Scouting - Location Research Before a Shoot

Location research before a shoot, or scouting, is used mainly in film, but it is also very important in photography. If you photograph architecture and interiors, you should get to know the space before the shoot itself.

Scouting lets you plan the shoot more precisely. You can find out, for example, what time is best for a specific space or view, whether the lobby of an office building should be photographed outside the lunch break, whether the space needs cleaning, or whether shooting from the building opposite must be arranged because the photographed building will stand out better.

It is best to visit the location with the author of the project so they can explain it in more detail and you can understand what is key for the client and the space. This also connects with building the story. For larger companies it may be useful to have marketing people present alongside the architect, because they may already have a promotion plan for the space and can direct you well.

Scouting demonstrates professionalism and helps eliminate many problems before the shoot. You get to know the space and can also capture the practical usability of the building, which can later appear in your photographs. Overall, you increase the quality of the final output, save production time and strengthen trust.

Agree with clients on a preliminary location visit, prepare questions about the space, take reference photographs, create a moodboard or storyboard, and make a task list for the shoot, such as cleaning, raising blinds or moving furniture. Use apps such as Sun Surveyor, Sun Calc, Google Maps, Street View or Meteogram to make the work easier.

Unfortunately, not every client will allow access to the project before the shoot. The reasons are usually time and cost. In that case, use all available materials online or ask the client for details, construction photos, 3D models or sketches.

20 January 2020 - Architectural photographer Jiří Bednář