JC Buck- The Genius Behind The Lens

Today we would like to profile a very talented photographer JC Buck.  He practices in field traditional lighting techniques with modern digital capture, as well as post-processing of multiple exposure blending and highly technical composite techniques. His photographs are characterized as being exceptionally clean, sharp, realistic, and inviting. JC Buck has photographed some of our Proto projects and the shots were simply stunning, true pieces of art. We will be collaborating again very soon  and  meanwhile we decided to catch up with JC Buck to hear more about his recent travels, thoughts about prefab industry and Proto Homes, as well as his career aspirations.

How did you start in Architectural Photography?

I got my start photographing real estate listings. I had always wanted to work in photography, ever since my first dark room class back in High School. Photography as a business came later for me. I spent a decade plus in the corporate healthcare sector, specifically sales and marketing roles, before deciding to go for it and start a photography studio. Today, my business is focused on architecture and interiors and I mainly document the work of architects, interior designers, developers and commercial businesses.

What is your cultural and professional background?

I am third generation American and grew up in Minnesota and spent four years in Brussels, Belgium during my elementary years. My ancestors migrated to the US from England, Scandinavia and Germany. Although, many say I look Italian. My background professionally has been business sales and marketing prior to working as a creative. I have an undergraduate marketing degree from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Colorado Denver. Despite having a business background, deep down I am a creative person. I have always been, every since I was a little kid. I’m thankful for my experience in the corporate world and business school as its helped me tremendously in building a profitable and sustainable photography studio.

What types of buildings do you like to photograph the most? Commercial, residential?

I love photographing architecture. It’s a challenging subject to work with, despite the simple fact buildings don’t move! I enjoy working with commercial buildings just as much as residential. With residential, I often get to spend time with the owners and learn about what they love about their homes which I enjoy. I view my job as documenting, promoting and serving as an advocate of the architecture I photograph regardless whether it is a commercial building or a private residence. I am particularly drawn to modern and simplistic designs. I love everything from American Mid Century Modern to the simple and clean minimalistic lines of modern Scandinavian design to anything that is very sculptural and outer worldly, like Frank Gerhy’s buildings. 

What is the biggest source of inspiration for you?

I am inspired by all types of creators who successfully build businesses mirroring their passions. In the field of architecture photography specifically, I am drawn to the work of Iwan Baan, Fernando Guerra, Ema Peter, James Silverman and of course, the late Julius Schulman and Ezra Stoller, who were the original God Fathers of American Architectural photography. Schulman and Stoller’s images have been widely credited with influencing the popular Californian Mid Century Modern movement. For me, photographers are communicators, journalists, advocates and tell stories using the most powerful language we have, imagery. The photographers I’ve highlighted all have authoritative visual voices in the architectural space they document. I am mainly driven by this. It’s not enough to make a pretty picture of a building. My goal is to tell a story with each image I make.

You have photographed quite a few prefab homes throughout California. What are your thoughts on the advantages of prefab construction over traditional stick built homes?

For me, prefab homes make so much sense. I’m interested in the design and manufacturing process. The entire process, whether the home is completely prefabricated or each component is and later assembled on site, the workflow just makes sense. As I mentioned, I am drawn to modern design and many of today’s prefab homes, especially coming out California, are very modern. From my perspective, the main advantage is quality control. Of course there can be cost and certainly time advantages to going the prefab route, but quality is what I would care about most. The major negative in the traditional home building process, in my opinion, is the amount of hands that touch a project. There are too many opportunities for things to break down and mistakes to happen. Ask anyone who has built a home whether or not it was on time or budget and you rarely hear that it was.

What are your thoughts about Proto Homes?

I love Proto Homes! I was immediately attracted by the design. I like the lines, materials used, and especially the high ceilings with beautiful natural light. One major difference and advantage to the Proto Homes approach is the house doesn’t not need to be transported via tractor trailer. They are assembled on-site. This allows the homes to be bigger and have higher ceilings. Many prefabs that I have been in are typically too narrow due to how they had to be transported and therefore feel too much like a traditional mobile prefab home. People don’t want a prefab home that you can tell is a prefab. When you are in a Proto Home or viewing one from the street, you would never be able to tell it’s a prefab home. I judge any architecture with how the building makes me feel. When you walk into a Proto Home, it just feels good.

What is most rewarding in Architectural Photography?

Nothing is more rewarding in photography than seeing your work in print. The whole reason I am a photographer opposed to a videographer, or both, is to see my work through to the final print. For me, I am a marketer, a promoter, an advocate of the things I am passionate about when it comes to architecture and design. While I enjoy writing and speaking, and have done a great deal of public speaking, for me nothing is more effective than visual imagery in telling stories. Today, we are inundated with images and we are only using images and motion video more and more to communicate because at the end of the day, its so effective. It’s a universal language. When I see my work published and being used in my clients marketing efforts, that is very rewarding.

What are your dreams career goals? Do you have any exciting projects that you are working on?

My main goal is to serve as an advocate of architecture and design. I have long term goals of creating am architecture and design print/electronic publication. I also want to start speaking about the projects that I photograph. However, as I grow my studio its important that I am always behind the lens. I want to see my own work through from onsite capture, to post production, to the final print. I have no interest in building out a large studio team and turning my business into a corporation or franchise. 2016 has been very good to me. I have had the opportunity to photograph everything from luxury penthouse condos, to large scale commercial and municipal projects, to even the renovation of a historic mortuary.

You just came back from Iceland; can you share some tips about visiting this beautiful country? What was the most memorable experience there?

Iceland is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. The landscape is absolutely stunning. Iceland has everything from volcanos to glaciers, to the best geo thermal springs I have experienced! Even better is the hospitality of the Icelandic people. They are beautiful people who have great pride in their heritage and love to welcome tourists. My girlfriend and I went through a company called Escape to Shape. It was a group trip that revolved around health and wellness filled with daily activities and amazing healthy local food. It’s impossible to experience all of Iceland in one trip, but for starters, I definitely recommend at least one full day in Reykjavik to visit the Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrimskirkja Church, a day trip around the Golden Circle, and eat a lot of fish! Also, do not buy drinking water. Iceland has the best water in the world and the water straight of the tap is better than any bottled water I’ve had. Lastly, we stayed at the Ion Hotel, rated one of the best design hotels in the world, designed by an Icelandic couple(Minarc) now living in LA. I highly recommend it.

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