MARK LORETTA PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Taking a step away from commercial properties and public structures, I recently had the pleasure of capturing an interesting residential photography project, Mark Loretta’s private home. Mark is a retired Major League Baseball player who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Mark’s 8,000 square foot home is located in the ultra-upscale community of Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego, California). With an estimated median income of $189,000, it is on the list of highest income communities and has the fourteenth most expensive ZIP code in the United States (fourth most expensive in California). The client, PORTELLA, manufactures individually engineered, high-quality architectural steel doors and windows, contemporary metal doors, pivot doors, gates, railings, and hardware. All of these high-quality treatments were on stunning display in Mark’s home and shooting the property was a pleasure personally and professionally.

Aside from the exquisite items supplied by PORTELLA, the grounds were full of features that were breathtaking to photograph. The property had as many stunning features inside as it did outside. Being a San Diego Architectural photographer and interior design photographer, being able to participate in a photo session like this allowed me to draw on my experiences as both.

You’ll notice from the images that Loretta’s home had a wide range of design accents that provided continuity without being boring or repetitive. The outside tile was similar to the tone of the flooring inside the home and the furniture in the main areas inside the home complemented the seating in the outdoor areas.

The structure itself combined a mix of warm wood and stone that was consistent in both the indoor space as well as the areas where Mark took advantage of the open air.

Interior design photography often gives me a chance to showcase both indoor and outdoor features and mark Loretta’s home is a beautiful example of both.

ROY YAMAGUCHIS RESTAURANT, LA JOLLA

Roy Yamaguchi is a well-known chef who specializes in Hawaiian Fusion cuisine. After studying his culinary craft in New York City, Yamaguchi began an apprenticeship in Los Angeles before venturing out on his own with an array of eateries in Southern California. His story reminds me of my own journey from student to apprentice and eventually on my own as a San Diego architectural photographer.

Roy Yamaguchi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine (formerly known as Roy’s) is a newly remodeled and upgraded Pacific Rim Cuisine restaurant located in San Diego’s prime location in UTC/La Jolla. Though Roy currently calls Hawaii his home, the Tokyo born chef still maintains his signature restaurant in La Jolla where some of the finest Pacific Rim cuisine can be enjoyed by tourists and greater San Diego residents year-round.

The shoot for the restaurant starts with the tropical scene outside. Palm trees and torch lighting set the mood for patrons as they enter the building. After entering the restaurant itself, diners are able to relax in a serene atmosphere of high-quality design.

The lighting, for example, is shone through swirling fixtures that allow the light to dance across the ceilings in a unique display. Below, the booths against the wall are upholstered with dark leather to match the dark wood of the tables and chairs. The bar area borrows from the colors in the main dining area and adds lighter wood tables that match the wooden enclosures that house the wine racks.

Seating is available to accommodate varying party sizes from the intimate two person dining group to a family or group gathering at longer tables.

Being able to photograph the restaurant from all sorts of angles was a treat. While the restaurant was empty for my session, I was able to imagine the bustling staff serving a diverse assortment of clientele.

FLEMINGS PRIME STEAKHOUSE, BEVERLY HILLS

The vast number of beautiful buildings in the area offers tons of opportunities for a Beverly Hills restaurant photography expert. Some of the retail establishments in greater Los Angeles provide me with a chance to step into a different sort of design and architecture that keeps my job exciting. Southern California-based Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is a world-class, critically acclaimed restaurant offering the best in steakhouse dining, aged beef, chops and fresh seafood. The high-end menu options are coupled with a unique wine list with more than 100 world-class wines served by the glass.

The 7,200 square foot restaurant seats 250 guests and features a two story all-glass wine room, a second story mezzanine dining room and an exterior patio marked by a dramatic soaring floor-to-ceiling glass window allowing passers-by to view inside. Once inside, guests are treated to a dining experience that extends well-beyond the food and beverages.

