How I Selected the Right Interior Design Photographer for my Studio

The relationship between architects, interior designers, and photographers is probably the most important it has ever been. Images frequently serve as a primary public encounter with a project (particularly for residential design work), and can achieve international reach in seconds. So, the choice of photographer can’t be a purely practical decision, but a creative partnership that determines how a building or space is understood and shared. For interior designers and architects, commissioning photography is, of course, a way to document and promote their work, but it is also about finding someone who can interpret intent, translate atmosphere, and reveal the lived experience of the people behind the buildings, and those who live and work within them.

This week, we spoke to three professionals across design and architecture to hear what they look for in a photography collaborator and what it feels like when the stars align. Thomas Coldefy, French architect, Founding Partner, and Principal of Coldefy, interior designer, Cigal Kaplan, and Jack Simpson, CEO of Nomad Developments, all share their tips for finding the right fit and even drop some recommendations along the way…

Thomas Coldefy

For Thomas Coldefy, photography should be a means of better understanding the built environment and the lengths that architects and designers go to in order to achieve their results. "So much effort goes into a building, often about three to five years, but photography works in moments,” he says. “Even though the process of photographing a building is fast, it should also relate to the architectural intent, and demonstrate the way a building is lived in and around. I believe strongly that buildings should frame life, as it is, not how we imagine it to be. ”

When Coldefy met photographer, Julien Lanoo, they felt connected by the shared spirit of their work. “He is sensitive and has an architectural background, which is important. He's also Belgian, so he's connected to us culturally, as my wife and business partner, Isabel van Haute, was born in Belgium.”

But most importantly, Coldefy sees a philosophical sensibility in Lanoo that reflects the work of his practice. “Julian takes pictures of buildings as though they are living. It is more like photojournalism and reporting - he travels the world to capture the movements of life around a building. Beauty is not the first criterion, but beauty exists in the moment that he captures."

Coldefy is clearly a deep admirer of Lanoo’s work, and feels confident in his approach to the buildings he and his team ask him to photograph. “A combination of interactions and objects, colours, and cars gives a dialogue to the buildings in Julien’s photographs. The buildings belong to the scene. It's very poetic.”

Cigal Kaplan

“I’ve been working with one photographer, Philip Vile, for some time now, and I love collaborating with him,” says Cigal Kaplan. “He has a fantastic eye and really understands how to capture a space beyond what’s immediately visible.”

For Kaplan, Vile’s more holistic approach to what makes an image successful is what makes him a great photographer. “The thing I really value about him is how he helps with styling too, and knows how to move around the finishing touches so that the shot works best.” As every interior designer understands, a misplaced vase or a piece of furniture caught at the wrong angle can catch the eye of any potential client as they scroll through a practice’s Instagram feed or website.

Jack Simpson

“Selecting the right photographer for our studio has always been about finding someone who instinctively understands atmosphere, not just composition,” says Jack Simpson, CEO of Nomad Developments.

For Simpson, it’s less about a portfolio of beautiful images and more about how the photography not only captures his team’s work, but also enhances it. “A strong photographer, paired with a skilled stylist, elevates a finished project, bringing cohesion, warmth, and narrative to the space.”

Much like Kaplan, Simpson believes that good styling, in particular, is critical. “It bridges the gap between a completed interior and a lived-in home. Ultimately, the right team doesn’t just document the project, they interpret it, ensuring the final imagery communicates the thought and feeling behind every design decision.”

“Across our projects, including private residential and development, we’ve worked with photographers like Kensington Leverne and Helen Cathcart, whose approach and vision perfectly capture the subtle nuances of light, materiality and spatial flow that define our projects,” he says.

How I Selected the Right Interior Design Photographer for my Studio

Thomas Coldefy

Cigal Kaplan

Jack Simpson

Anya Cooklin-Lofting

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