Through the Lens
Bernstein Associates captures ebb and flow of changing skylines
Over the course of its more than 50-year history, Bernstein Associates has photographed more than 10,000 construction projects, averaging about 200 photo shoots per month. The firm’s photographers document projects from the big picture down to the most minute of details throughout the building process.
Bernstein works with a variety of construction clients from general contractors, specialty sub-contractors, developers, owners, architects and really anyone in the building industry, says Laurie Donald, Bernstein Associates President.
The firm provides a range of services that develop into a visual record for each client. They provide progress photographs to document a project from start to finish, create images for marketing materials, video documentation, live webcams and time-lapse photos and more, Laurie says.
Bernstein Associates is often called upon to provide images for marketing and social media. Being very familiar with specific industry needs, many clients commission Bernstein for shots that illustrate their finished projects, highlighting the workmanship and architecture for a dynamic presentation, Laurie says.
All of the Bernstein photographers are certified by the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “Safety is of the utmost important to us. All staff photographers have attended OSHA 10-hour training, have supported scaffolding training, and are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). We can document a work site professionally and safely from pre-construction to job completion,” Laurie says.
Capturing the Detail
“As menial as it may seem, it is amazing what having an official record and third-party documentation can mean for a job,” Laurie says. “Clients can rest assured that they have indisputable records for whatever purpose they may need. We are called upon from time to time to testify or provide images for court cases. For instance, if someone is injured on a site, the images may illustrate the area where the injury occurred to dispute or support a claim.”
Some of the firm’s images were used in the Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster: Final Report on the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, Laurie says. Bernstein documented the original construction of 7 World Trade Center (WTC7), which opened in 1987. Multiple photographs were taken monthly on every floor throughout the construction of the 47-story tower. Bernstein’s images were examined by officials to help determine all that might have contributed to the collapse of the tower, Laurie says.
“In addition, after the building came down, there was a lawsuit filed by Consolidated Edison (which had an electrical substation below WTC7), who claimed that Silverstein Properties and other involved companies were somehow responsible for the collapse due to possible structural deficiencies,” Laurie says. “Silverstein Properties holds a ground lease on the property, that is owned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Images from our progress photo archive were subpoenaed, and both parties searched for evidence to support their claims,” she says. “Both sides were very interested in examining the fireproofing on the steel and used several of the photos for their case. Something of this magnitude can all come down to one image out of hundreds of thousands of images. The courts, ultimately, found no proof of liability on the part of Silverstein Properties. I hope that the images we provided may have aided them in that determination.”
Bernstein also documented the reconstruction of the replacement of 7 World Trade Center for AECOM Tishman (formerly Tishman Construction Corporation) and Silverstein Properties, she says. The firm was also hired by multiple contractors to document much of the post 9/11 cleanup process at the World Trade Center disaster site. “We were hired to document everything from pre-cleanup conditions to construction of several of the new building projects,” she says.
In 2000, the Port Authority hired Bernstein to photograph World Trade Centers 1 and 2 as part of the ownership’s award entry for the Building Owners & Managers Association of Greater New York (BOMA New York) TOBY® (The Outstanding Building of the Year) Awards entry.
“We took a number of photos, including the plaza area where the 25-foot-high brass orb (known as the sphere) was located. It formed the centerpiece of the original World Trade Center Plaza. Our photo of the plaza is on permanent display at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum,” Laurie says. The image of the plaza is a 4-foot by 2-foot print that was taken during one of their lunchtime food and music festivals before the attack, she adds.
Evolution
“Being on the periphery of the construction industry in New York, so much changed after 9/11,” she recalls. “Work slowed considerably, and the recession hit hard. People were leaving Manhattan and there was hesitation to build and rebuild. But, after a while, work started coming back with even more opportunities for us. We’ve been through a lot of cycles and we’ve had to tighten our belts. Before 9/11, we had 21 employees and at one point we were down to 12,” she says. “In addition to several recessions that led us to scale back, technology has also changed. Our industry quickly went from analog photography to digital. The need for our services changed, and we have evolved to accommodate. We find ourselves in a good place now. Service, quality, value and a great time are the key to our success.”
For most infrastructure and government-owned projects, there are specifications requiring professional photo and/or video documentation to visually survey and capture the entire building progression. Most large projects, public or private, find it prudent to record existing conditions on and around a site prior to construction. It could, and very often does, help prevent and efficiently resolve disputes, Laurie says. These visual records are designed to protect people, she adds.
