Behind the Lens: Houzz Photographers Share Their Favourite Shots
Our photographers take you out on the job and reveal their tips and tricks on how to get that perfect pic
Hands up if you like getting lost in a beautiful image? When photography is done right, it can feel like you’re standing right in the room with the photographer – the scene welcomes you into someone else’s world for a brief moment. There are a lot of amazing images to be found on Houzz, where interior and architectural photography is celebrated by both homeowners and professionals alike, and many of them give you that same feeling of inclusion. Here, four of our most popular photographers tell us how some of their favourite shots were achieved.
2. A warm welcome
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm
Camera settings: ISO: 400, aperture: f/4.5, shutter speed: 1/100
About the home
This is the home of Rob and Barb Orford. The couple were once neighbours, until they fell in love and moved into Barb’s house, now their family home. This photo represents the essence of Brisbane life – blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. The home opens out onto the patio, and the breakfast bar –which the family calls ‘The Cafe’ – is where most of their meals take place.
See the rest of this home
About the image
“I love this photo for so many reasons,” Armstrong says. “I felt completely at ease taking the shots because this family was so warm and welcoming and were completely in their element. The home they have made for themselves reflects their fun-loving and relaxed personalities, and seeing them use the space as they would on any other Sunday was just so special to witness.”
“I ended up taking a shot from three different angles with the kids perched at ‘The Cafe’, and in the end this one showed the area best,” she continues. “Luckily kids aren’t as conscious as adults often are when it comes to having your photo taken while eating food – they were complete naturals.”
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm
Camera settings: ISO: 400, aperture: f/4.5, shutter speed: 1/100
About the home
This is the home of Rob and Barb Orford. The couple were once neighbours, until they fell in love and moved into Barb’s house, now their family home. This photo represents the essence of Brisbane life – blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. The home opens out onto the patio, and the breakfast bar –which the family calls ‘The Cafe’ – is where most of their meals take place.
See the rest of this home
About the image
“I love this photo for so many reasons,” Armstrong says. “I felt completely at ease taking the shots because this family was so warm and welcoming and were completely in their element. The home they have made for themselves reflects their fun-loving and relaxed personalities, and seeing them use the space as they would on any other Sunday was just so special to witness.”
“I ended up taking a shot from three different angles with the kids perched at ‘The Cafe’, and in the end this one showed the area best,” she continues. “Luckily kids aren’t as conscious as adults often are when it comes to having your photo taken while eating food – they were complete naturals.”
3. Getting light right
Photographer: Pablo Veiga
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/8.0, shutter speed: 1/5
About the home
This is a five-bedroom share house in the trendy suburb of Newtown in Sydney. Five young women in creative professions live here, and showed off their individual style at home. This bedroom belongs to Olivia Tuivaga, who got the largest bedroom of the house – she regularly sits out on the balcony off her room to watch the street traffic below.
Take a look at the rest of this share house
About the image
“I like this image as it really sums up the Newtown house and its vibe,” says Veiga. “When I got there it was a Saturday morning, and I noticed that the front facade of the house was the only area with direct sunlight. I knew that I wanted to explore those rooms first. We did a little tour of the house and bingo – the room was big and spacious with tons of beautiful, natural winter light, plants in the corner and a great mix of boho-eclectic style – it was perfect.”
“I overexposed the image so the windows and the outside is blown out (almost white) but the interior still has a good exposure and balance – you can still see the light entering the room,” he adds. “I wanted a wide-angled shot without distortion as it was a large room. I did this by using a fast lens wide enough for interiors, without the big distortion that other ultra-wide lenses can give.”
Photographer: Pablo Veiga
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/8.0, shutter speed: 1/5
About the home
This is a five-bedroom share house in the trendy suburb of Newtown in Sydney. Five young women in creative professions live here, and showed off their individual style at home. This bedroom belongs to Olivia Tuivaga, who got the largest bedroom of the house – she regularly sits out on the balcony off her room to watch the street traffic below.
Take a look at the rest of this share house
About the image
“I like this image as it really sums up the Newtown house and its vibe,” says Veiga. “When I got there it was a Saturday morning, and I noticed that the front facade of the house was the only area with direct sunlight. I knew that I wanted to explore those rooms first. We did a little tour of the house and bingo – the room was big and spacious with tons of beautiful, natural winter light, plants in the corner and a great mix of boho-eclectic style – it was perfect.”
“I overexposed the image so the windows and the outside is blown out (almost white) but the interior still has a good exposure and balance – you can still see the light entering the room,” he adds. “I wanted a wide-angled shot without distortion as it was a large room. I did this by using a fast lens wide enough for interiors, without the big distortion that other ultra-wide lenses can give.”
