because great architecture should never fade away

I didn’t start with a camera in my hand—I started my career in construction. For years, I worked on hospitals, universities, and tech campuses here in the Bay Area. These were massive projects that took years to design and build… and yet, the moment they were done, we packed up and moved on. No photos. No lasting record. Just incredible work that faded into memory almost overnight.

That stuck with me.

Long before that, I studied visual art, and later, architecture. Architecture felt like the perfect way to blend creativity with real-world impact—shaping spaces that touch people’s lives. But it was only after working in construction that I realized my true calling: to preserve those designs and the stories behind them through photography.

Today, I specialize in architectural photography that showcases projects at their very best—helping firms secure future work, win awards, and build a lasting legacy. My background in architecture and construction means I understand the details that matter most, and I know how to capture them in a way that resonates with both clients and peers.

I’ve had the privilege of photographing projects for firms such as SmithGroup, Flad Architects, Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture, Swinerton Builders, and Devcon Construction. My work has helped these teams enhance portfolios, gain recognition, and share their vision with the world.

At home in the San Francisco Bay Area, I live with my wife (an insanely talented chef), our two kids, and our two dogs. Every project I take on is personal—I see it as a chance to honor the countless hours and creativity that went into it. Your work deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated, and I’d love to help make that happen.

—Rob Calderwood