Mount Bachelor Design Studio | Architectural Photographer

Mount Bachelor Design Studio | Architectural Photographer

Being in Zambia now has given me a little bit of time to actually post some commercial photography work from before I left. It was such a blessing to be so busy right up until we left, but gave me no time to show anyone what I was actually up to. Here’s a quick look at a home I photographed in Pronghorn for Mount Bachelor Design Studio. The home boasts wide open spaces and French country interior design, with flares of antique hardware, country murals and one large industrial sized fan. Thank you MBDS! It was a pleasure working with you on this project!

Looking for information on getting an estimate for architectural photography? Here’s a great link to highlight some key details and things to consider… http://tinyurl.com/3ffkj4b


Bend Oregon Architectural Photographer

residential photography Pronghorn Oregon

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Interior Photographer Bend Oregon

The Bold and the Beautiful Residence | Bend Oregon Architectural Photographer
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The Bold and the Beautiful Residence | Bend Oregon Architectural Photographer

Holy moly, I’m behind on my blogging. Did I just say holy moly? Okay, go with it.

This project below was an incredible project for me. I was able to photograph a handful of professional’s work that are so intricate and so talented, it made my job challenging, but such a privilege.

Often times, I do not get the opportunity to meet the homeowners of these beautiful residences that I photograph because they are often their vacation properties or second residences. It’s an unfortunate side of the job, but you learn to get used to it. With this project, I again, did not have the privilege of meeting the homeowners, however, feel like I can know so many things about them just based on their home. For instance, they value “quality”. Enough said right there. They accomplished that with hiring Kirsti Wolfe Designs, Sunwest Building and Neal Huston Architecture. They felt comfortable enough with Kirsti to leave the design and project management in her hands, and were not disappointed!

Their value for the outdoors and nature is evident as their property sits right up against the Cascade Mountains, with views as far as you can see. Photographically speaking, because of this, it is so important to show the views from the windows whenever possible. The architect, Neal Huston did an incredible job showcasing their views with large windows and expansive ceilings to bring the focal point directly to the mountains. As a photographer, I balanced the natural light from outside and additional photographic lighting to showcase those very important aspects. Architectural Lighting 101.

Details within their home that add to their high regard for quality, yet spurts of playfullness, are things like the onyx bar in their home-pub. Yes, I said it, Home Pub (I know I could spend many-a-nights enjoying that feature), high gloss Polyester red kitchen cabinets (very European in style) with Vetrazzo recycled glass counter tops (a very challenging kitchen to photograph with all the reflective surfaces but well worth the challenge), exotic wood veneers seen throughout their home including their master bath and pub, custom two-story fire place with a waterfall effect emulating the river in Bend, and a floating onxy sink in the powder bath lit by LED lighting against a full wall of recycled mosaic tiles (1 of 10 bathrooms)!  This 10,000 square foot contemporary home with mountain views shows a home can be bold and beautiful!

The Highlands Bend Oregon Architecture

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Architectural Photographer Bend Oregon Residential

Residential Architecture Photographer Oregon

Architectural Lighting | Architectural Photographer, Bend OR

Architectural Lighting | Architectural Photographer, Bend OR

Have you ever wondered what makes an image really stand out from the rest? Or, perhaps, how to get your home or space to photograph well for an advertising campaign? Well, I won’t give away all my trade secrets as an architectural photographer here, but I will show you a quick comparison that will help train your eye to see light differently, as well as how to become a discerning client when needing to hire a professional photographer that will make your building/residence/commercial space really shine.

The two images below are the exact same residence, the exact same angle, the exact same day. Sure, you can probably see that. Will it surprise you then to learn that the two images were photographed only 22 minutes apart? A bit more intrigued now?

