The Story Within the Space: Moving Beyond the Wide Angle

A one-point kitchen photography in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado.

When I walk into a home in Fort Collins, especially the expansive, open-concept designs that have become a hallmark of modern Colorado architecture, there is a common temptation to simply "fit it all in." It is easy to mount a camera on a tripod, pull back into a corner, and capture a room in its entirety. But a wide-angle lens often loses the very thing that makes a home feel like a home: the intention.

As a photographer, I see my role as less of a documentarian and more of a storyteller. My process doesn’t begin with the shutter; it begins with a quiet walkthrough. I’m looking for the shapes within the larger volume—the way a kitchen island aligns with the grain of a hardwood floor, or how the afternoon light caught against a textured stone hearth creates a natural frame for the living area.

Finding the Narrative

In open-concept living, spaces tend to blend. Without a careful eye, a photograph can become a chaotic map of furniture rather than an invitation to enter. I find that the most honest representation of a builder’s work or an architect’s vision is found in the transitions.

I look for the composition that explains how it feels to actually move through the house. By isolating specific vignettes, we allow the viewer to appreciate the materiality and the craftsmanship of the details—the things the architect sweated over and the builder perfected. When we focus on these "rooms within rooms," we give each area its own voice.

Quality Over Speed

This approach requires a certain level of patience. It’s a slower way of working, much like a local artisan carefully selecting the right piece of leather before the first cut is made. For my clients—the real estate agents who want their listings to stand out and the builders who refuse to cut corners—this intentionality is what provides peace of mind.

They aren’t just looking for "photos." They are looking for a visual partner who values the quality of the final result as much as they valued the quality of the construction.

A Local Perspective

Being a professional photographer here in Northern Colorado means understanding the unique light and landscape we work with. Whether it’s a mountain-modern retreat or a renovated bungalow in Old Town, every project has a story hidden in its geometry.

My goal for this year is to continue sharing these stories, one frame at a time, honoring the personal relationships I’ve built with the creators in our community. If we haven’t worked together yet, I’d love to hear about your next project and how we can best capture the story you’ve built.