The dark wood and brick of Fleming’s Steakhouse signifies a sturdy design theme. Look at the bar area where the unique plan of seating and exposed pipe work in the rafters combines a rustic feel with a polished atmosphere. The main dining area carries the theme while adding the opportunity for patrons to have an intimate setting or substantial space for a larger party.

I was particularly taken by the wine rack. The huge assortment of winery scales the height of the restaurant and sits visible through glass and wood displays. This format offered me the chance to capture the selection from different angels and do justice to just how expansive the collection is.

Outside, Fleming’s sits comfortably on Olympic Blvd. just a stone’s throw from Staple’s Center. This section of town offers a variety of options for Los Angeles residents, visitors after a Lakers or Clippers game, and a Los Angeles architectural photographer hoping to capture it all.

CHLOE BOUTIQUE, WYNN LAS VEGAS

Being a professional Las Vegas interior photographer means that I get to take advantage of some of the interesting designs of some unique buildings of Las Vegas. The city is an internationally renowned major resort city known primarily for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and nightlife and is the leading financial and cultural center for Southern Nevada. I had the pleasure of photographing the newly opened Chloé Boutique inside one of my favorite hotels on the Las Vegas strip; the Wynn. Chloé is a French luxury brand devoted to casual wear for women. The boutique was a posh retail space that had all of the features of an upscale European shop.

The lighting inside the space (crafted by Regency Lighting and Amerlux) was masterfully done. This crafty lighting made my job much easier, all I had to do was capture it. I didn’t have to augment the lighting as I usually do; it was already perfect as I found it.

The shots I was able to produce were effective in showing the design of the store and how the designers used the simplicity of the color white to make the colorful displays of merchandise more vibrant. Even the more conservative browns and muted burgundy items seemed to jump out at the shoppers and made for truly stunning photographs.

Oftentimes, the best way to make a bold statement is with understated or simple architecture and design. As an interior design photographer, I am routinely aware that sometimes the best way to create a splashy presentation is to keep the structure and design elegantly simple to really showcase the wares for visitors. The lighting and layout of the Chloé Boutique accomplishes this art of simplicity well.

I’m hoping to return to Las Vegas for another assignment soon as the architecture and interior design found there is some of the most interesting in the world.

TUMI FLAGSHIP STORE, RODEO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS

The life of a person involved with retail interior photography is rich with possible targets. Now back in Southern California, I was able to stop at another boutique to capture amazing images of another stunning shop on the famous Rodeo Drive. TUMI is an international 37-year-old suitcase company offering an assortment of high-end luggage. This Flagship boutique is located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the fashion and trend-lover’s paradise. Rodeo Drive has flagship locations for some of the most prestigious brands and is also a home of the single most expensive store in the world, Bijan. I’ll hopefully get to take photos of Bijan in the near future.

The 2,000 sq. ft. location marks the debut of a modern new store design with its white metal exterior and glass band LED illumination. The 18 ft. high ceilings with skylights create a luminous and spacious environment that is conducive to travel accessories.

While my previous boutique shoot featured an elegantly simple design, TUMI is strikingly the opposite approach. This multilevel establishment offers towering space to showcase the assortment of top-of-the-line travel gear. I would imagine that even in a place that carries the most exclusive brands of luggage, there aren’t that many different styles of bags – a point that begs for more daring design in the store to offer shoppers a unique experience.

TUMI’s footprint is expansive and grand; the high ceilings are topped by creative molding and architecture. The lighting was one again such that shooting the interior scenes was nearly effortless. What I tried to reveal in the photographs was a shop that went to literally great lengths to provide the perfect backdrop for the expensive baggage on display. I’d say the designers met their mark.

Interior design photographers relish the chance to target spaces that are exciting and different. TUMI is one place where the design offers a professional photographer a wealth of options when shooting the scene.