I photographed these two images to showcase the dramatic difference that lighting can make in a photograph. The first image was taken at the end of the day with no additional lighting equipment used. The sun was still the main lighting source. Because of the nature of the home’s architecture, beautifully designed by Scott Gilbride Architecture, the sun didn’t do a very good job reaching to the inside corners of the patio. In order to compensate for that, the exposure either gets longer, or the depth of field gets shorter (not ideal for architecture) and the sky, then, gets whiter. Indeed, you can see for yourself the overall dull appearance the home had.

In comparison, for the second image, I waited only 20 more minutes for the sun to go below the horizon, (becoming the ambient (or fill) light for the photo shoot). The main light source became my photography lights that I added with strategic placement to add light where needed as well as add a more dramatic feel overall to the photo. The home then became lit from the inside and outside, giving it a warm glow in appearance and a well deserved contrast from the rich blue sky from the dusk evening.

When searching to hire a professional architectural photographer, or even a professional photographer for other subject matters, please remember that lighting ALWAYS matters. It is important to find a photographer that is going to make your product, home, or business really shine, and that lighting is one of the very best ways we are going to do that for you!

Studio Absolute | Professional Photographer, Bend Oregon
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Studio Absolute | Professional Photographer, Bend Oregon

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing imagery for the design and branding firm, Studio Absolute. Russ and Cheryl McIntosh are not only incredible people and good friends of mine, but they are also so talented in their field. They provide high end design solutions and branding to drive the right clients to your business.

Studio Absolute recently moved to a new location in Tumalo, Oregon and needed imagery for their marketing collateral. I photographed the exterior and interior of their new space, as well as some imagery showing the details within their space. In addition, I wanted to do something fun to showcase them around their space, so we worked with some blurred motion within an interior image of their office.

After receiving their images, Cheryl had this to say… “As a branding and design firm, every touchpoint of our business is under the microscope for its ability to reach and inspire the target market. After trusting Paula to tell several of our clients’ stories through photography, we knew she would do a great job showcasing our new studio. She exceeded our expectations on timing and the quality of the work. We keep asking ourselves, ‘How did she do that?'”  Cheryl continues…
“We have a good, quality camera and an eye for design, so we had taken a lot of our own shots of the studio. But we were blown away with Paula’s ability to make our space come alive with her creativity and lighting expertise. Just like hiring a designer–it’s well worth bringing on a trained professional verses a skilled hobbyist. We’re thrilled with the results.”

Below are a few examples of what came out of our time together yesterday. Enjoy!

Studio Absolute Tumalo Professional Photographer

Branding Design Photographry Bend Oregon

Oregon Professional Architectural photographer

Oregon Professional commercial Photography

Bend Oregon Commercial Photographer

Bend Oregon commercial Photography

Log Home | Bend, OR Architectural Photographer

Log Home | Bend, OR Architectural Photographer

On a new project for the very talented Hansmann and Sons Construction, I was hired to photograph a newly remodeled log home in Central Oregon. Besides the residence being very secluded with its mountain views and private lake, the craftsmanship of the home completed by Steve and Julie Hansmann made the home beautiful and exactly what you’d desire for a log home in Central Oregon. Steve and Julie have been building custom homes for over 30 years! To see more of their beautiful work, visit their website at www.hansmannandsons.com

When it comes to architectural photography, are you satisfied with your photographer? Are you receiving the quality and attention to detail that your project deserves? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard things like, “I’m having a family friend photograph my project” or “I met this portrait photographer who is photographing my latest home design”. When choosing an architectural photographer, there are more things to consider than whether someone has a camera or not. Look through any national architecture magazine. Lighting is probably the number one thing that will make an architectural photograph really stand out. And when it comes to your project, your baby, your blood, sweat and tears that you have been working on for the last few months or even year, wouldn’t you want a photographer that makes your home or commercial project really shine? Finding a professional architectural photographer doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. If you have any questions regarding your next photography project, please don’t hesitate to call or email. Check out my other architectural photography projects by visiting www.paulawattsphoto.com. I love what I do for a living, and bring that passion to each and every job I work on.

