Integral to architecture and design is capturing the finished project through the lens and the expert eye of the photographer. The men and women profiled belong to Image Makers Association Australia, an organisation that has partnered with the 2024 INDE.Awards in two categories, The Photographer – Commercial and The Photographer – Residential.

We explore what makes each of these photographers tick, how they began their careers and why they chose to pursue architecture and design as their subject, as well as finding out a little more about them and their craft.

How did you come to photography? 

Like so many photographers my fascination with photography grew from a love of travel and the desire to document the places I visited. After leaving my career in public relations to have children I wanted to move to something more creative and flexible. Photography was the passion that was right in front of me but took me a while to see.

What do you most enjoy about your profession?

Not a shoot goes by, be it a small residential project or a large commercial or civic building, in which I don’t consider how privileged I am to do the work that I do. The access to amazing places, the trust my clients have in me to capture their vision and the ability to indulge my passion every day that I work.

What drew you to focus on architecture and design? 

I previously mentioned travel as my path to photography. Throughout my travels and early photographic practice I found myself coming back time and time again to the built environment. I am drawn to cities and never tire of capturing their beauty, overt and hidden. There is a certainty in the symmetries, patterns, colours and forms that is familiar and comfortable.

How do you see the role of the photographer in architecture and design?

Quality architectural and interiors photography is an important investment to promote a brand and its projects, and to document the history and evolution of a practice or place.

What is the most important aspect for you in capturing a project through the lens? 

It is important to me to create consistent imagery that emphasises the form, function and essence of a space or place, and helps shape the way people view built environments, their interiors and surroundings.

What is a usual day for you when you are on a shoot? 

The work I undertake varies from small residential projects to large commercial and civic buildings – the architecture of both external and internal spaces. Every day is a little different – the hours, the locations, the people I’m working with can vary greatly. When I arrive on-site, I will have a walk through to familiarise myself or refresh if it’s not my first visit. Sometimes the sites are empty apart from me, my assistant and the client; sometimes they’re bustling places with lots of people to direct and things beyond my control and sometimes I’m working around other trades madly finishing their part of the project or addressing defects. What doesn’t change is that I’m always keen to get started and never to stop – except for coffee.

What equipment do you use? What is the most important item? 

My approach to photography is one of less is more. I like to travel light and take only what I need. I have my Canon camera and a spare, a tripod and a set of architectural lenses. Each of these items is integral in the process but perhaps the most important is lots of spare batteries!

Are there other areas of photography that you pursue in your spare time? 

Alongside my architectural and interiors work I have a fine art practice. I research and create bodies of photographic work for exhibition and sale. While these are most often focused on built environments they do sometimes include portraiture and images from the natural world, particularly flowers and are an exploration of the idea of isolation/loneliness – an idea I have been pursuing for close on ten years.

What advice would you give to someone just commencing in the profession as an architecture and design photographer? 

To those starting out I would say, study if you haven’t already; there’s so much to learn and the technology is changing rapidly. Assist if you can – there is much to gain from immersing yourself in an established practice to learn how things happen in the ‘real world’. It’s a long, hard and at times lonely road but don’t give up!

Who has inspired you in your photography career and why? 

There’s a very long list of people that have inspired me in my career as a photographer. Here’s a few that always come to mind: Candida Höfer, Saul Leiter, André Kertész, Ezra Stoller, Thomas Struth and Todd Hido. The work of each of these photographers took my breath away the first time I saw them and has influenced the development of my personal style. I have been inspired by elements of their work from their use of colour, the composition of their images to the way they see light and form.

What is the most important thing that you have learnt so far on your journey as a photographer?

One of the most profound realisations I had during my photography studies (fine art) was how much we can learn about ourselves and who we are if we take the time to look, and really see what it is we photograph and how.

Do you have other pursuits or hobbies beside photography that you would like to share with us?

Next to family, photography and the arts, yoga is my main pursuit. I have a daily Iyengar yoga practice that is integral to my physical and mental health.

NDE.Awards
indeawards.com

Elizabeth Schiavello
elizabethschiavello.com.au

Image Makers Association of Australia
imagemakersassociation.com.au

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