Duties: Records site progress for builders, architects, contractors, and others; takes notes on what is being photographed and angle of view (i.e., 18th floor interior, east to west); creates estimates; handles billing; creates prints and digital images; may appear as witness in court cases between builders and subcontractors, with photographs used as evidence of work progress and specific work being done
Alternate Title(s): Architectural Photographer, Building Photographer
Salary Range: $35,000 to $60,000+
Best Geographical Location(s): Major cities with ongoing construction needs, such as New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami (and other parts of Florida), Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
Education or Training ? Two or four year degree in photography; digital camera and design software training Experience ? Minimum, several years of experience as a commercial photographer; some experience in or familiarity with construction and building equipment and materials helpful
Special Skills and Personality Traits ? Technologically adept; comfortable with heights; physically fit; focused, able to concentrate amid extreme noise and disruption; versatile communicator, able to work with variety of professionals, from construction crew to building owners; organized; decisive
Position Description
The Construction Photographer is the visual diarist of the construction of any private, industrial, governmental, or other building project for technical or legal considerations. Depending on the photography assignment, he or she may maintain a photographic project history from the first shovel to break ground to the final ribbon-cutting ceremony. In some cases, Construction Photographers are hired to photograph interiors, to document floor-by-floor progress of office and apartment buildings.
Such photographs provide construction management with visual support of worksite progress. The architect tracks construction details and monitors the brick-and-mortar progress, from delivery of wet cement to placement of door and window apertures. The Construction Photographer photographs workers installing heating, air-conditioning, and water and sewage flow systems. Most of the work typically takes place during business hours on weekdays. Construction Photographers may work after hours or on weekends for special once-only moments, such as groundbreaking ceremonies, the removal of hoists, and the ?topping-off? parties, celebrated when the tops of large buildings and skyscrapers are completed.
A Construction Photographer?s primary tools are small, handheld digital cameras with all-weather imaging capability that work even in difficult lighting conditions or in corners of the construction site. The photographer works from notes provided by the on-site offices as requested by responsible project participants, ranging from the insurance company, the bank, the architect?s quality-control manager, and others. Construction Photographers may photograph at the site daily, weekly, monthly, or at any other time frame as required. They photograph in some kind of sequence, to visually match the progress of the construction. Each photographer sets this up differently. For instance, each time visiting the site, the photographer may photograph the outside of the building first, then photograph three floors, shooting every third floor until reaching the top, then starting from the bottom for the next sequence.
When Construction Photographers arrive at the site, they check in with the construction manager and safety manager for a status report on the building?s progress and any particular work or blasting that they should be aware of. Photographers may request ladders from the field tool room for higher views or for security assistance before ascending to aim cameras where girders meet the sky. They work closely with the quality-control team members to confirm size of wood and steel before riveting or concrete deliveries. Construction Photographers keep timed records and data on the number of exposures they make and special listings of unusual features to e-mail or fax to the photography project manager. They also keep track of job-related expenses and maintain receipts for authorized expenses.
Construction Photographers obey all safety rules, such as donning a hard hat and wearing an orange outer vest so construction workers, tracker and truck drivers, and other operators of large equipment can easily see them. Photographers must also keep their wits about then when on a site, always keeping aware of any calls or horns signaling blasting or work breaks.
When builders have disputes with subcontractors, they may ask Construction Photographers to appear in court as witnesses to the work being done. The photographers will document the work that has been accomplished and what needs to be addressed. Builders also use photographs to assure people financing the work that the work they have paid for has been completed.
Salaries
Construction Photographers can earn annual salaries ranging from $35,000 to $60,000 or more for their technical skills and their commitment to traveling to construction sites and working in all-weather conditions. Some may earn higher wages based on their years of experience, special skills, or the nature of the project they are covering. Large and smaller companies offer periodic salary growth for staff photographers, often slightly in advance of the changing cost of living index.
Employment Prospects
The construction industry is a vital American growth industry. Most commercial construction projects require photographers on site, so demand is steady and openings can be numerous. The building industry is reaching new growth heights in construction of major downtown, waterside, and new industrial parks, private-home communities, and resort cities. New commercial zones with funding underway have been established from private, state, and federal government upgrading of older facilities. Other major construction projects that are on the rise are new or renovated prisons, the replacement and extension of schools in high density inner cities, and the modernization of office and service facilities.
Advancement Prospects
There is no specific job to which Construction Photographers can advance. They can explore photographing different aspects of buildings. They can move into architectural photography and other disciplines.
Education and Training
An associate?s or bachelor?s degree in photography is usually recommended for work as a Construction Photographer. Digital camera and design software training is required.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
A background in construction or building trades, with some knowledge of architecture, is helpful in this field. Construction photographers should be decisive and self-confident, with natural flexibility for moving from close-up details to overall views. They are competent, extroverted, and unfazed by weather, noise, massive equipment, and heights. Construction Photographers must be physically fit and mentally equipped to handle working outdoors in buildings that, for the most part, are not enclosed. Climbing stairs and walking planks at extreme heights is a big part of this job. Construction Photographers must be prepared with proper safety equipment: protective pants, jackets, boots, hard hats, safety harnesses if needed, and more. They stay tuned into their environment and have extremely good communication skills. As they move about the sites, they always make sure that where they plan to head is safe and won?t disrupt the work.
Unions and Associations
There are no associations or unions specifically dedicated to Construction Photographers. Primary associations Con- struction Photographers can join for educational resources and other benefits include Professional Photographers of America, Advertising Photographers of America, and American Society of Media Photographers.
Tips for Entry
1. Check your community for ongoing construction of major buildings. Visit the streetside trailer office and see if you can speak with the project managers. Ask when the Construction Photographer will next be on site.
2. If the Construction Photographer is based locally, call and ask if you can set up a meeting and the possibility of volunteering to assist, or trail, for a day on the site.
3. Look through local phone directories and do a Google search for local Construction Photographers. Contact them and set up meetings.
4. Contact local commercial photographers to ask if they make periodic photos of building projects. Ask about summer or freelance work opportunities.
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