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How to Take Stunning Metal Roofing, Metal Siding or Building Photos
- Shannon Clark
- May 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Capturing high-quality, stunning photos of buildings and houses is essential for showcasing metal roofing, metal siding, and whole building projects. Whether you’re a contractor, real estate agent, or marketing professional, great photos can make a significant difference in how your projects are perceived. In this blog, we’ll walk you through essential tips and recommended angles to capture professional, impactful images of buildings, focusing on metal roofing metal siding shots.
Why Quality Building Photos Matter
High-quality photos highlight your craftsmanship and make a strong impression. They’re not only useful for marketing but also for documentation, client presentations, and creating an online portfolio. The right photos can help potential clients visualize your work and build confidence in your expertise.
Essential Equipment for Building Photography
Camera/Smartphone: Use high-resolution settings to capture crisp details.
Drone: Ideal for capturing aerial shots that highlight the metal roof or steel siding layout. (Possibly the most important tool you can use for metal roofing marketing.)
DJI Drones are great, and they have a wide variety of options with varying prices to match a range of budgets.
Tripod (Optional): Keeps your shots steady and consistent, reducing motion blur.
The Basics: Preparing for the Shoot
Before you start photographing, make sure the area is clean and free of obstructions. Clear away any debris, tools, or vehicles that could detract from the building’s appearance. Check the weather to ensure ideal lighting conditions, and plan your angles to make the most of the setting.
The Essentials: Must-Have Angles for Building and Roof Photography
Gathering photos doesn't have to be super time consuming. If you want to keep it simple, but still have great photos, hit these 5 angles (or even just the first 3), and call it a day!
Front Elevation: A straight-on, centered shot showcasing the building’s main face. Keep your drone backed up, at about mid-level of the building's height. Note, ensure the entire building from left to right is visible in the shot.
4 Corners Perspectives: Captures depth and profile, offering a more dynamic view. Be sure to get all 4 corners of the building. Bring your drone above the building at each corner, tilt the camera down, and snap the picture!
Aerial Shot: Offers a comprehensive view of the roof or siding layout, captured via drone. For this, bring your drone high above the building, then tilt the camera all the way down. For roofing, this is a vital image!
Corner View Closer: Combines two sides for a three-dimensional perspective.
Closer Corner View of Charcoal DuraLock 150 Standing Seam Metal Roof from True Metal Supply Close-Ups: Highlight specific features or craftsmanship details.
Tips for Aerial Shots
Aerial shots are crucial for roofing and siding photography. Use a drone to get elevated perspectives that show the entire roof or siding structure. Follow local regulations when operating a drone, and aim for multiple heights to provide varied views, including straight-down shots that fully capture the roof.
If you follow the simple steps above, you'll be a pro of social media! In the following steps, we'll offer a few more advanced options for those interested.
Advanced: Lighting and Composition
Optimal lighting is key to quality building photos. When possible, shoot during the golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) when the light is soft and warm. Overcast days are also great for minimizing harsh shadows. For composition, follow the rule of thirds to balance your images, and use leading lines like pathways to draw the eye toward the building.
Super Advanced: Editing and Post-Processing
Once you’ve captured your shots, enhance them through basic editing. Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to make the image pop while keeping the colors true to life. Remove unwanted debris or tools, add landscaping or swap out the sky for a more interesting photo. Cropping and straightening help maintain professional composition, and subtle sharpening can bring out roof or siding details. However, try to affect the products as little as possible, so you can keep a true representation of the color and product.
Final Thoughts
Taking quality building photos takes practice, but with the right techniques and a little planning, you can capture impressive shots that showcase your work. Try different angles and include an aerial view for roofing, siding, and whole building projects. These efforts will help you create visually appealing, professional photos that make a lasting impact.
Want your project featured on social media? Follow this useful blog guide, and then email your submission to info@truemetalsupply.com
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