01.
Getting Started
We work with interior designers, architects, custom home builders, remodelers, general contractors and specialty contractors across Sacramento County. Cabinet makers, landscape designers, and trade specialists too. If you build or design something and need it to look as good in photos as it does in person, that's what we do.
Three things. Architectural photography for portfolios, websites, and publication submissions. Video testimonials that turn a happy homeowner into a sales tool. And social media content production, where we film and deliver ready-to-post content each month. Most clients start with one and add the others once they see how much comes from a single shoot day.
Sacramento County is our home base, which is how we keep turnaround fast and availability open for local clients. We regularly shoot in Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills, Davis, and Elk Grove. Projects outside the county are considered case by case and may include a travel fee. Ask us. We say yes more often than not.
We’re not a generalist agency, and we’re not guessing from behind a desk. Our team includes engineers and a soon-to-be licensed architect, and we’ve been on job sites, so we know how built work comes together and what details matter most. We only shoot built spaces, which means every image and video is made to feel true-to-life and help build trust in the work.
Most projects are booked two to three weeks out. If you're working toward a project completion date, a publication deadline, or a campaign launch, reach out earlier. Video testimonials require us to take BEFORE photo and video content so these have to be booked before demolition occurs. Spring and summer book up fastest. A quick heads-up call months ahead costs nothing and locks in your date on our calendar.
Four steps. First, we start with a call to understand the project and your goals. Second, we shape the direction - scope, creative approach, schedule. Third, we shoot on site. Lastly, we edit and deliver your content ready to post, print, or submit. You'll know what's happening at every stage. No surprises, no chasing us for updates.
02.
Architectural Photography
Yes. It's called a Shared Media Package and it's usually the smartest way to book. If a designer and a contractor both want images from the same project, you split the shoot cost and each get the full set with your own Lifetime License. Two businesses, one shoot day, roughly half the price each. The one catch: it has to be arranged before we shoot. Licensing images to a second party after the fact costs more than including them from the start. So if there's a partner on the project, tell us early.
Our packages start at $750. Final cost depends on the size of the project, how many finished images you need, whether we're shooting exteriors and twilight, and whether it's a Showcase or Editorial package. A single-room feature and a whole-home remodel are very different shoot days. Every package includes a Lifetime License, so there's no expiration date and no renewal fee later. If a designer or contractor on the project wants images too, a Shared Media Package splits the cost between you. Tell us the project and we'll recommend the right fit, no hourly billing surprises.
Forever. Every package includes a Lifetime License with no expiration date and no renewal fee. Some photographers license images for one to five years and charge again when the term runs out. We don't. One shoot covers your website today, the magazine feature next year, and the portfolio you're still building from a decade out. The license covers your business. If a designer, contractor, or partner on the same project also wants the images, they can split the shoot with you through a Shared Media Package and get their own Lifetime License.
Showcase Photography is designed for contractors who need polished, professional images for websites, portfolios, and social media. Editorial Photography uses advanced lighting, styling, and magazine-quality techniques to create publication-worthy images for designers, architects, and award submissions.
Yes. Our Editorial package is built for publication features and award submissions, with the lighting, styling, and resolution those outlets require. Your Lifetime License covers editorial submissions, so a feature five years from now works the same as one next month. If a publication wants to license the images for their own use, that's a separate agreement between them and us, and we'll coordinate it with you.
Architectural photography is photography that captures a finished space the way it really looks: controlled lighting, clean, true-to-life perspective, and rich texture. For designers, it means images that make the project space feel premium and show your work at its best, ready for your portfolio, your website, and publication submissions. It's different from real estate photography, which is often shot fast and wide to show contextual space and layout. Note, we use the term "architectural photography," but it's the same workflow and shoot process as interior design photography. Check out our portfolio for some recent architectural photography shoots.
Real estate photos are made to sell a listing fast: bright, ultra-wide, no depth, lack of detail and texture and often shot using whatever light is available at the time of the shoot. The primary goal is to showcase and sell the space, using the wide-angle lens to accentuate the amount of space in a listing. The overall shoot process is designed to be quick and efficient. Architectural photography by nature results in a space that feels for refined and premium. Controlled lighting, more focused attention to detail, and a more intentional editing process respects the architectural and design considerations, so depth, texture, and mood stay intact instead of looking flat or unnatural. The goal isn't "make the space look big,” it's "make the design look true-to-life."
