In Focus is Archinect's new series of features dedicated to profiling the photographers who help make the work of architects look that much better. What has attracted them to architecture? How do they work? What type of equipment do they use? What do they think about seeing their work in blogs?

In this feature, we talk to Luc Roymans, a young photographer based in Antwerp.
 

Archinect: What is your relationship with architecture? What drew you to architecture, as a photographer?

Luc Roymans: I actually started with architecture photography unintentionally. I have a background in reportage and nature photography. A couple of years ago, a contact of mine worked for a publishing company that needed some architecture shots from specific buildings in the city I was then living in. They liked the result, and i got more assignments. I very much liked the type of photography, since it enabled me to fully focus on composition and the graphical side from photography (which was not as straight forward when doing reportage). Gradually I progressed to a specialization in interior design photography.


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House 'Stef & Britt' in Antwerp, Belgium by Britt Crepain & Stefan Spaens (CSD Architecten ) -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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House 'Stef & Britt' in Antwerp, Belgium by Britt Crepain & Stefan Spaens (CSD Architecten ) -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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House 'Stef & Britt' in Antwerp, Belgium by Britt Crepain & Stefan Spaens (CSD Architecten ) -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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House 'Stef & Britt' in Antwerp, Belgium by Britt Crepain & Stefan Spaens (CSD Architecten ) -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

Describe how you work... who are your clients?

LR: I need at least an hour to adapt to a new project. I also like to get as much background info on it before I start from the architect, inhabitants, etc, etc. It's hard to capture the 'essence' of a project. An architect always has a certain vision which you have to transform from a 3D reality to a 2D alteration. In that transition, you try to put the emphasis on the designers vision.

My clients consist of magazines and publishers for the editorial shoots. Architects, designers, manufacturers, general companies and construction companies for the commercial shoots.


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Loft Koka in Antwerp, Belgium by sculp(IT) architecten
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Loft Koka in Antwerp, Belgium by sculp(IT) architecten
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Loft Koka in Antwerp, Belgium by sculp(IT) architecten
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Loft Koka in Antwerp, Belgium by sculp(IT) architecten
Photography by Luc Roymans

Do you mostly work in a specific region? What is your travel schedule like?

LR: I mostly work in Belgium, where I currently live. I had put a lot of time and effort in the American market, but the crisis has put the long foreign adventures on the backburner. I live in a part of the world were a lot of very talented architects live, so I'm lucky that i don't have to go very far to find great looking projects. In general I do about 3 big trips a year...depending of the amount of projects I can find and book in advance.


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Private residence/architecture office of and by sculp(IT) architecten in Antwerp, Belgium -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence/architecture office of and by sculp(IT) architecten in Antwerp, Belgium -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence/architecture office of and by sculp(IT) architecten in Antwerp, Belgium -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

What is your goal when capturing buildings in photographs?

LR: To capture the vision of the architect and interior designer.


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Private residence in Belgium by denc! studio
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence in Belgium by denc! studio
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence in Belgium by denc! studio
Photography by Luc Roymans

What are your thoughts about including people in your photos? Is it important to photograph a building in use, or by itself?

LR: Well, I like the two types of shoots. It depends on the magazine or client you shoot for. I do tend to feel that including people/pets, etc, etc into a shoot often distracts from the architecture. On the other hand, including some 'life' can really make a project come to life. I shoot a lot of interior design editorials, and adding some form of 'human touch' can greatly enhance the appeal of a project.

So depending on the circumstances, I think both types of shoot can work very well. What I don't like at all are overstyled shoots.


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Walter Gropius building
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence in Belgium by ABS Bouwteam
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Private residence in Asse, Belgium by Verdickt & Verdickt architecten -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

What are your favorite pieces of equipment?

LR: Nothing specific - I'm happy to use anything that gets the job done well.


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Project by Kove d-sign
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Project by Kove d-sign
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Project by Kove d-sign
Photography by Luc Roymans

Do you work alone?

LR: Yes, only on commercial shoots where time is a factor (and if I'm shooting with studio lights), I consider using an assistant. For me to get into the mindframe required to successfully shoot a project, I need to be alone with the subject. Having an assistant actually distracts me.


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House Kempeneers in Borgloon, Belgium by Klaarchitectuur -- this project was previously featured on Archinect
Photography by Luc Roymans

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House by Iwan Vermeirsch of Ex-it Architecture
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Apartment in Brugge, Belgium by Kevin Van Volcem
Photography by Luc Roymans

How do you feel about seeing your photographs on blogs and websites?

LR: I make my living selling pictures. At the moment, the rates for getting 'published' on blogs and websites are extremely low or non-existent but I believe it's a helpful way of getting a project noticed to a variety of people. I also try to work as much as possible with starting design agencies...blogs are a great way for them to reach a big international audience.


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Project by Sixx Design
Photography by Luc Roymans

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Project by Leo Ribbens
Photography by Luc Roymans



Luc Roymans (Antwerp, 1977) graduated at the department of Photography at the school for Audiovisual Techniques in Antwerp. After going through a variety of photographic ranges, he chose specifically to focus on and specialise in interior design photography. Learning different aspects from every range, he was able to apply this knowledge and develop his own style.

Although it’s difficult to represent the thing you love the most, Luc found a way to combine his vision on photography with the world of interior design.

Luc's work has been featured in many international interior design / architecture magazines and publications such as Elle Deco, Bo Bedre, Maru, C3, Interior design, Marie Claire Maison, Häuser, Nôithat, Feeling Wonen, Domus, Viver Bem, India Today, etc, etc.

He is currently represented by Chilli Media , his personal site can be viewed at www.roymans.com .