Telling a Story of Home
Robert Peterson
When it comes to photographing meaningful moments, Robert Peterson of Rustic White Interiors is a force behind the lens, capturing life's simple moments that matter. Robert's journey into photography happened by chance when he bought his wife Tiffany a camera for fun. Tiffany began shooting weddings, and Robert would come along as moral support to be her second shooter. At the time, Robert was a personal trainer and, while at a client's home, met designer Brian Patrick Flynn. Brain noticed his work and hired him to shoot one-off home interior projects. This chance meeting seven years ago led Robert to travel the country, capturing designers and homeowners in their homes.
“I want the imagery to look slightly more beautiful than real life.”
His favorite part of photographing interiors is collaborating with clients. "Being on set, working collaboratively with designers and stylists to frame up and flesh out the home's story is my favorite part of the job. I want the imagery to look slightly more beautiful than real life. With interior and architecture photography, it's very easy to capture things and build an aesthetic that feels a bit harsh and cold. I want my photos to carry a degree of softness and beauty with lighting and play of shadows throughout, says Peterson.
“I'm often walking around deciding what elements and angles tell the story and how the composition will bring the viewer through a room.”
For Robert, the key component in capturing a room is deciding the space's story. Rarely does he capture a room in its entirety or with a wide-angle lens. "I'm often walking around deciding what elements and angles tell the story and how the composition will bring the viewer through a room. Doing this may mean we rearrange the furniture in the space, pull elements out, or add elements. Once we decide on the composition and design layout, we think through styling and fleshing out the story of who lives here, he says.
“It’s important not to let ego get in the way and feel you have to take a certain photo because you originally thought it was the strongest to tell the story of the space.”
Robert says telling the story of a home through photography is all about taking a moment to slow down, be patient, walk the space and give yourself permission to be wrong and rest. “It’s important not to let ego get in the way and feel you have to take a certain photo because you originally thought it was the strongest to tell the story of the space. Sometimes a vignette can evoke more emotion and tell the viewer more about the space than pulling back for a full wide,” says Robert.
For more lighting and design inspiration, visit us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter and use #CrystoramaStyle to share your designs!