La Pine Professional Architectural Photographer

Oregon Environmental Photographer

Lenity Group | Oregon Architectural Photographer
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Lenity Group | Oregon Architectural Photographer

I simply love my job. I feel incredibly blessed to feel like I’m doing exactly what I was intended to do. What’s even better than that? Amazing clients! On a recent project, I was hired by Lenity Group, a large architectural and planning firm in Salem, Oregon to photograph their office building and staff head shots for their new branding and website project.

For this shoot, I worked in collaboration with the wonderfully talented branding and design firm, Studio Absolute, to photograph images that speak to the branding and marketability of the architectural firm. Together, we had a blast working with Lenity Group and their amazing staff to ensure that their personalities and professionalism came through in each image. Below, I have included samples of my images from the photo shoot as well as the final work in context to Lenity’s new website. To view the entire site, visit: www.lenitygroup.com

SIDE NOTE: Hiring a professional branding and design firm like Studio Absolute doubles the impact of the quality photography you have interested in. A good marriage of professional photography and design captures the attention of your audience and makes the most of your marketing dollars.

Oregon Modern Architecture Photographer

Portland Professional Commercial Architectural Photographer

Architecture Business headshot photographer

Shevlin Commons Residence | Bend, Oregon

Shevlin Commons Residence | Bend, Oregon

I have been so fortunate to have some amazingly talented clients. Recently, I have worked a lot with Kirsti Wolfe Designs and her amazing team of experts (Scott Gilbride Architecture, Greg Vendrame Construction, etc) on some gorgeous custom homes. This last home is no exception. In fact, this beautifully crafted, modern home is nestled in the backyard of the Cascade Mountains in Shevlin Commons and is flawless from head to toe.

Because this home has so many custom features, from the Sub-Zero Refrigerator designed by Kirsti Wolfe to the hood of the stove by Milo Art, to the custom built-in cabinetry and bathroom vanities by Gabe Dansky Handcrafted (just to name a few), I photographed almost every seam of the house. (exteriors to come in Spring). Here are a few images to give you a good feel of the house and beautiful nature of the craftsmanship I feel so lucky to be apart of. Enjoy!

Kitchen Professional Architectural Photographer

Central Oregon Professional Photographer

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Pronghorn Residence | Oregon Architectural Photographer

Pronghorn Residence | Oregon Architectural Photographer

Well, admittedly, I have slacked a bit on blogging my latest projects. I apologize to all my readers who have sat on the edges of their seats ( I know you must be out there, somewhere ). To ring in the New Year, I have decided to be a more diligent “Blogger” and hopefully be a resource for those looking to hire an experienced professional photographer.

In a world where buying a digital camera *allows* (and I use that word lightly) one to claim to be a professional photographer, as a client, being aware of the quality you are looking for and the final result you wish to attain is key. Hopefully, by posting some images and resources, this blog will be an important guide in helping make that (somewhat difficult) choice in choosing the right photographer and make your business, inevitably, look better, with an end goal of reaching your target clients a bit easier for you.

To end this post, I wanted to post two images from a recent architectural photo shoot for one of my very favorite clients, Kirsti Wolfe Designs at a residence in Pronghorn, Bend, Oregon. She wanted the images to showcase the beautiful structural and interior design of the kitchen, including her custom designed Sub Zero refrigerator. Absolutely Remarkable!

Bend Professional Architectural Photographer

North Rim Residence | Architectural Photographer, Bend, OR

North Rim Residence | Architectural Photographer, Bend, OR

One of my very favorite clients, Kirsti Wolfe Designs, recently hired me to photograph a completed project of hers in North Rim, Bend, Oregon. The master bathroom was a focal point of the photo shoot, so I thought I’d show it off! With a gorgeous soaking tub as the main focal point, and amazing details all around the room, it was a pleasure to photograph! Kirsti’s work is unmatched in quality and I am amazed every time I step into one of the homes she has designed.

Oregon Professional Residential Photography

Oregon Professional Residential Photography

Bend Professional Residential Architectural Photography

Bend Oregon's Best Residential Photography