Yes. Interior design projects are our main focus. Kitchens, baths, whole-home remodels, new ADU & addition builds - we shoot the spaces contractors, designers and architects are proud of and want to document in their portfolios. Note, we use the term "architectural photography," but it's the same workflow and shoot process as interior design photography.
Fair question, and honest answer: sometimes it isn't. If you're posting daily progress to Stories, your phone is fine. Use it. Professional photography is for the work you want to be judged by: the portfolio piece, the homepage, the award submission, the project that wins you the next three jobs. A phone can't correct verticals, balance mixed light, or make a north-facing room look the way it feels standing in it. Save these things for the pros.
Every shoot includes a Site Study (to determine best time of day to shoot), on-site styling, individually edited images, delivery in web and print-ready formats, and a Lifetime License. Depending on the package, professional lighting and magazine-quality retouching may also be included.
Before every architectural photography shoot, we study the project. We start with the address and work out which way each elevation faces, then model where the sun and the shadows land hour by hour through the day — including shadows from neighboring buildings and trees, which is where most planning goes wrong. Then we come out and walk it. We check the compositions, look at how each room's windows behave, find the reflections, and flag anything that needs to be finished or cleared before shoot day. You get a one-page shootplan back: the schedule, the shot list, and what to prep. Then we shoot to the plan.
Whenever the project area looks best, which depends on which way it faces, how natural light interacts with the project area at a certain time of the day and the results of our Site Study. East-facing exteriors want morning. West-facing want late afternoon. South-facing generally want late morning or late afternoon. North-facing are the tricky ones. In addition to this, for interior shots, window and skylight availability and placement play a critical role in determining what time of day your project photographs best. We don’t guess at this. Before every architectural shoot we do a separate Site Study to walk the space, work out compositions, take note of nasty reflections that will need to removed, and map how the light moves across the project through the day. Then we build the shoot schedule around that. It's why we show up knowing exactly where to be at 4PM instead of figuring it out on the clock.
It depends on the package and the size of the project, but a typical full shoot day produces 12 to 20 finished images. We'd rather deliver 15 photos you'll actually use than 40 near-duplicates. Every image is edited individually by hand, no batch presets.
Yes. We shoot exteriors, and twilight is a strong way to show a project after dark. It highlights landscape lighting, step lights, and architectural fixtures, turns windows into a glow from the outside, and softens harsh shadows on walls and materials. The result is a dramatic, moody aesthetic that works especially well for high-end exteriors. It’s available as a $350 add-on. Check out our portfolio for some twilight photography samples.
Yes, where FAA rules allow. Aerials work well for large sites, landscape and hardscape work, and roofing or exterior projects where the scale doesn't come through at ground level. We'll confirm airspace restrictions for your address before the shoot.
Yes. Before-and-after photos are part of every video testimonial we do, and sometimes we also capture video from both stages when it helps tell the story better. That before-and-after view is what makes the transformation clear and gives the final testimonial more weight. The analogy here is imagine only seeing Cinderella after her transformation by the Fairy Godmother. The story loses so much of its impact. Before-and-after media also helps show the work in a true-to-life way, which is a big part of how we build trust. Check out our portfolio for some before-and-after photography samples.
Have the project fully finished, cleaned, and styled before we arrive. Clear personal items, clean the windows and glass, check that every bulb works and matches in color, tidy the landscaping, and coordinate window treatments. Small things matter more than you'd expect. A visible cord or a mismatched bulb costs us editing time. For Editorial packages we include an on-site styling pass to refine the final details. We'll send a prep checklist a week before your shoot.
Most shoots run a half day to a full day. A single kitchen or bath might take three to four hours. A whole-home project with exteriors usually takes a full day, sometimes split across two so we can catch the right light on each side of the building. We'll give you a realistic window before we book.
You don't have to be, but it usually helps to have someone there for the first thirty minutes. That's when we walk the space, confirm the shot list, and talk through the details you want captured. After that, most clients head out and we work on our own. If you'd rather send a shotlist and skip the visit, that works too.
