Specialist photography of architectural elements

I’m Matthew, I practiced as an architect and have worked on and photographed bespoke residential projects in parallel for over a decade. I understand what matters when specifying elements for a project.

This insight informs my photography - I help specialists showcase their products in real projects, creating images that resonate with specifiers.

A photographer who understands your target audience.

Black and white portrait of Matthew Smith, an architectural photographer. He is wearing a jacket and striped shirt, outdoors with blurred background.
Abstract interior architectural photograph showing a rooflight junction detail with brick walls, a wooden ceiling, and a doorway with natural light casting shadows. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural photograph of a modern, two-storey brick house by Cocoon Architects with solar panels on the roof, situated behind a field of wildflowers and tall grass. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

I showcase details in the wider context of real projects.

Shangri-La kitchen. Birch plywood lined walls, kitchen with white countertop, pendant lights, large window, and sliding glass door, designed by Mole Architects. A wire Bertoia chair in the sun. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Shangri-La, a modern Norfolk holiday house with large glass windows and a corrugated roof by Mole Architects. Illuminated from within, situated on a grassy lawn surrounded by trees at dusk. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Shangri-La, a modern Norfolk holiday house designed by Mole Architects. Timber cladding, corrugated roof and a yellow door onto deck, set in a grassy landscape with trees and a partly cloudy sky. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

Architects don’t specify from CGI.

They specify from seeing products in built projects they admire.

Interior architectural photograph of a top lit dining area with a wooden table, colourful chairs, and a white shelving unit, with sunlight casting shadows on the floor from a roof light. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural photograph of a man and woman standing outside a modern brick house with a bicycle nearby, smiling at the camera. Horizontal cladding above. House by Mole Architects, Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

I create images that show how materials and craftsmanship elevate a project.

Side view of a modern house exterior with gray and wooden facade, rectangular windows, situated in a natural setting with trees. Interior living room with exposed wooden ceiling, white walls, bookshelves, framed artwork, and a beige sofa with pattern
Collage of three photos: left shows a modern dining area with wooden table and yellow chairs, center features exterior view of a small blue extension to an older brick house with a backyard at dusk, right depicts children playing at a wooden table in
Two images of modern interior staircases with minimalist design, showcasing wooden and metal elements.
Wooden staircase with handrail, viewed from above, with sunlight casting shadows; staircase with slatted wood railing leading to a door with a window surrounded by greenery inside a minimalist wooden interior.
View of a living room through an open door with a white sideboard displaying glassware, pictures, and decorative items.
Interior shot of a modern living room with wood-paneled walls, firewood stacked on the wall, a black fireplace, a large window with a view of greenery, and a wooden chair. Abstract white architectural features of a ceiling corner. Exterior view of a
Close-up of a wooden exterior wall with horizontal planks and a glass window, paired with a view of a wooden louvered screen and greenery outside, and an interior room featuring a wooden ceiling, light-colored wooden walls, a hanging pendant lamp, a
A collage of three images: The left shows a close-up of modern house siding; the center features a contemporary house with a white exterior and large windows during dusk; the right depicts a man walking down a staircase inside a minimalist, modern ho
Left side: exterior view of a modern building with black corrugated metal siding, wooden framing around a large window showing a bright sky with clouds. Right side: interior room with wooden walls, a shelf with CDs, a small piece of artwork, a wooden
Close-up of a wooden ceiling with square recessed panels and visible grain patterns.
Three interior and exterior architectural photos: a close-up of a wooden cabinet and hanging light fixtures, concrete outdoor stairs with shadows, and an interior view of a staircase landing with natural light, framed art, a wall sconce, and paneled
Close-up of a modern building exterior featuring vertical wooden siding and a large window with curtain, with shadows and overhanging roof visible.
Three images showing different views of a house: the exterior front door painted yellow with wooden and white brick siding, a round window looking out to a wooden fence and plants, and a bright kitchen with white cabinets, a marble backsplash, and de
Architectural site photograph of a stack of cut larch timber frame members with handwritten markings and hole drillings on the ends, outdoors with blurred background. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural photograph of a waterfront scene with two swans swimming in the river Cam, a wooden boathouse by APA with a curved copper roof, and lush green trees surrounding the area. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural photograph of the interior of a wooden timber framed boathouse structure by a river with a boat in the background. Boathouse designed by Ashworth Parkes Architects, Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
A person cutting a piece of wood with a chisel and mallet, standing outdoors on autumn fallen leaves, using a workbench. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

I photograph elements in the way that architects think about them.

