A few years ago, I photographed a colorful home in Sausalito designed by Kress Jack. The space was relaxed, layered, and full of personality. We weren’t shooting for a specific publication at the time, but I knew it had potential.
This spring, it was featured in Sunset.
As an interiors photographer, I’ve learned that getting published rarely happens on a set schedule. But when the design is strong, and the photography gives editors real options, projects tend to find their way.
A little about the home
Originally built in 1951 by Charles Warren Callister, the house has great bones. A little angular, a little offbeat, and full of natural texture. Kress leaned into that with bold color, mixed materials, and details that feel spontaneous but intentional.
There’s a corrugated metal kitchen island trimmed in brass that immediately draws the eye. The stair rail is wrapped in hand-painted rope, a detail that’s sculptural and playful without trying too hard. The downstairs level is quieter, with an all-white palette meant to reset your senses.
And then there’s the media room.
Dark walls, low light, and a 007 sign glowing in the corner—it doesn’t whisper, it leans in. This space feels like a movie set, somewhere between lounge and lair. It was a challenge to photograph, but also one of the most rewarding. Every surface absorbs light in its own way, and the room feels completely different depending on where you stand. It’s moody, dramatic, and impossible to forget.
Shooting with publication in mind
We didn’t know where this project would end up, but we shot it like it might go somewhere. That’s usually the approach—create a set that feels complete, whether or not there’s an outlet lined up.
Some rooms needed a lighter touch, others needed more shaping. I paid close attention to texture and contrast without washing out the mood. We captured the space as a whole, then filled in with details—moments, materials, angles that help an editor build a story if they choose to.
So when Sunset eventually reached out, everything was already there. No scrambling, no reshoots. Just ready.
For designers and brands
If you’re hoping your work might get picked up, it’s worth thinking beyond portfolio shots. Publications don’t just want beautiful spaces. They want story. That means variety, context, and images that give them room to work.
👉 Read the full feature in Sunset
Photography can’t guarantee press. But it absolutely sets the stage for it. Need interior photography that helps your work get seen?
Let’s talk — I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