MIRAMAR COLLEGE MATH & BUSINESS BUILDING

As any Sand Diego architectural photographer who has done college photography can tell you, the newer buildings in the area commonly include features for conservation and efficiency. The Mathematics & Business building at Miramar College consists of approximately 45,899 gross square feet and 32,100 assignable square feet of new metal building construction. Designed by Baker Nowicki Design Studio, includes new “smart” classrooms equipped with computers, audiovisual and multimedia equipment. A mathematics research center and related office space for faculty and support staff are also included in the space. The new classroom building was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for sustainable and green design by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Aside from the technical aspects of the Math and Business Building at Miramar College, the existing structure and the projects that are under construction are designed to combine the open layout that makes for comfortable learning and an artistic expression of architecture that made this subject a joy to photograph.

The few images seen here allow you to see the massive size of the structure on the exterior as well as the way the size of the building is used inside for the students and faculty staff. The picture of the computer lab includes a staple of Southern California architecture; the useful incorporation of windows to take full advantage of the ample supply of natural lighting.

A San Diego architectural photographer is not limited to taking photos of corporate sites, so when I have an opportunity to participate in a session where the subject is a public structure for education or research, I am always eager to showcase the blend of design genius and utility of the buildings. I can only imagine how the newest parts of the college will take this sort of design even further.

Riverside Community College Nursing and Sciences Complex

I just wrapped up another architectural photography shoot in Riverside, California. The riverside Community College’s new Nursing and Science Education Building, designed by GKK Works, includes approximately 135,000 square-feet of educational space for the nursing and science college programs. The four-story southeast wing of the structure was designed specifically for math and science programs and includes lecture halls and support offices such as experimental, computer and study laboratories. The exterior of the building was carefully designed to promote student activity in a calm, open, and refreshing environment. The arched walkways are designed to reflect the “Old Missionary” architectural style of the campus and include a small amphitheater, and an inviting courtyard leading out to a healing garden within a short distance from the building.

My goal for this session was to capture the mood of the facility as a building. Previous projects have shown the combination of structure and staff. This shoot was intended to deliver the idea that the facility itself could be used as a motivating and comfortable environment for the nurses and other healthcare practitioners who work here every day.

As you peruse the images, notice the clean and modern feel of the railings and tile work. This theme is accented by the warmth of the wood grain seen on the walls and beams that stretch high into the ceilings. I think this combination is a perfect way to represent the nature of work for the staff. They are professional and highly-trained and also warm, compassionate, and dedicated practitioners.

The use of natural lighting works to conserve energy and deliver the healing rays from the sun. Students and nurses can feel the warmth of the southern California sun while they learn – all while protecting the environment through energy conservation. Architectural photography often allows us to see what is important to the designers and builders. In the case of the Riverside Community College – Nursing & Science/Math Complex, it’s apparent that what is most important is the ability of the complex to enable the staff and students to achieve their best work.

DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL

One thing common when shooting high school photography is the many structures that use natural light. In southern California, the sun is an unavoidable perk of living and working in the region. The sun is also an ever-present source of heart and light. Many structures, like the Del Norte High School campus, make full use of the sun light as an effective way to heat and light the students and faculty staff.

The high school was designed by NTD Architecture, is located in 4S Ranch, a community of San Diego, California. The campus covers 210,093 square feet of land and has state-of-the-art facilities. The modern campus boasts some truly efficient and inviting features including five art labs, two music classrooms, and a drama classroom. Also included in the gorgeous campus are 11 career-technical education classrooms and a Performing Arts Center with a Fine Arts Village designed to blend traditional mediums of visual arts, drama and music.

One thing that struck me as remarkable about the Del Norte High School campus was the way the facilities looked more like those you would find on a small college campus. The auditorium is vast and has seating that brings to mind some of the professional performance halls in the area and beyond. The gymnasium, again utilizing the abundance of natural light that San Diego provides, could be well-placed on the campus of some of the nearby universities.

