Roger Wade Studio, Inc.

We recently received an email of a New York Times article regarding the grim state of affairs in the publishing world, stating that no less than 428 magazine titles folded in 2009 alone. All of us connected to this industry, publishers, editors, writers, ad sales reps, have without a doubt felt the economic strain of this implosion. That said, how can we not applaud the courage of two longtime supporters and believers in the log and timber home publication niche? We are excited to be a part of those contributing their skills and talents to Log Cabin Homes, a new title in the Homestead Communications group of magazines, with publisher Joe Varda and editor-in-chief Diane Hintz at the helm.

Log Cabin Homes Magazine

Joe and Diane have a vision for their magazine: that it will be well received in this recession by those consumers who have still held on to their dreams of someday owning a log home. Their target audience is the Baby Boomers. That generation which has enjoyed prosperity during their working years and are in the market for second homes, or getting ready to downsize their primary homes as they become empty nesters. The magazine will also reach out to outdoor enthusiasts and individuals interested in ways to create an energy efficient dwelling. Each of the bimonthly issues will include practical information to consumers, such as how to find and select property suitable for log and timber home construction, how to finance the construction of a log home, green building solutions, log home design trends, and log home maintenance. Home features will run in each issue as well, beautifully illustrated with professional photography to inspire the reader, along with floor plans of the home, and design and construction tips from the homeowners themselves.

One of the things that excites us most about the magazine is that it will feature homes ranging from tiny getaway cabins to magnificent lodges for great family retreats. This provides a new venue for many of our clients’ projects to be shown. In fact, one of our photos graces the front cover, and two of the home tours inside the magazine are projects that we photographed.

The premier issue is July/August and the 9×12 format magazine hits the newsstand for sale on May 18th. Watch for it, and let us know what you think of the new kid on the block.

The plum is a type of stone fruit related to cherries, peaches, apricots and almonds. It runs the gamut in taste from sweet to tart and in colors ranging from green to yellow, red to deep purple. Around 430 different species of the Prunus genus are found around the globe in the northern temperate regions of the planet.

In spring, white/pink flowers bloom in a fragrant display in an effort to be pollinated and develop into fruit. Plums are juicy and very delicious, contain several antioxidants and aid in regulating our digestive system (think prune juice).

Plums, photo by Flagstaffotos

Why am I telling you about plums, an inquisitive reader might ask? Well I just so happen to be lucky enough to have three mature plum trees in my backyard!

Towards the end of summer, when green plums begin to develop to a crimson-violet, I anxiously anticipate the coming frosts that catalyze the ripening fruit. On these crisp fall mornings, when I leave for work, coffee in hand, I pass by my treasured plums and grab a handful for my daily commute to the office. And on days when I’m feeling particularly generous, I’ll even pick a bunch to take down to Debbie and Roger.

In all truthfulness, however, this exercise in goodwill does conceal a vein of self-benefit. For, you see, Debbie makes one of the best plum tortes I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. Plums freeze very well, so any fruit that doesn’t get eaten fresh are harvested and frozen in zip lock bags for mid-winter torte surprises.

If you would like to try your hand at creating this delicious desert (or breakfast!), the New York Times has a recipe on how to make your very own torte.

Yep, there’s nothing quite like Debbie’s plum torte in the dead of winter…except, perhaps, her chewy ginger cookies that show up around and after the holidays. But that’s for another post altogether…

On the day of the shoot, especially if no one will be on hand to assist in the production, there are several important details that that photographer should be made aware of. What is the site availability for the shoot dates? How soon may the photographer arrive on location and how late may the photographer remain? Will keys and alarm codes be made available? Are all areas and rooms accessible?

It is best if the site has been cleaned prior to the day of the shoot. Windows should be streak and dust free, ideally with screens removed. Some window shades are mechanically operated. The photographer or stylist should be instructed to their operation as well as to the operations of ceiling fans, air conditioning and lights. Air conditioning zones may need to be turned off to prevent air blowing out of vents from moving curtains and other light objects.

Exterior Lights Provide an "At Home" Feeling

A Roaring Fire & Candles Adds Ambience

Interior and exterior lights should all be functioning and burned out bulbs should be replaced. Do the exterior lights operate on photocells, timers or switches? The photographer should know how to turn them on for exterior views. Candles can add greatly to the ambiance of a photo. Can the candles available on-site be lit? A roaring fire adds color and coziness to a scene. Can the fireplaces be lit? Is the gas on and dampers open? Is wood available for use?

