D'Arcy Leck

I have been researching Architectual Photography lately.  I have always taken an interest in Pictures of Resorts and Hotels, thinking it would be great to be paid to travel to 4 or 5 star resorts and spend a few days photographing there.  I found a Photographer named D'Arcy Leck, who has a website full of amazing pictures.  I emailed her some questions and she responded with helpful advice I thought I would share with the class incase someone else was interested in Architecture Photography as a career.

THIS IS A LINK TO HER WEBSITE

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Jeremy,

I hope you really love architecture photography, because you are going to have to to keep you going in this business. It is a tough one lately. Slow rate of new building – therefore slow rate of photography jobs. But it is nice work when you can get it.

I started out years ago in the film era. It was a little more challenging then to get it right the first time. Now people just rely on looking at the LED screen on the camera to see and correct their mistakes , which has led to a lot more competition from wannabes. I started in architecture by getting a few small jobs with Anderson Windows and then Pella Windows. From there I grew it. I decided to expand it to hotels. Having no portfolio in this area I created one. I just went into  interesting hotels and took what pictures I could get and then built a portfolio from there and eventually got some jobs.

You get what you show is the saying in photography. If you want architecture jobs then you have to show people architecture in your portfolio. And that goes for any specific area in architecture.

I learned to light using additional lighting used in balance with the existing lighting, and I still think that is the best way. I use supplemental strobes and tungsten lights in a way so that it is hard to tell they are there. I have incorporated HDR into my bag of tricks as it can do some good things if used lightly.

You won’t find any full time (employee) jobs in architecture photography. I haven’t heard of one or seen one for a long time. It is something done by independents and freelancers. Just keep building your portfolio and showing it around and eventually the jobs will start coming if you have some talent.

Good luck

D’Arcy Leck

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