Tom Lesser Photography

I have over 25 years of experience documenting the progress of commercial construction projects.  Clients describe me as "thorough" in my approach. I provide high-quality photos and video that clearly show the progress to date and site conditions in a way that makes photo identification and retrieval simple and efficient without redundancy.  You'll be proud to use my end-of-project Final photos as evidence of the quality of your workmanship when selling your services to your potential next clients. 

Almost ready to start a project?  Call me ... 301-695-1221.  I work throughout the "DMV" - the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.  Because of the restrictions, regulations and liability issues encountered with flying a drone, I have chosen to stick with what I am good at ... that is, providing clear, sharp, fully-detailed still photos and video taken on the ground (or something firmly attached to it).  When photos are required from a higher viewpoint I mount a camera on a remotely-controlled pan head atop a 30-foot telescoping mast that can be set up virtually anywhere that is flat and level, even in the "no-drone zone."  Using the mast gives a perspective similar to shooting down on a jobsite from an adjacent building, even when that building doesn't exist.  If you need true aerial photos (in areas not flight-restricted), I still hire a pilot and lean out of a helicopter.  I can also make sub-surface photos (think "manholes," not "pipelines") using a special rig that supports the camera from above.

If you've ever paid to repair things your crew didn't damage it's probably because you couldn't prove the damage was pre-existing.  There are no absolutes in this world, but you know you can minimize your exposure to damage claims by documenting existing conditions before your work begins.  High-quality pre-construction and periodic photos and video accurately keyed to your construction drawings can go a long way in protecting yourself from such damage claims.  Can I record every "flaw" that exists on your site and adjacent property and buildings before you start work?  Truthfully, no, not every one ... no one could.  But I will do my very best to be thorough and provide you with a visual record that faithfully represents existing conditions. 

I'll be the first to recognize the importance of cell-phone cameras on a construction site when you need to catch a condition that's likely to change quickly.  But I'm also aware that they have limits in terms of clarity and detail - limits that become more evident when you really drill down into the photos, especially when lighting is not ideal.  If you've ever had to defend your company against a damage claim for which you were not responsible, you know that photos that consistently show greater clarity, more detail, and sharper focus are important.

Almost ready to finish a project?  Call me ... 301-695-1221.  As a project nears completion, site supers and project managers are rightfully focused on the punch-list and turning the project over to the owner or tenant on-time.  Everyone is anxious to be done and ready to move on to the next challenge.  But before you walk out the door, be sure you have the photos you'll want to market your next project.  I have photographed scores of projects during the punch-list period.  Sometimes it's a challenge to work around cleaners, touch-up painters and furniture-movers.  But it's often easier to make a nice set of final photos during punch-list work than it is after employees of the new occupants have moved in with all of their personal items and "decorations" ... and it avoids disrupting the new occupants when they're really trying to get up and running in their new space. 

Digital photos can be delivered via pen-drive, CD/DVD, Dropbox or upload to your FTP site.  Enlargements and other hard-copy products will be sent by USPS or UPS.

Please ask your marketing department to contact me when they need final project photos for your company website or portfolio.

To request a quote, please email specs or provide a link & credentials to your on-line plan room.

Thank you.