Shooting buildings

Images are everywhere — never more so than since the advent of social media — and they are often the first way buildings are experienced. Architectural photography is no longer just about capturing a building; it’s about telling a story, engaging an audience, and giving architecture an authoritative presence in an increasingly visual world.

This will be an evening dedicated to helping architects capture their own projects effectively. Whether you are working on small-scale projects or large developments, this talk will provide practical guidance, creative suggestions, and technical recommendations to help you accurately and confidently control the visual recording of your work.

We will begin with a brief history of architectural photography and explore how it has shaped and defined architectural movements over time. From there, we will discuss what makes a good architectural photograph or film.

The tools of the trade will be discussed, with a focus on maximising results using the equipment you might already have, as well as considering what might be shrewd investments going forward.

We will then focus on composition, balance, and storytelling, before moving into editing. This will begin with the technical aspects — composition, exposure, and colour correction — and conclude with the atmospheric side of post-production, including grading, tone, and character.

Finally, we will cover dissemination — how images travel across print, digital, and social platforms, and how that circulation shapes perception.

Simon Kennedy is an architectural photographer and filmmaker currently living in Caversham.

Simon trained as an architect and, after several years working with MacCormac Jamieson Prichard and Metropolitan Workshop, chose to follow his passion for photography. He now works with practices of all sizes — from established firms such as Hopkins, Arup and SimpsonHaugh, to medium-sized studios like Moxon and Haptic, and smaller, up-and-coming studios including McCoy and Muchemwa and BAT Studio.

Filming and Photography

By accepting an invitation or purchasing a ticket you have consented to being photographed, filmed or recorded as a visitor attending the event for all general purposes in relation to the event including without limitation, publicity and promotional purposes. You consent to us using your voice, name and/or likeness, without compensation, for exploitation in promotional and publicity materials, online, books, newspapers, newsletters, magazine articles and social marketing whenever we choose to do so, in perpetuity.

Ticket prices

We charge a nominal fee for our tickets. However, if you are suffering hardship or financial constraint, please email us and we will be able to help.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher RIBA Berkshire