The Strategic Shot: Turning Visual Content Into a Firmwide Advantage

Photography and videography are among the most underleveraged assets in A/E/C firms—often treated as afterthoughts instead of essential business tools that drive alignment, consistency, and brand credibility. This session reframes visual content as an operational strategy rather than a marketing expense. Attendees will learn how to plan and integrate photo and video milestones into project schedules, align leadership and operations teams around shared goals, and create a scalable, repeatable framework for capturing visuals across every phase of the project lifecycle.

Drawing from national case studies and nearly a decade of experience partnering with A/E/C firms, Ely Hemnes will demonstrate how intentional visual planning enhances recruitment, supports project pursuits, and strengthens business development. The presentation will explore how to balance internal versus external production resources, manage deliverables efficiently, and maximize return on every creative investment.

Participants will walk away with tangible frameworks and mapping tools to help their teams move from reactive content capture to proactive brand strategy—transforming photography and videography from “nice-to-have” collateral into measurable, firmwide assets that advance both culture and competitiveness.  

Learning Outcomes: 

1. Learn how to plan, manage, and repurpose photography and videography as measurable business tools rather than reactive tasks
2. Align visuals with project lifecycles, communicate value to leadership, and collaborate more effectively across departments. 
3. Share practical examples drawn from real national firms—offering tools and templates that simplify visual planning, budgeting, and production management.

SMPS webinars are approved for 1.5 continuing education units for the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) program and 1.5 learning units from the American Institute of Architects. Recordings of SMPS webinars are approved for 1.5 CPSM CEUs.

Per-Site Registration Fee*  

SMPS Member Site Registration: $199

Nonmember Site Registration: $259  

*Remember: webinars are open to your whole staff. Your team can participate from one location in your office for one fee. Register today and benefit from affordable, convenient, actionable learning and earn valuable CPSM CEUs and AIA LUs!