A San Diego architectural photographer can get used to seeing the array of structural artistry around the county, but when you come to a school like Del Norte, you are instantly reminded that there is nothing common or standard about the type of construction at work. Inside of the building and outside make up a creative use of space and environment and a place where students and staff can learn and perform at their very best.

SHARP CANCER CENTER, CHULA VISTA

After having covered it's construction, I was tasked with creating the official medical center photography package. After having photographed the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center during construction, I was eager to get the chance at shooting the structure after it was finished. The completed project was even more stunning that I could have imagined as I saw first saw it. What I could have not anticipated was the way the interior design was aimed toward an artistic and modern theme that really brings life to what was once cold steel and concrete framing. As a San Diego architectural photographer, I am always amazed to see the progression from unfinished construction project to architectural masterpiece in a relatively short period of time. Designed by NTD Architecture, the newly completed Cancer Center at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center was designed with vital input from those it will serve. By integrating natural light and soothing colors and sound, its aesthetics bring the outdoors inside, thereby creating a comforting environment for all. The finished building represents a sanctuary of relaxation and healing. Lush gardens can be seen from the corridors and waiting areas — even from the technically modern radiation treatment rooms. The open design uses light wells, windows and atrium spaces unlike any other radiation therapy center in San Diego County.

As you recall from the construction photos, the framing looked like a skeleton of a very modern structure. Still, having seen the completed building in the air of dusk, the final result is even more of a wonder than I could have predicted. Also from the construction photos, the image of the welder and what it said about detail was obviously a theme that was carried forth in all phases of the design and construction.

This will remain as one of my favorite projects during my time as a San Diego architectural photographer. To see the different stages in the creation of this facility was a joy to witness. I am sure the research and treatment conducted inside the building will live up to the brilliance of the facility itself.

HILLCREST MEDICAL CENTER

During my tenure as San Diego hospital photography artist, I’ve had the chance to photograph some truly important sites. For this project I got the opportunity to capture shots of an essential part of the region’s healthcare system; The UCSD Medical Center at Hillcrest’s Emergency Department. UC San Diego’s Hillcrest Medical Center is the focal point for UCSD Health System’s education and community service missions. The hospital recently engaged in several large project improvements, including the expansion of their emergency and trauma center designed by Mascari Warner Architects and constructed by KITCHELL.

The UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest is the primary hospital for the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

As Sand Diego’s only academic medical center, UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center provides both primary care and specialized services. The important services provided by the center include a full range of surgery, diagnosis and management of genetic disease, as well as neurology, orthopedics, oncology, and the Sleep Medicine Center.

This center was recently renovated. The 386-bed hospital at UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest is the primary site for services such as the Comprehensive Organ Transplant Program, Bone Marrow Transplantation, San Diego Regional Burn Center. Infant Special Care Center, Birth Center, San Diego County's only academic Level One Trauma Center, and the National Institutes of Health-designated Clinical Research Center are also found at this state-of-the-art facility.

You can see in the images a facility that is poised to receive patients and offer treatment that is both comforting and professionally effective. The building is constructed (and recently renovated) to take advantage of technology to aid the medical practitioners as they administer care. For this project I was able to capture some of the employees at work. While this and most of my other targets are important structures in their own right, seeing those who bring the structure to life through their work is an added touch that focuses us on the cooperation between the staff and the building.

SHARP CANCER CENTER, CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

One of the treats of being an architectural photographer and shooting construction progress photography is to see construction as it is happening. I recently produced some construction progress photos of the Sharp Chula Vista Cancer Center. The center was designed by NTD Architects and is being constructed by a joint venture of J. Reese Construction and Kitchell.

