ConnCAT Place on Dixwell

Architectural Photography From Development Through Completion

New Haven, Connecticut
Photography for Whiting-Turner

Documenting the Development

My first work on ConnCAT Place focused on the project while it was still under construction. I created ground-level and aerial photography and video showing the building taking shape, its relationship to the surrounding neighborhood, and the scale of the larger development.

The imagery was created for marketing and investment materials, and I also licensed archival photographs from my New Haven library to help communicate the history, people, and character of the Dixwell community surrounding the project.

Aerial view of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell under construction in New Haven, Connecticut.
Aerial construction progress view of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell with the surrounding New Haven neighborhood.
Alt text: Exterior construction progress at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven before completion.

From Construction to Completion

Returning to photograph the completed property made it possible to document the transformation from active construction site to finished building.

For the final assignment, I worked across multiple sessions and different lighting conditions to create a cohesive library of exterior, interior, architectural, and aerial imagery for Whiting-Turner.

The Finished Building

The completed property includes classrooms, offices, collaborative workspaces, childcare facilities, commercial kitchens, gathering spaces, exhibition areas, and other specialized environments.

My approach was to photograph more than individual rooms. I wanted the finished library to communicate how the building feels as a whole - its scale, circulation, materials, natural light, distinctive design features, and relationship between interior and exterior spaces.

Main lobby and monumental stair at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.

Interior Architecture

Several of the strongest architectural elements reveal themselves inside the building: the monumental stair, sculptural ceiling treatments, large expanses of glass, polished concrete, colorful finishes, and the visual connections between public and private spaces.

I photographed these areas both as broad architectural compositions and as more intimate views that show how the spaces are intended to function.

Dance and movement studio with blue curtains at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut
Colorful main lounge and gathering space at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.
Monumental stair and lobby interior at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.
Conference room with large table and windows at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut
Computer classroom with green accent wall at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.
ConnCAT reception area with branded wall sign at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.

The building also includes highly specialized spaces that require a different photographic approach, including commercial kitchens, classrooms, and childcare facilities.

Commercial kitchen interior at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.
Childcare classroom with colorful furnishings at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.
Childcare sink area with colorful artwork at ConnCAT Place on Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut.

Exterior and Aerial Photography

Exterior and aerial photography were created during different times of day, including daylight, golden hour, twilight, and blue hour.

The aerial views show ConnCAT Place in the context of Dixwell Avenue, the surrounding neighborhood, and the New Haven skyline, while the twilight photography highlights the building’s lighting, landscaping, and relationship to the public spaces around it.

Aerial view of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell with the New Haven skyline in the background.
Evening aerial view of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell and the surrounding New Haven neighborhood.
Blue-hour aerial view of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell with illuminated exterior lighting in New Haven, Connecticut.
Twilight exterior of ConnCAT Place on Dixwell with illuminated windows and landscaped grounds in New Haven, Connecticut.

A Comprehensive Visual Library

The goal was not simply to produce a handful of finished photographs, but to create a versatile image library that could continue to support the project over time.

The resulting photography can be used across marketing, proposals, presentations, press, awards submissions, stakeholder communications, websites, and future project documentation.

Project Scope

  • Architectural interiors and exteriors

  • Aerial photography

  • Construction and progress photography

  • Daylight, golden-hour, twilight, and blue-hour photography

  • Multiple photography sessions

  • Archival New Haven imagery for development materials

  • Comprehensive finished-property image library

Planning an Architectural or Development Project?

Whether you need photography during construction, a finished architectural portfolio, aerial coverage, or a comprehensive visual library documenting an entire property, I’d be happy to talk through the scope and how the images will be used.

Let's Discuss Your Project