Why I Photograph Architecture

Some days ago I caught up with a few fellow filmmakers and we started talking about the industry and their craft.

It was interesting to see how some of them move through different kinds of projects, weddings, real estate, events and commercials. At the same time all of them shared the same love and passion for the craft, especially for making documentaries.

Then my time came to explain what I do. I realised I was the only one specialised in the building environment, real estate, architecture, builders and similar work.

Honestly, I did not know exactly how to describe it. But while trying to explain this to them I realised the common feeling was control. I prefer buildings to people because I feel more in control of the space. People are fun, but there are many more variables to account for.

In the past I have gone through the same route, weddings, product, events, concerts and headshots. I have enjoyed all of them. But at some point I chose to focus on buildings. I did not want to be known as the person who does everything.

It is with buildings, homes, offices and spaces that I feel I have more time to develop my creativity.

Photographing a building is about time, composition and details. While there are time constraints, they are not as tight as in other genres. In weddings, events or concerts you often have one shot to get the right photo. If you miss it, it is gone.

In architecture, time feels different. You play with the light and the sun. You craft the image and set the mood, the intention, your vision. But the process does not end there.

When the photos are done comes the editing. More crafting. More story. It is a personal time with each image.

And when it comes to video, the entire process becomes richer. There is more to see and experience. The sounds. The movement.

When the conversation finished I had a small moment of curiosity.

While trying to explain my work to them, I realised something I had never clearly put into words before.

Buildings give me time.

Time to walk through the space, to understand how it works, to see how the light moves through it. Time to think about the image before pressing the shutter.

In other kinds of photography the moment happens and disappears. You react to it.

With architecture the process feels different. I can observe, organise my thoughts and slowly craft the image I want to make.

And when everything is finally ready, the lights in place, the composition settled, there is a brief moment of calm before the photo is taken.

But that moment is only half of the process.

The rest of the story is still waiting in the edit.