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A home is one of the important works of architecture for humankind, for shelter is an essential requirement we all need to survive. But a house has become much more than just protection from the elements and even more than a place to live. Houses give architects—and the homeowners who commission them—a blank slate of possibilities to experiment with and express yourself in. And a skilled photographer is just as integral to the process in bringing this unique space out into the world.
Richard Powers knows this better than most. The Nice, France-based photographer but shooting worldwide specializes in interiors, architecture, and the built environment. And with 20 published coffee table books to his name and over 25 years of experience, Powers is a guiding force in the field.
Many of Richards’s past commissions were booked because of his infectious enthusiasm, unique eye, and how he frames and lights his images.
I am self-taught, having picked up a camera in Australia in 1986. I have a very natural style that allows the viewer to be drawn into the space without being distracted by crazy angles and lighting.
The Iconic American House is Richards’s latest book and part of an ongoing project to photograph the most celebrated homes from the last century. The first book was titled The Iconic House, published in 2009, which covered houses from all over the world. However, this latest book centers solely on iconic houses in the US.
Thanks to his past endeavors, Richard has accumulated a high level of trust from his publisher, “Thames & Hudson,” which allows him a certain amount of creative liberty. For this project, he shot 50 houses, with between 20 to 40 images for each place, with 8 to 12 selected for the final book in cooperation with the publisher. The result is a spectacular compendium of the most innovative and influential architectural masterpieces in the United States since 1900. Truly any design aficionado bible.
Initially, the images are used as inspiration and education for anybody interested in residential architecture from the last 120 years. Still, I also like to think that I am collating and documenting these Iconic Houses for future generations, creating a unique body of work that can become a resource.
Every house is invariably distinct in style, background, and logistics. Some were remote and very challenging for Richard to reach. To overcome this, he used all forms of transport, a combination of planes & automobiles .. with the odd train!.
Conditions vary depending on the weather I am given. I like to shoot in all weather and have no preconceptions. This kept the project fresh and less predictable. As the budget was tight, I usually had just one to two days to capture each house.
The photoshoots were usually just Dominic Bradbury (the writer of the book) and Richard on set, and occasionally the architect or homeowner, resulting in an intimate and tranquil shooting environment.
The calmer the energy is, the more I thrive!
I have been photographing houses for the last 20 years, and with each one, I am drawn to the angles that have previously been shot .. if I find those angles myself, then so be it .. in my heart, it feels good!
Richard’s photography is constantly evolving as each shoot brings new challenges with the geographic, meteorological, and general constraints of an uncontrolled environment that need to be worked out on the day to get the most out of the shoot.
In addition to the creative eye, successful photographers are also problem solvers; keeping an open mind and a sheer determination to solve any problems resulted in the images on the pages of this book!
Iconic American was the first of the books to center on just one region, chosen because of the sheer wealth and eminence of iconic houses that can be found across the US.
The challenge was to fairly represent the country geographically. The size of America meant a lot of traveling to get to each destination. I always say the greatest challenge of these projects is getting to the locations .. the photography was the easy part!!
Photographing Frank Lloyd Wright’s infamous “Fallingwater” was a particular highlight for Richard, but it almost didn’t happen. The night before, Richard flew into Pittsburgh a major storm struck the area, which persisted into the early morning.
When I drove out to the location about 2 hours away, I was committed to shooting as the house had been closed to visitors for me, so there was no postponing. As I pulled up to the car park, it stopped raining and held off throughout the shoot until I pulled away 8 hrs later, and it started to rain again … I was blessed with no falling water that day!!
And despite recently finishing the book, the industrious Richard is already looking forward to future editions of the Iconic House series.
I have just finished shooting The Iconic British House, and in the next 3 years, I will be shooting The Iconic Mediterranean House & The Iconic Nordic House – a big undertaking as each book has 40 – 50 houses. It’s an ongoing journey that allows me to travel to new and exciting destinations each year!
See more of Richard’s work on his website.
Credits
Writer: Dominic Bradbury
Publisher: Thames & Hudson