This week’s guest blogger is Phillip Ennis, a photographer in the NYC area whose specialty is interiors and architectural photography.  His clients range from the hospitality industry, consumer electronics, home and office products to architecture and interior design firms.  His latest endeavors have included promotional videos for his clients.  He also travels to Central America and to Kenya to do philanthropic work for non-governmental organizations. For more information, see www.phillipennis.com. 

We became familiar with Phillip’s work after seeing some of the beautiful photographs he has taken of Larry Laslo’s design projects. We asked Phillip to share some of his favorite interiors and the advice he gives to designers arranging for photography of their work.

Phillip Ennis, Phillip Ennis Photography:

I’m frequently contacted by designers who arranged for photography of their interiors and were disappointed with the results.  So I’ve put together the six points I feel are most important for a designer to consider before embarking upon this journey.

Photo by Phillip Ennis, Stuart Narofsky Architect (NYC)

Hire the right photographer

Designers hire the wrong photographers for their projects all the time. A great portrait or travel photographer, or a wedding photographer, may not be able to illuminate, compose and capture a custom home interior as well as someone who has years of expertise in this field. In addition to a focal point, mood and a sense of scale are critical components of a great interior shot. Experience Counts.

Photo by Phillip Ennis, interior by Larry Laslo Designs (Interior Designer, NYC)

Review their portfolio

A photographer’s portfolio will tell you what you need to know about them. A successful interior photographer has the sensibility as to what the final result should look like.  Interior photography is an art, much like what you do. See if you like his or her work. 

Photo by Phillip Ennis, interior by Barbara Lane Associates (Interior Designer, NYC)

Lighting is key

Successfully photographing a custom home requires careful and considered placement of specialized lighting that most photographers don’t carry, let alone know how to use or where to place.  In addition to selective camera angles, the light must be controlled and shaped to complement the interior’s ambiance. 

Photo by Phillip Ennis, interior by Larry Laslo Designs (Interior Designer, NYC)

Quality counts

 In addition to using photography in your portfolio to present to potential clients, you’ll probably want to submit these images to magazines, books, bloggers and others who can help publicize your work.  They are going to be drawn to quality photography.  Why photograph your work at all if the images don’t look at least as good as the room appears in person?

Photo by Phillip Ennis, interior by Barbara Lane Associates (Interior Designer, NYC)

Understand the usage you’re purchasing

If used to their fullest, great photography keeps on giving long after the original creation.  In many cases, most photographers license their photography to a client for either a duration of time or an agreed upon type of use.  Ask and have an open dialogue with your photographer about rights and usage. If you want to use the images in public on web sites, in magazines, etc., you need to secure these rights in advance.  Often there will be manufacturers of products within your project who may want to use the photography – this needs to be negotiated in advance of the shoot. An editorial credit in a magazine or brochure, or a clickable link on a web site or an on-line version of an article where the photographs will appear may all be of interest to your photographer so consider these when negotiating your usage agreement.

Photo by Phillip Ennis, interior by Circa Designs (Interior Designer, Westport, CT)

Determine the criteria needed for successful rendition of your project

Ask your web designers, magazines, your printer (if you plan to print brochures) and anyone else who will implement the photographs of your work, what size the finished files are to be, what color space they should be in and any other criteria they feel are needed to ensure the successful rendition of your project.

Photo by Phillip Ennis, Stuart Narofsky Architect (NYC)

A closing thought

 I’ll end with one of “The Ten Commandments of Architecture,” which was written by Jim Childress, a partner of Centerbrook Architects in Connecticut:

“Thou Shalt Not Compartmentalize”

“In addition to the importance of understanding good design, thou should write well, spell correctly, figure out how to get jobs and keep clients happy, take out the trash, make a good cup of Joe, be able to build models, master sustainability as well as the latest technological tools.  Do all this and more.  EXCEPT hire a really good professional to photograph your work.  It will pay off in awards and in landing new jobs.”