MId-Century Retreat:

When you pull up to the front of this comfortable mid-century home in the Midwest, the transformation of the back patio is nothing short of breathtaking. The space has been thoughtfully redesigned to accommodate lounging, dining, cooking, entertaining, swimming, and soaking in the hot tub—all seamlessly integrated into a cohesive outdoor living area. Clean lines and natural materials complement the home’s architectural style, while inviting textures and curated lighting set the perfect ambiance. From cozy seating zones and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen to the sleek pool and relaxing hot tub, every element is executed with precision and care. Who said you can’t have it all? Some favorite moments captured from this stunning retreat are showcased below.

Summer Reflections September 2018:

This project was photographed back in September 2018.  The wonderful landscape work was done by Kings Landscaping and it one of our favorites over the years.  Everything about this space is just about perfect.

Shooting At Dusk:

There is something unique about photographing a project at dusk. In those fleeting moments, as the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas painted with rich hues of cobalt blue.  Facing west, this palette seems to shift and evolve continuously, offering an almost endless variety of color tones of yellow, blue, orange, and magenta.. These subtle yet vibrant changes create a dynamic backdrop that enhances architectural lines and interior details, making dusk an ideal time to capture the essence and atmosphere of a space with a natural, sophisticated glow. Some favorites from a shoot with Jerry Dardick.  

Summer Reflections:

With summer ending, I can’t help but reflect on some of our favorite outdoor shoots from past years. One that stands out is this project for Noel King of King’s Landscaping. The landscaping embellishments are nothing short of stellar, and this property truly wouldn’t be the same without the detailed artistic work brought to life by King’s team.

Their meticulous attention to detail and creative design elevate the outdoor spaces, creating a seamless blend of architecture and nature. Capturing these elements through the lens highlights how landscape design plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetic and appeal of high-end properties.

Here are some favorites from that shoot, showcasing the intricate textures, lush greenery, and harmonious compositions that make the space exceptional.

Shot on Film: School Girls:

We did an extended session back in 2005 with the Chicago cover group Cat Fight.  Cat Fight has endured over the years and you can still catch their powerful shows here in the Midwest.  I can attest to the incredible camaraderie that exists between the four girls.  They work hard, really hard, which is even evident during this photo shoot.  Custom changes, set changes and well choreographed poses, let to material that they could use for years to come.

Individually, and collectively, they are incredibly professional and knew exactly what they wanted to achieve during the shoot.  Here are just a quick look at a set that they named ’School Girls”. These shots were done using a Minolta XE-7, loaded with Fuji Asia 100 Color Reveal Film. Studio lighting was by Photo Genic Machine Studio Master II’s, firing into two 48” Calumet Soft Boxes, and one 13” Overhead Modeling light.

Contemporary Exterior at Dusk:

We spent the day photographing the exterior of this home for Orren Pickell Builders and Michelle’s Interiors.  Michelle had asked if we could shoot a few exteriors during dusk.  It was the right call.  I was positioned on a ladder out front, and my business partner Mary Price was shooting the pool and deck area.  The cobalt blue against the white plaster of this contemporary home made for some incredible images.  Good call Michelle!  Some favorites below.

 

Exterior Photo Shoot - Driveway Clean - without AI:

When we scheduled the shoot for this recently built home, we planned to photograph it first thing in the morning to take advantage of its Eastern exposure. However, unexpected factors such as falling leaves and the sprinkler system running left the otherwise pristine driveway looking wet and messy.

We captured the images as planned and later cleaned up the driveway by hand during post-processing. No Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used in this process. Every image we produce is meticulously retouched by hand, ensuring results that are both clean and accurate.

Relying on AI often introduces softness or misalignment in the edited areas, which diminishes the precision we strive for. Manual retouching requires considerable time, patience, and skill, but the outcome justifies the effort.

Below are some images after clean up and before, showcasing the careful hand retouching applied to this shoot.