Weather plays a major role in exterior photography. Our Site Study helps us plan for it ahead of time, so we know which parts of the project hold up in overcast light and which need sun. If conditions aren’t ideal, we’ll decide whether rescheduling or a return visit is the best option. Our goal is to deliver photographs you’ll be proud to use for years.
Yes, for before-and-after work and progress documentation. For portfolio and publication images, the project needs to be complete. If you want the full transformation story, tell us early, and we'll schedule a short pre-construction visit to capture the "before" properly instead of relying on a phone snapshot someone took in bad light.
Yes. We carry general liability insurance and can provide a COI for your project or GC. If a site requires an NDA for a confidential or pre-launch project, we'll sign it.
03.
Video Testimonials
A video testimonial is part of "The Proof", our flagship contractor package, at $2,500. That includes the testimonial plus a full photo set, before-and-after coverage, aerials, and a social reel. For designers it's part of "The Story."
We bundle it on purpose. A testimonial where a homeowner says nice things is fine. A testimonial cut against the before-and-after of their own house is a different thing entirely, because the space is doing half the storytelling. We can't build the second version without the photography, so we don't sell it stripped down.
For comparison, a standalone testimonial from a production company in this market typically runs $2,000 to $8,000 for the video alone.
One exception: if we've already photographed the project, we can add a testimonial on its own. Ask us.We don't simply record interviews. We create documentary-style stories that combine homeowner interviews, cinematic project before and after footage, and your team's craftsmanship to produce authentic videos that build trust and credibility. Check out our portfolio for some recent video testimonial samples.
They help most in the part of the sale where trust decides everything. A remodel is a big, slow, expensive decision made largely on gut feel about whether the contractor is trustworthy. A homeowner saying, "they showed up when they said they would" and “did everything they said they were going to do” does something your own marketing copy can't. It won't fill your pipeline on its own, but it will shorten the gap between a lead and a signed contract.
Ask right after the final walkthrough, while they're super excited about the space. Keep it casual: "We'd love to film a short story about your project, would you be open to it?" Tell them it only requires about 30 mins of their time, there's no script, and they'll see the video before it goes anywhere. Most people say yes. Homeowners who love their remodel usually want to show it off. We'll give you the exact wording if you like.
Absolutely. We guide homeowners through the entire process using natural, conversational questions that help them share their experience comfortably. No scripts or acting are required.
No. We ask natural, conversational questions and let the homeowner talk in a stress-free way. No lines to memorize, no acting. If someone stumbles or restarts, that's normal and it never makes the final cut. The unscripted moments are usually the best part. The things people say when they forget the camera is there.
Yes, and we handle it. We bring a simple, plain-English release that covers filming in their home and using the footage in your marketing. We walk them through it before we start. It takes two minutes and removes any confusion about how the video can be used later.
The finished project, almost always. Filming a homeowner standing in the kitchen you built means the space is doing half the storytelling. If the project is commercial or the client has moved on, we'll find a location that still connects the story to the work.
Two to four hours on site. The homeowner's part is usually half an hour - the rest is us filming the space and your team's work i.e. before-and-after photo and video content. We schedule around them and keep it easy. Most homeowners tell us afterward it went faster than they expected.
Your finished testimonial can be used on your website, social media, YouTube channel, sales presentations, proposals, email campaigns, and other marketing materials included under your commercial license.
Yes. We can produce shorter edits optimized for Instagram Reels, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms, allowing you to get more value from a single production day.
04.
Social Media Content
Packages start at $1,200 a month. That covers one content day, eight finished Reels, and a posting plan. $2,000 a month adds a second content day and static posts. $3,500 a month is three content days and the largest volume. Six-month minimum on all of them, and you get 10% off the first three months if you add social to a photo or video package. Everything is filmed at your real job sites and finished projects. No stock, no AI footage.
You do. We're a production studio, not an agency. We film and edit, you publish.
That's deliberate. The hard part of construction and design content isn't hitting post. It's getting on a job site with the right light, filming work that's usually finished and covered up by the time anyone thinks about photos, and cutting it into something people watch. That's what we're good at, so that's what we do.
