Main author
Michael BrooksSimon Kennedy - Architectural photographer
(Greenwich Reach Bridge, Deptford for Moxon Architects)
Simon Kennedy is a London-based photographer specialising in architecture and interiors.
Simon's work has been exhibited and published widely, and his recent clients include The BBC, Hopkins Architects, MJP Architects, Sheppard Robson Architects, Jansen Magazine, Tank Magazine, Architecture Today, Building Design and Detail Magazine.
Simon also provides editorial images, and has experience in technical verified views photography for planning applications.
Simon answered some of Designing Buildings Wiki's questions about his career-to-date.
| Designing Buildings Wiki (DBW): How did you get started in photography? |
Simon Kennedy (SK): I had always been fascinated by photography as a child, then a student of architecture, and then as a professional working in the construction industry. It took me a while to figure out that it was what I should do for a living.
(Rowan Park, Merton, for Sheppard Robson)
| DBW: What was it that draw you to architectural photography in particular? |
SK: I am a qualified architect and practiced for a number of years - it is definitely the subject about which I am most passionate and also about which I know the most. The relationships between perspective, field of view, light and built form remain intriguing.
(Chambers Wharf, London for SimpsonHaugh)
| DBW: What is your favourite piece of equipment to work with? |
SK: My Arca Swiss D4 geared tripod head... a fantastic piece of precision engineering that is indispensable when you have to level a camera a hundred times in a day! Also, large format film remains an astonishingly beautiful medium.
| DBW: What do you find the most challenging part of being an architectural photographer? |
SK: There are many challenges, the weather is a constant issue in this country, but the biggest challenge is to produce an image that correlates to the architect's original vision for the project. This can be very difficult as there are often aspects of a completed project that the architect feels unhappy with. However, this makes the job very satisfying when you do make those images that succeed.
(Broadgate Circle, London for Arup Associates)
| DBW: What has been your favourite commission to work on? |
SK: I very much enjoy photographing bridges, the most recent one I have shot was by Moxon Architects in Deptford - a stunning structure. (See top image)
| DBW: Is there a building you would really like to get a chance to shoot? |
SK: The Tricorn Centre that once stood in Portsmouth. The systematic destruction of Brutalist buildings throughout the country is very sad.
(Heygate Abstracted, personal project)
| DBW: What advice would you give to an aspiring architectural photographer? |
SK: Get out and do it as often as you can - this is the only way to begin to understand how a building responds to different lighting conditions, and to develop your own vision. Also, study the types of images that are used to represent buildings - you need to know what the rules are even if you then decide to break them.
(Blackrock Training Centre, Portishead, Haverstock Associates)
(All images copyright of Simon Kennedy.)
To find out more about Simon Kennedy, visit his website.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Anthony Weller - Architectural photographer.
- Architectural photography.
- Construction cameras.
- Grant Smith - Architectural photographer.
- How to commission architectural photography.
- Interview with Paul Grundy - Architectural photographer.
- Photographing buildings.
- Samples and mock-ups.
- Student resources.
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.