Once finished, the facility will measure 45,000 square feet over three stories. The first level will feature the Cancer Center. The cancer center floor of the building will span 15,220-square feet and will include essential facets such as the patient lobby and waiting areas, exam rooms, and a resource center. Additionally, the cancer center floor will house doctor offices, conference rooms, nurse stations, CT scan rooms. Radiation therapy chambers and indoor and outdoor healing gardens are prominent features that will make up the cancer center once the project is completed. The design makes extensive use of natural lighting, rock gardens and interior atriums to provide a comfortable spa-like ambiance in waiting, exam, and treatment areas. A dual entrance design is employed to provide privacy for cancer patients receiving treatments.

At the point in time when I was able to photograph the construction you can see the detail of the framing. The sturdy beams and other framework will serve as the skeleton for a facility that will be at the cutting edge of design and function once the project is complete. One shot in particular captures the essence of the construction. The welder fusing together two pieces of the building’s frame really works to bring this massive project down to an intimate level. Instead of being an abstract construction project, the image of the welder reminds us all that it is only by the capable hands of the workers that this project is even possible. To me, it reminds me of the detail that is necessary in order to accomplish anything great – whether as a construction worker or architectural photographer.

UC Riverside School of Medicine / Riverside, California

As a professional architectural photographer involved with university photography, the real joy is found in discovering new ways to capture works of design art. There were ample opportunities for appreciation at the UC Riverside School of Medicine. The subject of this shoot was the three-story School of Medicine Research Building located in Riverside, California. Designed by SRG Partnership, the structure spans approximately 58,000 square feet designed to meet the LEED Silver sustainability standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. Among the many facets of the building that caught my eye, the fascinating parts of learning about the complex were found in the details of the school’s commitment to efficiency and conservation. The research building utilizes natural day lighting and a “night flushing” cooling system to take advantage of cool nighttime air, thereby reducing energy usage for air conditioning. A portion of the building materials have recycled content and the landscaping is water-efficient.

You will notice from the images that the building embodies a forward-thinking design concept. Inside, the interior design shows a modern and clean look. You can almost feel the technology in the images – a sense of the technical genius that is applied to the research conducted at the school.

A professional architectural photographer is at his or her best when the subject of the shoot is able to stand as it is rather than be used to project a predetermined mood. I had no intentions to make anything new out of the building but rather to find and capture the ways in which the structure shines on its own.

The most important part of the facility is the staff of students and other researchers who utilize the building for their important work. These images show a building that is able to accommodate the professionals who work tirelessly to further the study of medicine. You can imagine that this stunning structure will continue to be the setting for groundbreaking research for years to come.

PETCO Park Baseball Stadium

The Petco Park Baseball Stadium photography project was very much an exercise of patience. After waiting for some time, I finally got to photograph PETCO Park, home major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres. This project has been in the works for well-over 8 months and I had grown quite excited to begin shooting. This particular session took a lot of coordination and preparation. An average project takes between a day and a half to two days to scout and photograph inside and out. Petco Park took a full day of scouting and attending four different ballgames to complete. Nonetheless, I had a blast with it. I imagine, if you ask any San Diego professional architectural photographer about what local project they want to photograph, PETCO Park would be near the top of the list. The architect, Antoine Predock, created truly an iconic structure inside and out. The client, Balfour Beatty (formerly Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc) constructed it at a cost of $450 million. The stadium broke ground in the summer of 2000 and completed in 2004. Opened in 2004 to replace Qualcomm Stadium, Petco Park immediately rose to the top of the heap as an architectural marvel in the San Diego area.

From the stands, you can see the breathtaking views afforded to fans of the San Diego skyline. This use of the surrounding features of the city to add to the experience of the game is a facet of Petco Park that helps it to be included in the list of America’s best ballparks. Inside the stadium, where fans can venture for refreshments between innings, the modern and spacious planning allows for comfort and efficiency that makes for an overall pleasing experience.

Much of baseball is rooted in tradition and a favorable look to the past. In Petco park, the tradition of baseball is honored in the construction of the field area while the overall theme of the stadium incorporates a modern feel that will serve Padres fan for decades into the future.