In the world of architecture and engineering, completed projects often tell only part of their story through direct experience. While those who work or spend significant time in a facility have a direct and personal connection to the space, many others encounter these architectural achievements primarily through images shared on websites, brochures, and social media platforms.
At TSP, a firm celebrating its 95th year in practice, professional photography represents a major step in their comprehensive design process. The photography phase provides an opportunity for teams to document their work, celebrate collaborative efforts, and share project results with both community members and potential new clients. Chase Kramer, an architect who serves as the firm's director of design, emphasizes that professional photography goes beyond creating beautiful images.
"Well-curated and crafted architectural photography can capture the essence of a place and the purpose behind it," Kramer explained. This approach is evident in projects like the revitalization of an iconic stained-glass entry canopy in Rochester, Minnesota, which creates a more welcoming arrival experience for patients, families, and staff while providing enhanced drop-off coverage. The project demonstrates how photography can document both functional improvements and aesthetic achievements.
Every architectural project begins with a specific need, a client, and a vision, from which a unique story unfolds throughout the design and construction journey. When a space reaches completion, photography becomes a vital storytelling element that captures not only the physical environment but also the intention and identity behind the design. Whether documenting a healthcare clinic designed to promote healing, a school creating flexible and supportive learning environments, or a workplace optimized for collaboration, photographs help convey how design goals became reality.
The power of architectural photography extends beyond documentation to emotional connection. Through carefully crafted images, people can understand and even feel a space without ever setting foot inside. This is particularly evident in projects like a community center rising from the plains of rural North Dakota, where photography captures both the building's relationship to its landscape and its function as a warm, welcoming tribal administration building serving the local community.
Interior photography plays an equally important role in communicating design success. Images of a cafe in southeastern Minnesota showcase how interior design can inspire a homelike environment, while photographs of interior classrooms at a new elementary school highlight dynamic learning environments enhanced by natural light. These images demonstrate how architectural photography can capture the intersection of design intent and user experience.
As TSP reflects on 95 years of practice, the firm's focus extends beyond the buildings it has designed to encompass how those projects are remembered and perceived. Through decades of diverse project types across various communities, professional photography has played a vital role in preserving the spirit of their work. Each photograph captures a moment in time and honors the collective effort of everyone involved, including clients, consultants, contractors, and TSP team members, becoming an enduring part of the firm's legacy.
The firm's portfolio includes projects that demonstrate respect for historical architecture alongside contemporary innovation. An interior refresh of a historic church, for example, provides contemporary finishes while giving proper deference to the building's iconic dome roof. Such projects illustrate how photography can document the delicate balance between preservation and modernization.
Despite the power of professional photography, Kramer acknowledges its limitations. No photograph, regardless of how striking or well-composed, can fully capture how a space feels when being used as intended. The real measure of architectural success lies in the everyday experiences of the people who inhabit these spaces. When design successfully supports comfort, connection, healing, learning, or productivity, that's when architecture truly fulfills its purpose.
"We design buildings to be experienced, used, and loved," Kramer stated. "The facilities we design are the backdrop of life, and the ultimate goal is that these environments can support a good and well-ordered life." This philosophy emphasizes that while photography serves as an important communication tool, the true value of architecture lies in its daily impact on users' lives.
Success in architecture is ultimately measured by how well a space serves its community, not just in the present but for generations to come. After 95 years of practice, TSP considers this lasting impact in communities to be the legacy they are most proud of. Professional photography serves as both a record of this impact and a tool for inspiring future projects that will continue to shape communities and support human flourishing through thoughtful design.
