Architectural and Construction Photographer in Dallas, for Architects, Developers and Contractors
I'm Ray Payne, a Dallas architectural photographer and FAA Part 107 drone pilot. I photograph commercial buildings, interiors and construction projects for the people who design, build and lease them.
I've spent more than 30 years on job sites and in plants, so I'm at home on a building before it's finished. I can show the same project from the ground, from inside and from the air.
Projects
Balfour Beatty: a downtown Dallas high-rise.
My stills and drone footage of the tower going up ran on the cover and inside Balfour Beatty's annual report, which won Best Annual Report (Mid Cap) at the IR Magazine Awards Europe.
Cushman & Wakefield: 2400 Glenville.
Exterior drone video for a commercial property overview. I directed, shot, flew the drone and edited.
The Plaza at Preston Center.
A promotional video for the property.
Gray Construction.
Stills and drone video of large construction projects, including a chip manufacturing facility.
Post Oak high-rise, Houston.
Architectural photos of a high-rise in Houston's Post Oak district, for the real estate company that managed the property.
From my portfolio: the Winspear Opera House in Dallas.
What I photograph
Commercial exteriors, timed for the light that suits the facade
Lobbies, offices, boardrooms and other interiors
Construction projects, from site work to the finished building
Aerials of buildings, campuses and sites
Detail shots of materials and finishes
How I shoot buildings
I use Sony cameras and perspective control to keep vertical lines straight. Exteriors get scheduled around the sun, often at golden hour. Interiors get lit so the space looks the way it feels when you stand in it. Everything is retouched and color-corrected in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
Related services
For aerials of the same site, see my drone photography and aerial video. Plant and job-site work is on my industrial photography page, and property walk-throughs are on my video production page.
Send me the address, what stage the project is at, and how you'll use the photos. I'll come back with a shoot plan and a full estimate.
Questions I get from architects and contractors
Do you photograph buildings that are still under construction?
Yes. I've photographed and flown several Balfour Beatty projects under construction, around Dallas-Fort Worth and in Atlanta. My photos of a downtown Dallas high-rise going up ran on the cover of their annual report. I'm comfortable on active job sites and follow your site's PPE rules.
Do you shoot interiors?
Yes. Lobbies, offices, boardrooms and other workspaces, lit so the space reads clearly and the color is accurate.
Can you add drone aerials?
Yes. I'm FAA Part 107 certified and insured. Near airports I get FAA authorization through LAANC before I fly.
When is the best time to shoot an exterior?
It depends on which way the building faces. I check the sun's path for your site and schedule the shoot for the best light, often golden hour.
Who owns the photos?
You do. I give my clients all rights to the work, so you can use it anywhere without going back to me for permission.