The Perfect Addition
A pavilion like this can keep the party going, long after the sun has set.
As summer draws to a close, I often find myself wishing I could have just one more long weekend or twilight shoot. A Main Line residence we recently shot turned that feeling into reality, adding a pavilion to keep the outdoor gatherings going for a few more precious weekends.
When shooting this home addition, we wanted to highlight both the new structure and the existing patio. The ideal time of day to do this was at twilight, where we could use the new pavilion’s lights to highlight the addition amidst a glowing blue sky.
The pavilion glows like a firefly in the darkening sky.
This project was shot for multiple clients: the architect, JMS Architecture; the construction company, E.B. Mahoney; and the landscaping company, Doyle and McDonnell.
From above, you can see how the pavilion (center) complements the other structures on the property.
Completing one project for several clients requires a bit of balancing between each party’s goals and needs, and Benson Photo covered all of its bases on this shoot. Everyone involved wanted the setting’s ambiance to shine, but each client also wanted to highlight their individual contributions. Architects often want to draw attention to custom designs and features, like the remote-control screens and folding doors, while builders want to highlight the quality of the materials and construction work. Landscapers, naturally, want to emphasize the greenery and flora they’ve installed.
Here, the architects wanted to capture a unique feature: remote-controlled mosquito netting that can isolate the entire pavilion from bugs with the push of a button.
At the same time, wider-angle shots show off the construction and surrounding greenery.
Photographing from a drone enabled me to capture a bird’s-eye view of the property. The new pavilion seamlessly fits in among its neighbors: the house, the patio, the pool, and the pool house.
Nothing beats a perfectly-placed drone shot.
Propping also played a role in the final shoot. While I’m a big 76ers fan, we had to remove a large poolside basketball net that obscured the view of the pool area. We added some blankets and wine glasses to show off how this pavilion might be used.
The blankets, place settings, and wine glasses helped set the scene for a nice afternoon in the pavilion.
Moving the basketball net from the side of the pool kept this drone shot clean and unobscured.