Are water features functioning with water flowing? Will the photographer be able to turn them on and off? Sprinkler systems should be entirely turned off for the shoot. There’s nothing worse than the sprinkler system turning on during a killer exterior shot.

Front Entry With Fountains at Twilight

Kitchen with Fresh Veggies and Place Settings

Styling an architectural space can be subtle or quite obvious. Either way, it serves to draw the viewer into the space itself, enables one to imagine being inside the photo. Most often, props for styling are found and used within the rooms of the project itself. In addition to using what is available on-site, it is helpful to have standard items for certain rooms. Fresh fruits and vegetables work well for styling kitchen shots. Place settings adorning the dining room tables and kitchen bars break up flat surfaces and invite the viewer to “relax…sit down”. Fresh flowers and green plants literally bring life to a room. Wine, warm brie and bread set on a low table in front of a crackling fire evokes a sense of contentment and well-being in the space. These types of props can be supplied by the client, homeowners or stylist. The details of providing props should be discussed in advance of the shoot, so that everything is available for use when the shoot begins.

We hope this article has answered many of the questions common to photographing architectural spaces and helps you prepare for your next shoot. A little pre-planning and foresight can go a long way in making sure that a photography shoot goes off without a hitch and everyone is happy with the results. We look forward to hearing from you and servicing you soon.

There are many preparations to be made before photography production can begin and it is best to think through the following points before the day of the shoot. Before a shoot can begin, we will need to know all the parties and contact info that wish to be involved in the photography production. This should include office and after-hours numbers in case it is necessary to contact a client during the shoot. We also need to know contact information for the building owner and maintenance personnel if applicable. In most cases a signed confirmation and cash deposit will be required prior to commencement.

Questions that need to be answered before the shoot include: How much documentation of the project is desired? Will all participating parties want the same shots or are different shots required? How many interior and exterior views will be needed? Which rooms and spaces should be photographed? What about vignettes and detail shots? Twilight shots?

Summer Splendor

Screened Porch With Fall Colors

When choosing photography date(s) one should have an idea of the quantity of photography required and the length of time involved to produce it. In a typical eight-hour day we can photograph about 14 views. Twilight shots may require an extra half day or overtime to complete. Other considerations include whether or not the site will be occupied during shooting and if the owner, client or representative will be on site. The time of year a project is photographed can have important ramifications on the “feel” of the photography and the message being conveyed. Seasonal considerations include the typical weather for the time of year being photographed, tree color, flowers, snow and seasonal decorations.

Winter Twilight

Spring Greens Add Color And Life

There are also important site considerations that the photographer should know about beforehand. How is the site situated in relation to morning and evening sun? Do trees, buildings or other objects cast unseemly shadows or block views? Will construction and landscaping be completed before the day of the shoot? Will building materials and equipment be removed?

Thinking about the important aspects of a shoot beforehand and knowing the answers to these critical questions ensures that everyone is well prepared and in agreement on what needs to be accomplished when the photographer arrives.

Next up: Day of the Shoot. The conclusion coming soon…

Architectural photographers, like all artists, own the copyright to their work. Photographic fees are actually a client’s cost to license the rights to use a photograph in a certain way for a specified period of time. Rights packages vary by the type of usage and the value that the architectural or interior photography brings to each client.

Master Bathroom

Many of our clients choose to purchase marketing and promotional rights, which covers usage such as brochures, web use, portfolio and display prints. Some purchase additional rights such as editorial use, which allow them the ability to submit to publications and grant magazines the right to publish the photography without compensation to the photographer. Industry exclusive use enables the licensee to be the sole user of the photography, prohibiting the photographer from licensing use to others in the same industry. This exclusivity comes as an added value to the licensee, however, and it is more costly than non-exclusive use.

Rear Elevation with Terrace and Pool

Purchasing the minimum amount of rights, tailored to each client’s specific needs, provides the best possible value in the photographic investment. If you provide us with a description of how the photography is intended to be used, we can determine the correct licensing package for you.

Coming Soon: The Day of the Shoot

If you have a project that you would like documented, the first step is to send us a description of the space including its name, location, size, style, construction materials, environment and any other pertinent information. Scouting photos of the exterior angles and interior rooms are very helpful in developing a production plan and give the photographer and stylist valuable information for determining the amount of preparation and styling needed for different views.

