real Estate
Photography
Techniques: 
High Dynamic Range Photography (HDR)
Flambient technique (Blending ambient & flash photos)
Equipment: 
Camera, remote
Heavy tripod
Small on camera flash
Medium wireless flash (200w)
Large wireless flash (600w)
Light stands
Light modifier (Umbrella, softbox, reflectors)

Composition

Composition is one of, if not the most important topic to understand as a photographer

Real Estate Matterport Floor Plan View

Architecture Photography

In photography, composition is the way to frame the subject and create a visual balance with the placement of visual elements such as shapes, colors, lines, textures, and lighting.

Architectural photography is a type of photography that captures the architectural elements of buildings and structures. It can be used for many purposes, such as promoting or documenting a building’s architecture.

Real Estate Matterport Floor Plan View

Real Estate Photography

In this view, the goal is to showcase how the kitchen flows into the dining room and into the living room. 

Real Estate Photography is less artistic and focuses on getting out as many images and angles of your listing as possible, showcasing every room of the home.

Editing

Editing is as important as the shooting itself. Editing techniques make the photo appealing to the viewer by creating moods,  drawing attention to the subject, etc...

Before and After Image Slider

EditingArchitecture
Photography		Real Estate
Photography
Techniques: 
Proof list (before the final editing) to choose the final photos
Manual blending of ambient & flash shots
Extensive editing. Photos ready in 1 or 2 weeks.
Automatic blending of ambient shots
Quick editing. Photos ready in 24h/48h
Expect 10-15 photos for half-day / 20-30 photos for a full day
Expect 30-40 photos depending of the house square footage

Costs & Budget

You can expect to pay anywhere from several hundred dollars to well over several thousand dollars per day for an experienced architectural photographer.

Definition

ARTWORK

Architecture Photography

Architecture photography is far more detailed, resulting in significantly higher quality photos that have the potential to be presented for a lifetime but come at the cost of higher fees and longer time-onsite.

The cost is driven by the time allowed for the project (scouting, full day, extensive editing) and the absolute best quality of work with a focus on all the meticulous details.

If you’re a commercial business, architect, designer, developer, or builder, I’d highly recommend utilizing a professional architectural photographer.

SPACIOUS

Real Estate Photography

Give the viewers an accurate representation of the space and how it functionally interacts with other rooms is the priority. 

Having the absolute best quality of work is not a necessity. This in turn allows photographers to lower costs to account for quality standards and turnaround time.

If you’re a homeowner, real estate agent, stager, or even Airbnb host, It’ll be cost-effective to use a Real Estate Photographer. 



Summary

Real Estate Matterport Floor Plan View

Architecture Photography

Architectural photography is focused on capturing the aesthetic and intention of a structure in the most interesting and unique way possible.

Architectural Photography projects are fully customizable; branding aspects for your business or brand come into play. Those projects will lead to more diverse, refined, high-end results. Therefore a different look & feel, let’s call it the editorial, architectural magazine style with a strong branding message, is the result. 

But If you want to show off the distinct character and art of a structure, I’d highly recommend utilizing a professional architectural photographer.

Real Estate Matterport Floor Plan View

Real Estate Photography

Real estate photography showcases properties with the intention of making a sale. 

If you want to sell a house, real estate photography is the way to go. 

Your project

If you’re looking for photographs that only need to showcase a home or commercial building and its surroundings, if your budget and time are limited then real estate photography may be all you need.

Architectural photography, on the other hand, is focused on capturing the aesthetic and intention of a structure in the most interesting and unique way possible.

But, on the other hand, If you want to show off the aesthetic, the distinct character and art of a structure in the most interesting and unique way possible, only Architectural photography could answer to these needs.

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