4. Colour creativity
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/4.0, shutter speed: 1/125
About the home
This photo was taken in food stylist Jane Collins’ home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Collins regularly styles photoshoots for magazines and websites from her sunroom, where she creates sumptuous looking tables to be shot.
See how Jane Collins uses her creative space
About the image
“I was very excited to photograph Jane in her creative space,” says Veiga. “Not only could I see her at work, but I could also shoot her beautiful food. Her sunroom is north-facing in the Northern Beaches, so the light was bright and beautiful, the table was set near the window so we could maximise the natural light. Her building is fairly old and the sunroom was an extra addition, so the old wooden floors weren’t straight, which meant the table was on a slant. It took a couple of adjustments and test images to get a perfect flat image of the table. I wouldn’t have managed to get it done properly without a sturdy tripod.”
“As she was finishing the pavlova for the story, I thought that the combination of all the reds from the cherries and greens from the edamame beans and the mushy peas would be a great mix,” he continues. “She had some of her old spoons ready for the shoot and we grabbed a couple of them to be on the table. I love the mix of the rustic elements like the board and tablecloths and how it all looked effortless.”
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/4.0, shutter speed: 1/125
About the home
This photo was taken in food stylist Jane Collins’ home in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Collins regularly styles photoshoots for magazines and websites from her sunroom, where she creates sumptuous looking tables to be shot.
See how Jane Collins uses her creative space
About the image
“I was very excited to photograph Jane in her creative space,” says Veiga. “Not only could I see her at work, but I could also shoot her beautiful food. Her sunroom is north-facing in the Northern Beaches, so the light was bright and beautiful, the table was set near the window so we could maximise the natural light. Her building is fairly old and the sunroom was an extra addition, so the old wooden floors weren’t straight, which meant the table was on a slant. It took a couple of adjustments and test images to get a perfect flat image of the table. I wouldn’t have managed to get it done properly without a sturdy tripod.”
“As she was finishing the pavlova for the story, I thought that the combination of all the reds from the cherries and greens from the edamame beans and the mushy peas would be a great mix,” he continues. “She had some of her old spoons ready for the shoot and we grabbed a couple of them to be on the table. I love the mix of the rustic elements like the board and tablecloths and how it all looked effortless.”
5. Capturing the serenity
Photographer: Mark Scowen
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/9, shutter speed: 1/50
About the home
This secluded home perched on a hill near picturesque Puhoi in New Zealand belongs to Steve and Donna McClean, who run a busy chocolate shop. The couple wanted to build a family home that also served as a retreat after a long day.
Explore this peaceful retreat
About the image
“This was the first shoot I did for Houzz and I really wanted to capture what this home is all about – a retreat for the homeowners,” Scowen says. “I felt this shot best showed the serenity of the location set in the hills surrounded by bush. The falling rain added to the mood of this photo; I think on a sunny day it would still have looked amazing, but somehow less peaceful. Less like both a physical and emotional/spiritual shelter.”
Photographer: Mark Scowen
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Camera settings: ISO: 200, aperture: f/9, shutter speed: 1/50
About the home
This secluded home perched on a hill near picturesque Puhoi in New Zealand belongs to Steve and Donna McClean, who run a busy chocolate shop. The couple wanted to build a family home that also served as a retreat after a long day.
Explore this peaceful retreat
About the image
“This was the first shoot I did for Houzz and I really wanted to capture what this home is all about – a retreat for the homeowners,” Scowen says. “I felt this shot best showed the serenity of the location set in the hills surrounded by bush. The falling rain added to the mood of this photo; I think on a sunny day it would still have looked amazing, but somehow less peaceful. Less like both a physical and emotional/spiritual shelter.”
6. Slice of real life
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Camera settings: ISO: 100, aperture: f/11, shutter speed: 1/5
About the home
Paul and Lee Smith dreamed of moving from the hustle and bustle of Auckland and into a countryside cottage for years. It became a reality when they found their little slice of country on 10 acres of land. When they aren’t cosying up inside for a family movie, they are herding their sheep, tending to their beehives or exploring the surrounding natural landscape.
Tour the rest of this home
About the image
“For me, photography is more about trying to express how it feels to be somewhere than how it looks,” Scowen explains. “What I enjoyed about this shoot was being able spend time with Paul and Lee out in the paddocks with the sheep and the beehives, to experience a slice of the lifestyle that they have created and then try to convey that feeling in the images. I like this particular image from that shoot, as the viewer is unsure what Lee is looking at outside. There is a balance between suggestion and description. I had to get Lee to stay very still for this shot with such a slow shutter speed, but it turned out well,” he adds.