Architectural photograph of a wooden boathouse with a sloped copper roof, situated beside the river Cam, with trees in the background. Boathouse designed by Ashworth Parkes Architects, Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural site photograph of two larch timber frame members with handwritten markings and hole drillings on the ends, ready for connection, surrounded by fallen autumn leaves. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Man working on a wooden construction frame, cutting a piece with a Japanese hand saw during outdoor building project. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.
Architectural site photograph of people building a wooden framed boathouse in autumn, with fallen leaves on the ground and leafless trees overhead. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

Material quality reflected in exceptional projects.

A dining area with a wooden table, four black chairs, two framed abstract paintings, a window, and a skylight in a room with exposed wooden ceiling beams. House designed by Craft Atelier. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

Let’s discuss how to showcase your products in their best light.

Book a call
Modern kitchen with green/teal cabinets, beige stone backsplash, marble countertop, stainless steel sink, and a wooden ceiling with a cylindrical white ceiling light. Sunlight creates shadows. Photograph by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography.

  • “I could not be happier with Matthew’s work. His pictures were excellent, he was incredibly conscientious and he was a pleasure to deal with. We needed photos for a high-end brochure. Matthew went through the workload diligently and turned around the finished pictures very quickly. I can wholeheartedly recommend him.”

    Kieran Mahon, Developer

  • “We have worked closely with Matthew on a lot of projects over the years and cannot rate his work highly enough. His attention to detail and the ability to capture not only the physical nature of a project but also to give it life is fantastic. Working with photographers can often be a challenge but Matthew makes everything so easy and straightforward!”

    ID Systems

  • “Matthew provided an excellent service, producing some fantastic photos of a renovation of a mews house in London. He was extremely professional, being a qualified architect himself he understood exactly what was required and captured the building and its interiors beautifully. I am extremely pleased with the photographs and highly recommend his service.”

    Broadbent Design

  • “ We asked Matt to take some photos of a newly completed domestic project in Cambridge. He was very professional, visited the property on multiple occasions to get the best light and took some fantastic photos! Highly recommended!”

    MOOi Architecture

  • “Matt recently undertook a photoshoot of one of our completed projects. He was very professional and took the time to explain to us what he was doing. He spent the whole day at the property to ensure he captured each space in different lighting conditions. He was extremely quick with subsequent post-production and returned the photographs to us within a week. We were so impressed with Matt that we have already booked him in to photograph another project in the new year.”

    Butcher Bayley Architects

  • “Professional service and with a background in architecture, he knows what to look for. Happy to visit site at different points in the day allowing for various sun angles and dusk shots. Polite, prompt and friendly.”

    PiP Architecture

  • “Matt took photos of our house in Norfolk for our publicity and marketing materials as well as to use more generally e.g. publications and competitions. The results were fantastic. Matt worked extremely hard and went well beyond the call of duty.”

    Shangri-La, Waxham

  • "From initial discussions through to the submission of the completed edits, Matthew's service is fantastic. If you are looking for a professional photographer to maximise the value of your portfolio, Matthew is absolutely the person to speak to."

    Bob Bolton, RNB

  • “We have used Matthew to photograph all of our projects - he listens, understands and interprets our vision, he has a great eye for detail and is always professional and courteous when in our clients homes. It’s always a pleasure working together and we are looking forward to the next photo shoots! ”

    Stewart & Stewart Design

  • “Matthew was very responsive and did a lot of preparation work before arriving to work on site. He had his own ideas and was keen to know in detail what we required too - best of all he delivered some great pictures. Thank you!”

    Thomson Lavers Architects

  • “A pleasure to work with. We found Matt to have a great eye for detail and good technical knowledge coupled with a strong understanding for how to successfully capture each project at its best. He quickly interpreted our requirements and used initiative to exceed our expectations. Very approachable and respectful of our end users and their properties. Good value for money and flexible on timings. We would thoroughly recommend his services.”

    Patrick Allen & Associates Architects