You'll get everything ready to go: the finished video, a caption, hashtags, and a suggested date. Posting takes about a minute. Your accounts stay yours and we never need your login.​
If you want someone running your accounts day to day, replying to comments and managing DMs, that's a social media manager, and we're happy to recommend one.
Finished, ready-to-post video. A typical month is eight to fifteen pieces depending on your package — mostly vertical reels, plus photo posts on the larger tiers. Each one comes with captions, hashtags, and a custom thumbnail as well as a suggested posting date, so there's nothing left to figure out. Everything is filmed on your projects. Nothing is stock and nothing is AI.
We come to one of your job sites or finished projects for a half or full day and film everything: the work, the crew, the walkthroughs, the details, you talking about the project. We also have the option to use a teleprompter so you don’t need to memorize anything on the fly. One full content day usually produces enough for two weeks of posts. It's the most efficient way to stay consistent without pulling you off the tools every week.
Sometimes directly, more often indirectly. Here's what usually happens: someone gets your name from a neighbor, looks you up, and finds either an empty profile or two years of finished work samples. That second version wins the job. Although social can create the lead the lead, it’s much better at closing the ones referrals send you. If you want your social media to generate cold leads fast, paid ads and search do that better, and we'll say so.
Three to five times a week is the range where accounts actually grow. Below that, the algorithm forgets you. Above that, quality drops. Consistency beats volume. Posting three times a week for a year does more than posting daily for a month and quitting.
We build your package around that. A month of content is a month of content, so you're not scrambling for something to put up on a Thursday.Instagram for designers, hands down - it's where the portfolio audience already is. Contractors do well on Instagram and Facebook together, because Facebook still carries local homeowner audiences in the Sacramento area. YouTube is worth it if you're doing walkthroughs and longer project stories. TikTok is best for reach if you're comfortable being on camera.
We deliver in the formats each of these wants, so the same content day feeds all of them. Pick two to start rather than spreading thin across five.The owner and crew is most ideal, if everyone is willing. People hire people, and a face makes a construction business feel real. Second best is a foreman or lead designer who knows the work. If nobody wants to be on camera, we can still build strong content from project footage, before-and-afters, and voiceover, it just takes longer to build the same trust. Also, no memorization needed! We have the option to use a teleprompter so you don’t need to memorize anything on the fly.
Because one month of content doesn't prove anything. Social compounds. The account that posts consistently for six months looks completely different from the one that posted for four weeks and stopped. Six months is roughly the point where people start recognizing your name before they call you. It also lets us plan around your actual project schedule instead of chasing whatever happens to be finished that week.
Everything we make is yours, covered by The Lifetime License. You keep the posts, the videos, the photos, all of it, and you can keep using it forever. Your accounts were always in your name and we never had your logins, so there's nothing to hand back. Nothing gets held hostage.
Yes, and most clients combine them. A photo shoot and a content day on the same project is the most efficient way to do it. You get the portfolio images and a month of social out of one visit. Add social to a photo or video package and the first three months are 10% off.
05.
Licensing & Usage
Build Media Co. retains the copyright to all creative work, while every package includes a Lifetime License that allows you to use the final content across your website, social media, proposals, marketing materials, and publications indefinitely.
The Lifetime License covers your website, social media, portfolios, presentations, proposals, editorial submissions, and day-to-day marketing. In short, you can use the images across your business however you need, now and later.
Your license covers your business, not third parties. But there's an easy path: if a partner on the project wants the images, a Shared Media Package lets you split the shoot and gives each of you your own Lifetime License. That has to be set up BEFORE the shoot. If someone asks afterward, we can license to them separately, it just costs more than it would have on the front end. Cabinet makers, product manufacturers, and material suppliers ask about this often, so it's worth raising early.
Absolutely. Social media usage is included with your Lifetime License.
No. Like most professional studios, we deliver fully edited, color-corrected final images and videos. RAW files remain part of our production workflow and are not included with standard packages.
Your delivery timeline depends on the package you choose, but every image is individually edited by hand to ensure publication-quality results. We'll provide an estimated delivery schedule before your shoot begins.