Construction photography

[Jim622]

Do we have any construction photographers in the house?
There is so much new construction going on around me. I am thinking of a side gig. I don't know where to start. I am looking for training on the subject. Does anyone have advice on where to start?

 

[Vic Moss]

I have a number of General Contractors as clients. I will tell you what not to do,. That's go to the trailer and talk to the Site Superintendent. They hate that. You're technically soliciting to them, and you'll see signs on most of the trailers stating no solicitors.

Also, if it's a large GC, they very likely have a drone team. If not, reach out to the business development or marketing person at their headquarters. Make sure you have samples to show. You'll also need at least $1M in insurance. Having OSHA training is a good idea too.

And since you're thinking about this as a "side gig", it sounds like you may not have your 107. If not, get it. GCs know the rules, and if you don't have it, they won't hire you. If you have it, make sure you are current.

And if you do get the gig, make sure you and your VO are wearing PPC. It's required.

 

[Jim622]

Thank you for the reply. Not quite what I am looking for but all good stuff.
I don't know how you assume I am not 107 certified. I believe that is stated in my signature.
I am looking for training or advice on what construction companies are looking for. I will build this into a portfolio.
I don't intend to knock on doors.
One mile from my house, a very large seven-year project is happening. The last project that this same developer did (outside of my area) used a drone service. I am local and could provide more attention than someone traveling in to do the shoot.

 

[Vic Moss]

Thank you for the reply. Not quite what I am looking for but all good stuff.
I don't know how you assume I am not 107 certified.

I wasn’t sure for the comment. Just making sure you understood. Many don’t.

I believe that is stated in my signature.
I am looking for training or advice on what construction companies are looking for. I will build this into a portfolio.
I don't intend to knock on doors.
One mile from my house, a very large seven-year project is happening. The last project that this same developer did (outside of my area) used a drone service. I am local and could provide more attention than someone traveling in to do the shoot.

If they used an out of town pilot before, and you can provide the same quality of service, it’s definitely worth a shot.

 

[Jim622]

I wasn’t sure for the comment. Just making sure you understood. Many don’t.

If they used an out of town pilot before, and you can provide the same quality of service, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Your portfolio looks impressive. Nice work.

 

[BigAl07]

I do "Construction Documentation" literally a dozen times a month.

While there was a time that a "drone operator" brought something new/unique to the jobsite and there was a very lucrative market for it, that time has long since passed. For many reasons most Build Sites already have a dedicated UAS Service Provider or they have an in-house UAS Department.

If you want to pursue this, you need to know several things:

• More often than not, the "Decision Makers" are not on site. You aren't going to get a Yes on site unless you get VERY lucky.
• We are required to have our own PPE and submit our policies and procedures to the Principal People during the initial process.
• Some of these projects can takes many months or even years to go from concept to moving dirt.
• Often they work of Purchase Orders and don't pay on the spot. Some of our "Terms" with these larger clients are NET 90. Don't run your "bank dry" because they can take a long time to pay. Know their terms in order to not get into rears trying to stay afloat.
• Be careful and know your business as it's not impossible to have to sign a long term Service Agreement with them. My last one was for 36 months of work with the package value being VERY lucrative.
• If you offer more than "just Drone" services your odds of getting the gig go up exponentially if you can offer more VALUE.
• It will help you TREMENDOUSLY to have some type of Construction Type of experience and background.
• Last but not LEAST.... don't try and BS your way in. If you don't know the industry, the LINGO, and business talk they are going to smell it and eat you up. Don't burn bridges by fluffing your way into the job.

Allen in NC

 

[Jim622]

All good information. Thank you for the reply.
I am in no way planning to approach anyone on-site. I am more professional than that.
I am looking for any training or classes on construction photography. I can Google other construction photographers and look at their portfolios for ideas. But I am looking for more than that.

 

[CadrePilot]

I do "Construction Documentation" literally a dozen times a month.

While there was a time that a "drone operator" brought something new/unique to the jobsite and there was a very lucrative market for it, that time has long since passed. For many reasons most Build Sites already have a dedicated UAS Service Provider or they have an in-house UAS Department.

If you want to pursue this, you need to know several things:

• More often than not, the "Decision Makers" are not on site. You aren't going to get a Yes on site unless you get VERY lucky.
• We are required to have our own PPE and submit our policies and procedures to the Principal People during the initial process.
• Some of these projects can takes many months or even years to go from concept to moving dirt.
• Often they work of Purchase Orders and don't pay on the spot. Some of our "Terms" with these larger clients are NET 90. Don't run your "bank dry" because they can take a long time to pay. Know their terms in order to not get into rears trying to stay afloat.
• Be careful and know your business as it's not impossible to have to sign a long term Service Agreement with them. My last one was for 36 months of work with the package value being VERY lucrative.
• If you offer more than "just Drone" services your odds of getting the gig go up exponentially if you can offer more VALUE.
• It will help you TREMENDOUSLY to have some type of Construction Type of experience and background.
• Last but not LEAST.... don't try and BS your way in. If you don't know the industry, the LINGO, and business talk they are going to smell it and eat you up. Don't burn bridges by fluffing your way into the job.

Allen in NC

Allen,
Thanks so much for the comprehensive reply.
Could you expound upon "If you offer more than "just Drone" services your odds of getting the gig go up exponentially if you can offer more VALUE."?
Thx,
Jon

 

[Parkerjh]

I am looking for any training or classes on construction photography. I can Google other construction photographers and look at their portfolios for ideas. But I am looking for more than that.

IMHO, absolutely no need for training or any classes.
I've done dozens of weekly construction update jobs on very large projects ranging from 1 - 3 years.

There are LOTS of stakeholders in a big construction project and the construction site is incredibly dynamic with constantly changing conditions. As a drone photographer: you are capturing a moment in time to quickly share with dozens or even hundreds of interested parties.

For almost every job I've ever done and am doing now, I do the same things:

• Photos taken from predictable pattern around entirety of job site from multiple angles just high enough to get entire site it frame
  
  
• Photos take from much lower altitude focusing on major points of activity
  
  
• Video clips - extremely slow moving around entirety of job site from every angle
  
  
• Ortho photo of job site

I will also do "special events" across the project to document when milestones are reached or specific things requested by whomever hired me: topping off ceremonies are always a big one for example.

Note that the GC isn't always the one to be doing the hiring. It could be them, project manager, architect, owner's representative, structural engineer, investor, municipality (if city job), lender, etc.

It may be true that some big GC firms have their own drone department, but I work for several of the largest GC's in my metropolitan area and none of them do.

 

[Jim622]

All good information. I appreciate all of the replies.

 

[BigAl07]

Allen,
Thanks so much for the comprehensive reply.
Could you expound upon "If you offer more than "just Drone" services your odds of getting the gig go up exponentially if you can offer more VALUE."?
Thx,
Jon

We offer your standard Aerial Images & Video but also offer various Add-Ons for an upcharge.

In addition to the standard items we offer:

• Standard ground photography
• Pole Mounted Time Lapse Job site imaging
• 3D Tours (interior)
• LIDAR Scanning for Engineering purposes
• 3D Modeling of the build site
• 360/Spherical Imaging

We are a One-Stop-Shop in terms of Construction Documentation.