Big Stylee
One of the things I don’t like doing is having to respond to requests for doing something in a certain style.
If you told Gordon Ramsay to prepare a dish in the style of Jamie Oliver he’d tell you to f**k off.
If you told Elton John to write a song in the style of The Monkees, he’d tell you to f**k off.
If you told Tracy Emin to do a sculpture in the style of Henry Moore, she’d tell you to f**k off.
If you asked Rankin to shoot a campaign in the style of Nick Knight he’d tell you to f**k off.
Most creators have their own way of doing anything, and their commercial success is based upon the fact that they create things in a certain style that their particular customer base values. Although i’m not in the talent bracket of the greats, I still produce a “look” in real estate images that can be identified as uniquely mine when looking through listings online. it goes as follows:
Perfectly straight vertical lines throughout the frame without distortion.
Never ridiculously ultra wide angle distorted views - always just wider than the eye would see it.
Minimal ceiling space shown - emphasis on floor space.
Accurate colour rendition, and consistent brightness throughout, with natural light showing.
Views through doorways always lit, with projected light emanating from rooms to draw attention.
No bins, washing bowls, pet feeders, lifted toilet seats, or other clutter visible.
Window views never blown-out unless requested.
That’s my style - blending any natural light with flash to produce a finished product that is light, bright, crisp, geometrically perfect, and clear of clutter - in effect, a dating profile for a property, & meant to attract viewings, not sell the house.
My style - in a Newcastle family kitchen.
Sometimes however, i’m asked to do things to copy something that’s appeared in a magazine or article by a client who doesn’t appreciate that each photographer will have a unique look to their own work. Check out the AOP interior photographers section for examples. Often it’s a “Scandinavian” look beloved of Architectural Digest readers - high key, largely white interiors with contrasting wooden furnishings and vast amounts of natural light coming from the ski slopes outside. If you would like to transfer the house to Norway or Southern California, & spend £5K+ a day plus costs and medium format equipment hire, to produce 10 spectacular images then let’s get going. Otherwise, the Bellway 4 bed “cookie cutter” new-build i’m shooting for £90 isn’t going to look like that in an hour. Just saying.
I’d love to develop a unique, finessed style which would attract the well-paid architectural gigs, but with dozens of real estate jobs piling in each month it’s impossible to dedicate time to portfolio shoots. My style will have to suffice.
