Architectural Photography In Iceland: Living, Island Style

I recently took a trip to Iceland to work on a story about the interaction between the architecture and the environment in Iceland. Over the course of nearly three weeks I traveled around the entire country, shooting day and night, and sleeping when appropriate. After amassing nearly 200gb worth of material, I've begun to go through and edit the images that I'll be using in the story. You can check out a sneak peek of some of the images below. I'll be sure to post some updates periodically, but I expect that the entire piece will be finished towards the end of the year. I had a ton of fun and I'm really looking forward to publishing the photos and articles! I hope you enjoy what you see so far.

Shooting Architecture in Culver City: An Architectural Photographer's Playground

Culver City, CA, is a veritable goldmine of stunning architecture. Below are the offices of Media Temple, a web hosting and domain service. A very unique building that was a lot of fun to shoot! I channeled my inner Edward Hopper in an effort to create some interesting architecture images, and I'm especially fond of the image that includes the woman running with her dog. If you ever have an afternoon to kill in Los Angeles and you're interested in architecture, I'd definitely recommend parking your car over here (it's all free!) and taking a self-guided walking tour of the architecture in this area of Culver City, located near Jefferson Blvd near Baldwin Hills.

Mpkelley.com Chosen To Photograph Historic Beverly Hills Architecture

I'm happy to announce that I've been chosen to work with the Beverly Hills Historic Society to photograph a number of famous and architecturally significant Beverly Hills landmarks. The photos will be used in everything from museum displays to advertising and tourism promotions for the city. In addition, they'll be used as historical records for future generations. I'm greatly looking forward to photographing as many sites as possible with the Society. You can check out my first subject, the Beverly Hills Electric Fountain, located on the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd and Wilshire Blvd, below. All of the light you see was created by small, handheld flashes positioned throughout the scene, yet still cleverly hidden.

Photographing High-Tech Real Estate For The Space Enthusiasts Out There

Check this one out! This home, located in Laguna Niguel, CA, was constructed around a custom-made observatory. Situated 30 feet above ground and built on concrete-filled pillars which extend 20 feet below ground for stability, this was truly a one-of-a-kind home. Need I mention the gorgeous travertine floors and incredible backyard? This was definitely one of the coolest homes I've photographed.

Architectural Photography Of A Modern Office Space in Culver City, CA

I had the pleasure of working with Natalie Younger, another Los Angeles-based interior designer, to shoot her remodel of Muse, an advertising agency based in Culver City, CA. Located in a brick building constructed decades ago, this was a really fun project to work on, as the decor is something I don't often get to work with. I was able to take great creative liberty in the lighting and staging of the space, and Natalie was a ton of fun to work with. My favorite part of this shoot? Getting to take a break in those enormous bean bag chairs.

Luxury Interiors: Photographing An Architectural Gem In Orange County

This architectural beauty in Orange County, CA, was an absolute pleasure to shoot. The recently finished four-story home featured an open-air atrium in the center of the home that spanned the entire height of the home, and a custom pool that overlooked the Pacific Ocean with views for miles in every direction. Situated at the top of a scenic overlook, it felt so far removed from the bustling metropolis that is the greater Los Angeles and San Diego area. The space provided a wide range of challeneges - no shortage of problem solving here. High-noon light blasted into the dark wood interior, and I often had to juggle five or six different spaces in the same frame. I love this type of shooting, however - the greater the challenge, the greater the reward! 

Photographing Architecture In Hilton Head, South Carolina

I just got back from a trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where I met up with  the Fstoppers.com team to discuss some future projects, as well as photograph local architecture. I absolutely love the southeastern style, it is a refreshing change from the boxy architecture of Southern California. Though both have their strong points and both can be beautiful to look at, I just love all of the detail and tradition that is built into these great southern homes.

Interiors Photography: Modest Retreat on Lake Malibou

Shot for Shannon Ggem, ASID, this small property is a gem tucked away about a half an hour north of Los Angeles in the hills of Malibu. The style and decor is certainly unique to the area, and it was fun to shoot a property that had so much rustic charm. Need I mention the absolutely adorable dog who stood in as a model in a few of the shots? Too cool. I could happily waste away a few weeks in this quiet and private enclave.

Mpkelley.com: Behind The Scenes Of a Luxury Interior Photo Shoot

I was recently invited by the team at Fstoppers.com to dissect one of my interior photographs for an article. I've been a long time reader and contributer, but it wasn't until recently that I had full reign to go into detail with regards to the construction and completion of one of my shoots. You'll be able to see some of the challenges faced when shooting interiors and archtiecture, and hopefully it gives a better understanding of what my thought process is during a shoot. Click on the photo below or head here to read the article.

Architectural Photography Of A Private Residence in the Hills of Los Feliz

I was recently commissioned to shoot this incredible new construction in Los Feliz, CA. This shoot presented it's own series of unique challenges, however the setting allowed for some incredibly dynamic photographs. The first challenge was dealing with the extreme brightness range of the scene - that's bright, midday sun streaming in against a white interior with a dark wood deck outside. Pretty tough to keep it all in check. The following were shot with a set of Pul C. Buff Einsteins.

One of my favorite shots from the day was a result of the sun setting directly in front of the sliding glass doors which opened to an expansive view over the hills. The sun aligned perfectly with the back of the home and filled the entire place with a surreal, golden light. Definitely one of the most intriguing shots I've taken, and the best part is that it was nothing but 100% natural light. You don't always need a truckload of gear to pull off a shot, though getting lucky like this certainly makes it easier.

 Lastly, a couple twilight images - we know how much I love these.