Crystorama 2023 - Flipbook - Page 31
“I love spaces that are monochromatic and organic, but juxtaposed with warm elements
that feel inviting and lived in — a well-cultivated space where nothing is too precious.”
Robert’s journey into
photography happened by
chance when he bought his wife
Tiffany a camera for fun. Tiffany
began shooting weddings, and
Robert would come along as
moral support to be her second
shooter. At the time, Robert was
a personal trainer and, while at
a client’s home, met designer
Brian Patrick Flynn. Brian
noticed his work and hired him
to shoot one-off home interior
projects. This chance meeting
seven years ago led Robert to
travel the country, capturing
designers and homeowners in
their homes.
His favorite part of
photographing interiors is
collaborating with clients. “Being
on set, working collaboratively
with designers and stylists
to frame up and flesh out the
home’s story is my favorite part
of the job. I want the imagery
to look slightly more beautiful
than real life. With interior and
architecture photography, it’s
very easy to capture things and
build an aesthetic that feels
a bit harsh and cold. I want
my photos to carry a degree
of softness and beauty with
lighting and play of shadows
throughout, says Peterson.
For Robert, the key component
in capturing a room is deciding
the space’s story. Rarely does
he capture a room in its entirety
or with a wide-angle lens. “I’m
often walking around deciding
what elements and angles
tell the story and how the
composition will bring the viewer
through a room. Doing this may
mean we rearrange the furniture
in the space, pull elements
out, or add elements. Once we
decide on the composition and
design layout, we think through
styling and fleshing out the story
of who lives here, he says.
Robert says telling the story of
a home through photography
is all about taking a moment
to slow down, be patient, walk
the space and give yourself
permission to be wrong and
rest. “It’s important not to let
ego get in the way and feel you
have to take a certain photo
because you originally thought
it was the strongest to tell the
story of the space. Sometimes
a vignette can evoke more
emotion and tell the viewer
more about the space than
pulling back for a full wide,”
says Robert.
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