A show home with a lot to show

I had the pleasure of photographing this luxury show home for Precision Homes. Here are some of the key things I consider during a shoot, to ensure spaces are thoughtfully captured.

Modern kitchen with marble benchtop and stylish lighting.

Natural perspectives

Picture yourself in the below photos – sitting, walking through the bedroom door and swimming! All these photos are taken at common eye levels to help the viewer imagine themselves in the space.

Modern loft with sofa and kitchenette area.
Luxury pool with stone waterfall and seating area.

Artificial light

To draw focus to different features in the space and highlight lighting design, these photos pay particular attention to the artificial lighting used. The lights that are illuminated are very carefully chosen. These choices help to move the viewer through the space and show off various key features without overwhelming the eye. 

Modern bathroom with double sinks and mirrors.
Modern study with artwork and velvet chair
Modern kitchen with marble island and elegant lighting.
Modern kitchen with marble countertops and wooden cabinetry.
Modern dining room with pool view

These photos of the open plan kitchen/dining/living room really demonstrate how artificial lighting choices can influence a space. The eye will naturally settle on the lights. The lights that are illuminated are positioned within the golden ratio of the images.

Luxurious wine cellar with round table and shelves.
One of my favourite rooms!
Modern living room with abstract painting and sofa
Elegant dining room with stylish pendant lights.

Natural lighting

“The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” Louis Kahn

Natural light is a core element of most spaces. The interaction of natural light with the space influences the way you feel. Photographing a building means taking the time to discover the best natural light. This can mean capturing the front of the building at various times of the day and checking interiors regularly as the light moves.

Modern kitchen with marble splashback and wooden cabinets.
Modern bedroom with wooden wardrobe and beige bedding.
Modern living room with plants and artwork.
The pool's subtle water reflections at the top right, enhance the relaxing feel of the space.
Modern outdoor kitchen with wooden chairs and plants.
Modern patio with wooden chairs and greenery
Modern sink with geometric tile backsplash
Modern house entry with steps and garden path.
Modern Australian home entrance with landscaped path.

Exteriors

Photographing exteriors during different time of the day can significantly alter the feel of a photo. The best approach is to have a variety of photos that can be used for different promotional applications. The two photos above are perfect for a bright lifestyle magazine, whereas the photo adjacent – taken in the early evening, is more dramatic and better shows the exterior lighting concepts.

Modern Australian house exterior at dusk with lights
Modern kitchen with glass doors and staircase view.

Stairs

These photos showcase the sculptural nature of the staircases in the house.

Modern wooden staircase with natural light
Modern staircase with a coastal-themed painting
Modern staircase with wooden steps and concrete wall

Details & crops

Visually describing a space means looking for interesting vignettes, reflections and unusual perspectives. These perspectives inspire the viewer and give an exciting and unique tour of the space.

Spaces are often photographed almost entirely with a wide angle of view. Although in some instances this perspective is useful, it’s not naturally how we view a space. Overuse of this view, particularly for design and architecture photography, can risk losing sight of the designers intent.

Modern bedroom with mirror and stylish furniture
Modern laundry room with washer and dryer.
Modern hallway with two textured paintings and light.
Outdoor pizza oven with wood storage.
Minimalist outdoor shower with sun lounger

Thoughtful design details, like this poolside shower, can easily get lost in a wider photographic perspective.

Modern wooden staircase with glass railing.

Finishes

Choosing particular angles and lighting can help to highlight various surfaces. 

Modern bathroom with double shower and vanity
Photographing the bathroom with natural light only gives the truest representation of the tile colour.
Modern kitchen with marble benchtops and wooden cabinets.
This photograph highlights the dynamic interaction of different surfaces in the space.

Photoshop edits

Shoots are often booked in advance, and despite best efforts, sometimes a part of the space has yet to be completed. Perhaps the garden shrubs are still fledgling or a lawn needs a little more colour. This is where Photoshop can come in handy, to describe the space as it soon will be. Look around the top left of each photo below and see if you can spot the difference.

Before After Modern living room with abstract art and cosy seating.Modern living room with abstract art and neutral decor.

A glass door was inserted into the top left of the cabinet.

Before After Modern bedroom with ensuite bathroom and beige decor.Modern bedroom with ensuite bathroom and soft lighting.

A pelmet was added above the entrance to the bathroom.

Did I mention the cinema room?

Here it is, settle back and smell the popcorn – enjoy!