Scouting Photo of Overall Elevation

Scouting Photo of Property Scenery

In most cases, there are many different parties that have worked together to create an architectural space. Architects, builders, designers, contractors and sub-contractors all have a need for professional documentation of their craft. Many times, interested parties can “cost-share” a photography shoot to save money on the production of the images. Splitting the expenses of a shoot can be a great way to lower the cost and maximize the value of your photography. We’re happy to contact project participants to determine their level of interest in obtaining photos of their work, if supplied with contact information.

Scouting Photo of Great Room

Scouting Photo of Downstairs

Our studio has extensive editorial contacts at many national and regional magazines across the country. As a major part of our client services, we are continually submitting projects we photograph in order to gain exposure for our clients. If you are wondering if your project has potential for publication, send scouting shots to us and we will be more than happy to visit with you about the possibilities for placement.

Stay tuned for our next installment on photography licensing.

Photographing an architectural space is a large undertaking - requiring planning, communication and resource management among multiple parties. A typical shoot generally takes a day or more to complete, depending on the size of the space and the quantity of views ordered. To assist our clients with the preparations for photographing an architectural project, we have put together some information explaining different aspects that should be addressed prior to a shoot and what to expect during photography production.

Great Room Towards Fireplace

Front Entry

I will be publishing a series of blog posts over the coming days concerning the following topics: The Project and Interested Parties, Licensing, Before the Shoot and Day of the Shoot. We hope these articles will answer many of the questions common to photographing architectural spaces and help you prepare for your next project. A little pre-planning and foresight can go a long way in making sure that a photography shoot goes off without a hitch and everyone is happy with the results. We look forward to hearing from you and servicing you soon.

We have found the perfect photo book. A small publishing company is producing coffee-table style books exclusively for professional photographers and designers. They offer many different styles of books, from leather hardcovers to full bleed softcovers. Their product line comes in a variety of sizes, page finishes and with up to 100 pages per book.

The books can be used for many different purposes - wedding memories, landscape photography, resale or marketing. We have used them for several different projects and recently had them make us a 20 page 7×7 softcover promotional piece highlighting Roger’s architectural photography and we were very pleased with the results.

Full Bleed Cover

Pages 16 & 17

This relatively new, but quickly growing business model of high quality, small order, print-on-demand self-publishing has enabled photographers, as well as authors, designers and small businesses to surmount the price barrier of publication and to get their message seen by a larger audience via a professional and polished product.

Although a bit of design knowledge and Photoshop expertise are often requisites for individuals or companies looking to self publish, the results can be fantastic and very customizable to individual needs.

If anyone is interested in the idea of making a book to showcase their professional work, we are new representatives and are pleased to offer our professional services in designing and creating your vision. Please contact us for more information.

It’s the end of November. The leaves have fallen, the skies are gray and each day is a bit darker and colder than the one that preceded it. With the final chapter of this tumultuous year being written in the coming weeks, we look with quiet optimism to the future and what it has in store and reflect on the family and friends around us for which we will be forever grateful.

From all of us at Roger Wade Studio, we wish you and your family a very special Thanksgiving Day.

    For each new morning with its light,

    For rest and shelter of the night,

    For health and food, for love and friends,

    For everything Thy goodness sends.

        ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

John Hendricks, AIA, of Hendricks Architecture in Sandpoint, Idaho, managed to find time between designing stunning mountain homes to write an interesting post on his blog detailing the importance of interior designers, their role within the design process and how they can actually save you money in the long run:

Interior designers specialize in choosing color schemes, as well as selecting furnishings, fixtures and finishes. Anyone who has ever attempted to do something as seemingly uncomplicated as selecting coordinated fixtures for a home, or choosing interior finishes that work well together knows that the sheer number of choices is overwhelming.

Researching and shopping for fixtures can be incredibly time consuming, and having someone come to you that knows how to select and source these products is a huge time saver. I have seen homeowners attempt the task of decorating a large house, only to be overwhelmed and eventually taking over a year to furnish it incompletely. Interior designers are not free, but they can complete the task in a much smaller amount of time, and can actually save owners on costs. These cost savings may be in the form of cost discounts, more cost effective fixtures, and “time is money” savings.

Interior designer Jane Scott worked closely with Hendricks Architecture to achieve a cohesive vision for this understated but striking mountain home.

More photos of the property here.

Front 3/4 Elevation

Living Room Towards Kitchen