1950s Cardiff Beach Bungalow Masterpiece

Last week I got to shoot another GEM by Jim Frisbee of Frisbee Architects. I love that he maintained the character of this 1950s Cardiff beach bungalow. The square footage added was only in the ADU that was built above the garage. And, er mer gerd, I want to LIVE in the ADU!!! Check out some of my favorites. Also, huge kudos goes to the rest of the crew that brought this property back to life...

Architecture: Frisbee Architects

Interior Design: Erica DeLorme Design

Landscape Design: Garden Studio Design

Builder: Travis McCaw (T-Mac Construction)

Restoring a Classic in La Jolla

Photographing real estate, usually the challenge is to accentuate the positives of a property and minimize the negatives. And if I'm being honest, I can sometimes make a house look better than it actually is in person. Once in a while, though, a house comes along that simply doesn't have a bad angle. It's no longer my job to improve upon it, it's just to get out of the way and reveal it. That said, older homes like this one, with beautiful dark wood can definitely gobble up the light and present its own challenges. Still, I felt like a kid in a candy store shooting this one and think, in the end, I did it justice. Almost 20 years ago, the renovations to bring it back to it's original glory (it was originally built by master woodworker and architect, Herbert E. Palmer back in 1925 and renovated by Trip Bennett of Arista Architects), drew the attention of the architectural world, and the owners had many offers to have it photographed for the world to see. They declined and as such, I'm the first person to photograph it since it was redone.

Well known San Diego architect, Trip Bennett oversaw the renovations and it's now for sale, represented by Linda Daniels and Regin Daniels Rubin of The Daniels Group for a cool $8,650,000. I hope you like some of my favorite images.

Designer Showcase: Massey Design Group

One thing I love about my job is how many DIFFERENT types of photography I’m asked to perform. Early in my career, I shot weddings almost exclusively. I still love wedding photography, but it’s no longer my main focus (pun intended). Over the past ten years or so, I’ve found incredible artistic fulfillment in photographing architecture and real estate in all forms. You’d rightly think first of photographing houses for realtors as probably the most common part of that business, but lately, I’ve been getting more and more requests from architects and designers to document their latest creations. Frankly, I’m often shocked when I look at the websites and social media accounts for both of the above and see that their “after” photos, ostensibly showcasing their months of hard work, and they’re shot on cell phones with zero consideration for lighting or composition! SUCH a lost opportunity.

Thankfully, there are still those who understand the value of professionally documenting their work. Recently, I got a call from designer, Mary Massey, who said her longtime photographer had moved away and she was looking for a replacement. She had just completed work on a kitchen remodel in Carlsbad and could I give it a shot. There’s always a moment where you hold your breath when working with a new client, but the second I walked into this gorgeously finished kitchen, I knew my job would be easy.

The challenge of this type of photography is to both create great light where there is often none present, while at the same time, not drawing too much attention to the photography itself and letting the space shine. It’s a fine line and one of my favorite challenges of this type of photography. Happily, my new client seemed thrilled with the results and I look forward to working with her again very soon. Enjoy her amazing work below and go to her website at www.masseydesigngroup.com to see more. Keep in mind, the photography of her work you’ll see there is still entirely from the previous photographer.

Ocean View Stunner in San Elijo Hills

The trouble with Murphy’s law is, it’s usually right and almost always negative.  When it comes to photographing real estate, Murphy’s law usually comes in the form of the weather not cooperating on shoot day AND it will have been gorgeous the day before.  Murphy was in RARE form when it came to shooting this STUNNING semi-custom home in San Elijo Hills. Now normally I can work around a less than sunny day for shooting a house, sometimes it’s even better.  However, when you’re shooting an over 6000 square foot home with drop dead views of the Pacific Ocean, even a sunny day doesn’t always cut it.  

When Compass realtor, Shiann Haydon, called me to shoot for her this past Friday, mother nature REALLY made us work for it (and yes, Thursday was crystal clear and a postcard day).  Yes, Friday was sunny, but as so often happens, there was just enough moisture in the air to completely hide the ocean from my lens. Nonetheless, I shot what I could and we made a plan to return on Saturday.  So I returned at 7am...no good. And again at 11am...no good. And AGAIN at sunset...no good. Sun yes, ocean no. Ugh.  

Then Sunday rolled around and with it, the rain.  Total washout. At this point, Shiann and I were more than a little stressed.  Could we get it on Monday and then turn images around to list on Tuesday??? Finally around 1pm the clouds began to clear and the sun broke through.  Rather than trusting the weather app, which said it would be clear at sunset, I crossed my fingers and drove back to the house for a FIFTH time. And guess what, I could see the ocean!!!  I ran around the house like a kid in a candy store shooting all the views and even re-shooting a bunch of interior shots that showcased the ocean view. I even got the drone up for a killer shot showcasing the nearly 50,000 square foot lot and it’s unique placement atop San Elijo Hills looking down to the Pacific.

I had hoped to wait for some golden hour magic, but sadly, as the sun dropped toward the horizon, that diabolical marine layer reared it’s misty head once again.  The ocean was gone. So, five trips, and about ten hours over three days to get the images that would “normally” (as if there is such a thing) take about two hours in one day.  But if you’re still reading this, have a look at the images and you tell me if it was worth it. And while some photographers would say I’m crazy to put this much time and effort into one house, I realize it’s worth going the extra mile and hopefully get a client for life.  

If you’re interested in this gorgeous home, there are open houses scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Contact Shiann Haydon at Compass Encinitas