How Professional Photography Elevates Student Housing Marketing: Hannah Lofts in East Lansing, MI

In today’s fast-moving real estate market, first impressions can make or break a deal—especially in multi-family real estate and student housing. For developers, property managers, and brokers, professional photography isn’t just about making a property look good—it’s about creating marketing assets that drive leasing and attract serious investors.

At Urban Media Chicago, we specialize in commercial real estate photography that does exactly that. A great example is our recent project for CBRE, capturing Hannah Lofts in East Lansing, MI, a modern student housing community just steps from Michigan State University.

Showcasing Hannah Lofts for CBRE

Hannah Lofts combines sleek design, inviting community spaces, and unbeatable location. CBRE needed a complete visual portfolio to market the property—highlighting it as a top-tier option for both students and investors.

We approached this by blending architectural ground photography with drone imagery. Ground-level shots showcased stylish interiors, welcoming lounges, and outdoor gathering spaces. Meanwhile, drone views highlighted proximity to MSU, nearby retail, and the vibrant East Lansing scene.

By capturing both details and context, we helped tell a full story: why Hannah Lofts is more than just another student apartment building—it’s a community and lifestyle investment.

Driving Leasing and Investment with Quality Visuals

Strong photography does more than fill space on a listing page. It helps properties lease faster and positions them attractively to investors. CBRE used our images across digital listings, brochures, and presentations—turning Hannah Lofts into a standout opportunity in Michigan’s competitive student housing market.

This is where partnering with an experienced architectural photographer pays off. We know how to highlight design features, showcase amenities, and capture the energy of a location—making your property not just seen, but truly remembered.

Serving the Midwest and Beyond

While we’re based in Chicago, we travel wherever your next project is. From student housing in East Lansing to multi-family developments across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we bring the same care and creative eye to every shoot.

Our services include:

• Architectural photography that captures design and craftsmanship

• Drone photography that shows context and location

• Visual storytelling that supports leasing, sales, and long-term brand value

A Visual Look at Hannah Lofts

Commercial Architecture Photography of the Student Housing Project in East Lansing Michigan.

Ground camera photo showing pool at Student Housing in East Lansing, Michigan

Drone photo of the pool at Hannah’s pool courtyard

Aerial Photograph of the Student Housing Green Courtyard

Interior Design Photograph of the Entertainment Room in Student Housing in East Lansing Michigan

Interior Design Photography showing Yoga Room at the Hannah’s Lofts in East Lansing

Drone view of Hannah Lofts near Michigan State University in East Lansing

Ready to Elevate Your Next Project?

At Urban Media Chicago, we believe every property has a story worth telling. Through professional commercial real estate and drone photography, we help you tell it—so your listings stand out, lease faster, and attract the right buyers or investors.

Have a project in Chicago, Michigan, or anywhere across the Midwest? Let’s connect and explore how we can bring your property to life.

📸 Urban Media Chicago /Mersudin Velic- Vela| Architectural Photography + Drone Visuals
📍 Serving Greater Chicago + Midwest | www.urbanmediachicago.com

The Power of Monochrome: Architecture in Black & White

Milwaukee Art Museum designed by Calatrava Drone Photograph from above.

Color can be a distraction.

In architectural photography, it’s easy to be drawn to the glow of golden hour, the richness of materials, or the surrounding landscape. But when color is stripped away, something unexpected happens:

Form takes over.

Black and white photography reveals the geometry of space.
It amplifies shadow.
It invites silence.

What’s left is the structure itself — the bones of design, captured in its purest form.

Milwaukee Art Museum: A Case for Monochrome

I recently returned to one of the most iconic architectural works in the Midwest: Santiago Calatrava’s Milwaukee Art Museum.

Santiago Calatrava’s Museum of Art in Milwaukee Architectural Photography by drone camera.

Shot entirely in black and white — both from the ground and above — the museum transforms into a study in symmetry, motion, and stillness.
What looks like wings from above becomes pure geometry when color is removed.
The shadows stretch like sculpture.
The lake and the building become one conversation.

Sometimes, we need to see less to feel more.

Why Black and White?

• It strips the image down to essence

• It emphasizes lines, rhythm, and repetition

• It brings out the soul of the structure

Black and white isn’t nostalgia — it’s clarity.
It’s the reason timeless architecture feels even more timeless when viewed through a monochrome lens.

Let’s Talk

Would your project benefit from this perspective?
Let’s create something that feels not just beautiful, but unforgettable.

Scroll below to explore the full Calatrava series in black and white.

Art Museum in Milwaukee Santiago Calatrava’s architectural masterpiece drone photo east elevation.

Calatrava’s Art Museum in Milwaukee from the West from drone camera.

Museum Of Art , Milwaukee, Wisconsin designed by Calatrava, Architectural Drone Photography.

📸 Urban Media Chicago /Mersudin Velic- Vela| Architectural Photography + Drone Visuals
📍 Serving Greater Chicago + Midwest | www.urbanmediachicago.com