Bernstein works with a variety of government agencies, as well as their contractors. Not only are the staff photographers OSHA certified, but they have transit safety training, as well as supported scaffold training and must adhere to site-specific safety policies. For instance, each year, Bernstein staff must update their railroad safety training with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which is responsible for public transportation in New York and is the largest public transit authority in the United States.
“Each agency has its own specifications, and we know how to fulfill their requirements,” Laurie says. “Some still require prints, but many elect digital submittals and some require both. We study the specifications before we quote a job, so we can estimate what’s required for us to provide the appropriate service and submittals.”
A plus for Bernstein is its Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) statuses with various agencies including the New York State Department of Transportation, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the New York State Empire State Development and more.
In the Shadows
Bernstein works on a variety of projects from behind the scenes for governmental entities like the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP). The photography team has documented projects such as the Gilboa Dam, the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“It can get a bit dirty walking through some of the wastewater treatment plants, but it is important and necessary to document these facilities and their upgrades,” Laurie says. “All of the water in New York City comes from the reservoirs to the north into aqueducts, and the NYC DEP works to maintain the piping from the Catskill Mountains to New York City. Many water treatment plants are aging and are in constant need of upgrading.”
Her favorite projects are those with a historic component, such as the redevelopment of the James A. Farley Post Office, which expands the nation’s busiest train station, Penn Station, across 8th Avenue into what will ultimately be the Moynihan Train Hall. It will become part of a mixed-use redevelopment engulfing the entire block. Last year, Bernstein shot marketing photos for the newly opened section of the station along 8th Avenue and is currently documenting the construction of the new train hall.
The photographers have worked on projects for Yankee Stadium, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., Grand Central Terminal and across a 12-year span on the restoration of the New York State Capitol in Albany. “Those are projects we are especially proud to have been a part of,” she says.
Currently, Bernstein is working on the 18 million-square-foot Hudson Yards project—the largest private real estate development in the United States—featuring both commercial and residential space. Bernstein is shooting monthly aerial photography to mark the project’s progress for developer, Related Companies.
The firm is also doing work on the 7 million-square-foot Manhattan West project, which includes custom designed office spaces, curated food, retail, pop-up experiences, abundant green space, homes and a boutique hotel. The project is being developed by Brookfield Properties.
“We are proud of our longevity and the relationships we’ve built with highly respected companies, including Lendlease, Turner Construction Company, Tishman, Skanska, Kiewit, RailWorks, Related, and Brookfield Properties, among many others,” she says.
Building on the Brand
The company’s history extends back to 1958 when Herman Bernstein owned a portrait studio in the Bronx. He learned of the need for photographic documentation from a friend, and after taking on various assignments for several years, he realized there was a unique opportunity presenting itself. In 1967, he and his wife, Yael, established Bernstein Associates as a construction photography business. They subsequently went on to build a solid niche business over the next 20-plus years.
In the late 1980s, Laurie and her colleague, Alan Kazin, approached the Bernsteins about buying their business. The duo have now owned and operated Bernstein Associates since 1990. Busy running the business with Alan, Laurie doesn’t find herself in the field on construction projects that often, but she still plays an active role in architectural photography.
“Both Alan and I are very hands-on and don’t hesitate to jump in on a task where needed,” she says. “There is a family-like culture and feel to the company. Although it can be a bit chaotic responding and catering to multiple and last-minute requests from clients, we try to have fun while we are at it. We created a team environment where we really rely on one another. Everyone has a unique role and brings their own special contribution.”
No Nine to Five
“It’s not a normal nine-to-five job,” Laurie adds. “We have a team of creative individuals who love what they do. Some projects require us to work all hours and do whatever is needed to ‘get the shot’ or complete a special assignment. When you make clients happy and get great feedback, whether it is construction documentation or something more elaborate, it can be very rewarding. We really go all out to accommodate our clients. There’s a sense of loyalty and team spirit when we get things accomplished. They are truly dedicated with a tremendous work ethic.
“It’s a privilege to document the transformation that is happening across our entire coverage area,” Laurie continues. “We’ve witnessed the changing skyline of New York City and been a part of it by—essentially—creating an archive of the city. We’ve systematically captured the landscape, including the drastic and devastating changes resulting from 9/11. I suppose that’s part of a cycle. Now, we are in a period of rebirth and growth, like that resulting from a forest fire. If we can take a positive view, there are a lot of cool things happening in Manhattan, and I’m excited about the many interesting projects ahead and the impressive architecture that has been emerging.”