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Tip: Have you ever wondered what you would need to do to have an award-winning project? Charles Bowers of Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc., in Silver Spring, Maryland, has some ideas that may help.

It is a common question for landscape contractors. “How can I get one of my projects to win an award? If I could be successful doing that, I could use the recognition as part of my portfolio, put it on my Web site, develop articles around it, and, overall, take advantage of winning the award in my marketing and promotion efforts.”

Award-winning photographer and veteran landscape contractor Charles Bowers has more than a few tips on the topic. Over the years, his company, Garden Gate Landscaping in Silver Spring, Maryland, has won its share of landscape competitions at both the regional and national levels.

“It all starts with a game plan,” says Bowers. “If it is a new project, you have to give it three years to develop before entering the competition. This will give you the chance to develop the property and to take before and after photographs along the way. If it is an installation project, and your company isn’t responsible for the maintenance, then you have to make sure the company that is doing the maintenance is keeping the project looking nice. Whether it is your property to maintain or not, you also have to have a client who is committed to the property and its upkeep.”

Part of the game plan, Bowers notes, is setting up a schedule for photography. “You may want to take photos throughout the growing season, including setting up sessions for spring, summer, and fall. Or you may want to select the best time for color (in Maryland, between mid-June and mid-August). Then, decide if you are going to take the photographs in-house or hire a professional photographer.” Most smaller landscape contractors, and even many medium- to large-size firms, would be better off hiring a professional. “This can be expensive,” Bowers adds, “but depending on the competition, retaining a professional may be worth the price.”

For those taking the photos in-house, Bowers advises using a 35mm camera loaded with slide film (digital quality is still a couple of years away). Early morning or late afternoon light is ideal for taking photographs. The best time for taking evening photographs of holiday decorations is just prior to nightfall when there is still a little light available. Taking photos when it is completely dark will lead to photos that show the decorative lights but little else.

Next, assemble the photographs in a package so that each slide tells part of the story. Include a narrative to accompany the photographs.

If you are serious about winning a competition, Bowers suggests having six to eight projects in the pipeline if, for no other reason, than something is bound to go wrong with a project or two along the way. Make that part of your game plan.

“The key,” he emphasizes, “is having a plan to begin with and following it.” As he puts it, you can’t expect to one day take your camera along, snap a few shots, and win a competition. Identify the properties that are candidates for awards, expect to develop them over time, and then set up a program to photograph them during their peak.

By Charles Bowers
Garden Gate Landscaping, Inc.
Silver Spring, MD
charlie@gardengate.net
(as told to Rod Dickens, ALCA Contributing Writer)