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Camera settings: ISO: 100, aperture: f/11, shutter speed: 1/5
About the home
Paul and Lee Smith dreamed of moving from the hustle and bustle of Auckland and into a countryside cottage for years. It became a reality when they found their little slice of country on 10 acres of land. When they aren’t cosying up inside for a family movie, they are herding their sheep, tending to their beehives or exploring the surrounding natural landscape.
Tour the rest of this home
About the image
“For me, photography is more about trying to express how it feels to be somewhere than how it looks,” Scowen explains. “What I enjoyed about this shoot was being able spend time with Paul and Lee out in the paddocks with the sheep and the beehives, to experience a slice of the lifestyle that they have created and then try to convey that feeling in the images. I like this particular image from that shoot, as the viewer is unsure what Lee is looking at outside. There is a balance between suggestion and description. I had to get Lee to stay very still for this shot with such a slow shutter speed, but it turned out well,” he adds.
7. Productivity in action
Photographer: Susannah Thai
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera settings: ISO: 320, aperture: f/4.0, shutter speed: 1/2500
About the home
Melanie Rankin lives in this house in Hunters Hill, Sydney. Her vegie garden is her pride and joy, and she feeds her whole family (and some of the neighbours) with the produce from it.
Have a look at gardens from around the world
About the image
“I’m a huge advocate for DIY and growing your own produce,” says Thai, “so looking back at this photo makes me happy. Mel created the five raised plant beds herself from corrugated iron, and her lettuces look perfect in this shot.”
Photographer: Susannah Thai
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera settings: ISO: 320, aperture: f/4.0, shutter speed: 1/2500
About the home
Melanie Rankin lives in this house in Hunters Hill, Sydney. Her vegie garden is her pride and joy, and she feeds her whole family (and some of the neighbours) with the produce from it.
Have a look at gardens from around the world
About the image
“I’m a huge advocate for DIY and growing your own produce,” says Thai, “so looking back at this photo makes me happy. Mel created the five raised plant beds herself from corrugated iron, and her lettuces look perfect in this shot.”
8. Pots of personality
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera settings: ISO: 640, aperture: f/4.5, shutter speed: 1/320
About the home
This home belongs to first-time homeowner Charmaine Viscayno. Located in the up-and-coming suburb of Zetland in Sydney, Viscayno has decorated her apartment with an abundance of greenery and beautifully curated galleries.
Step inside the rest of this home
About the image
“This corner of the house was so interesting!” Thai says. “You can’t really tell, but it has an acute angle rather than your usual 90 degree corner, so placing furniture would be difficult. Instead, the homeowner disguised it by making it a reading corner – so cute! Love her choice of pots too.”
TELL US
Do you have a favourite photo you’ve seen on Houzz? Post it and tell us why you love it in the Comments section.
Camera: Canon 40D
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera settings: ISO: 640, aperture: f/4.5, shutter speed: 1/320
About the home
This home belongs to first-time homeowner Charmaine Viscayno. Located in the up-and-coming suburb of Zetland in Sydney, Viscayno has decorated her apartment with an abundance of greenery and beautifully curated galleries.
Step inside the rest of this home
About the image
“This corner of the house was so interesting!” Thai says. “You can’t really tell, but it has an acute angle rather than your usual 90 degree corner, so placing furniture would be difficult. Instead, the homeowner disguised it by making it a reading corner – so cute! Love her choice of pots too.”
TELL US
Do you have a favourite photo you’ve seen on Houzz? Post it and tell us why you love it in the Comments section.
Photographer: Tamara Armstrong
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm
Camera settings: ISO: 400, aperture, f/8.0, shutter speed: 1/250
About the home
This outdoor shower belongs to the home of Celeste Twikler and her partner, Chris Cain. Based in Byron Bay, Twikler works from home as a jewellery designer. Their breezy boho-style abode is a direct reflection of their laid-back lifestyle. Twikler and her dad installed the outdoor shower, which the couple use to wash off after morning and afternoon surfs and swims.
Step inside the rest of this home
About the image
“It was actually a particularly freezing cold morning in early June,” says Armstrong of the day this photo was taken. “Despite being insanely cold that morning, the sun was shining and the sky was perfectly blue without a single cloud in sight, and I managed to get this photo of her cool ‘summery’ outdoor shower. Anyone might think it was taken on a perfect summer day – I laugh when I think about how cold it would have actually been to use it that morning!”
“I had to step into the garden to get the best amount of distance,” the photographer adds, “and Celeste leant me a piece of string to tie back some of the palm leaves that were wanting to hang right in my face.”