When Clark Construction brought me back to document their latest Nashville project—The Emory at Nashville Yards—it marked an exciting return to working with one of the industry’s most respected general contractors. Having previously photographed their Grand Hyatt Nashville on Broadway, I was eager to capture their newest contribution to the city’s evolving skyline.

Returning to Work with Clark Construction

My experience photographing Clark Construction’s Grand Hyatt project gave me valuable insight into their approach to complex urban construction. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail made that hospitality project a pleasure to document, so when The Emory opportunity arose, I knew it would showcase the same level of construction excellence.

Clark’s reputation in Nashville’s construction market is well-earned. Working with them again on The Emory reinforced why they’re chosen for the city’s most challenging projects—their ability to execute sophisticated designs while maintaining the quality that luxury developments demand.

The Challenge: Documenting 35 Stories of Design

The Emory’s 35-story profile required careful planning to capture both its architectural sophistication and its relationship to Nashville Yards’ broader development. Solomon Cordwell Buenz’s facade design creates dramatic opportunities for architectural photography, particularly how the tower reflects Nashville’s changing light throughout the day.

For architectural photography, high-rise projects like The Emory demand technical precision. The building’s scale and urban context required multiple shooting positions to tell the complete story of how this tower enhances both the Nashville Yards development and downtown Nashville’s skyline.

Capturing Construction Quality and Design Vision

Clark Construction’s execution of Solomon Cordwell Buenz’s design provided rich material for architectural photography. The precision in curtain wall installation, quality of interior finishes, and attention to detail in common areas all contribute to images that showcase both architectural vision and construction expertise.

Working on luxury residential projects teaches architectural photographers to focus on elements that matter to multiple audiences: potential residents evaluating quality, developers assessing construction capability, and architects documenting their design work.

Nashville Yards: A Complex Urban Canvas

Photographing within the active Nashville Yards development presented unique logistical considerations. The 19-acre mixed-use project includes everything from Amazon’s corporate towers to the Grand Hyatt Nashville—creating an urban photography environment that’s both challenging and visually rich.

As a Nashville architectural photographer, I’ve learned that projects like The Emory require understanding both the individual building and its role in larger urban development patterns. Clark Construction’s work fits seamlessly into Nashville Yards’ sophisticated architectural context.

The Value of Architectural Photography for Urban Projects

For general contractors like Clark Construction, professional architectural photography serves multiple business purposes: documenting project completion, supporting future proposal efforts, and showcasing construction capabilities to potential clients and partners.

The Emory photography captures not just a completed residential tower, but evidence of Clark Construction’s ability to deliver complex urban projects that meet the exacting standards of luxury development.

Documenting Nashville’s Vertical Growth

The Emory represents the caliber of construction that’s reshaping Nashville’s urban core. For Clark Construction, successful completion of projects like this reinforces their position in Nashville’s competitive construction market and demonstrates their capability for sophisticated high-rise work.

Photographing The Emory reminded me why documenting Nashville’s architectural evolution through partnerships with quality general contractors like Clark Construction continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my architectural photography practice.