Photographing the Pasadena Showcase House Library

Photos © 2017 Brandon Vogts. All Rights Reserved.

Luxury designer Aaron B. Duke commissioned me to photograph his installation at the 2017 Pasadena Showcase House of Design. True to his focus on creating a story for every home, he created the perfect combination of warmth and sophistication, an homage to Gerald "Jerry" Robertson.

The Pasadena Showcase House of Design is an annual fundraiser organized by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. PSHA chooses a historically significant property each year to receive what is essentially a design makeover, inviting renowned designers to lend their expertise and creativity to revitalize the space. Each designer chooses a room, and they collaborate with the goal of maintaining their individual styles, while producing an overall harmonious result. This year, the lucky property was a 1916 Marston & Van Pelt English Tudor previously featured in La-La Land and Beaches, as well as several TV shows.

Logistically, this was one of my most challenging photo shoots to date. Due to strict parking regulations to minimize neighborhood disruption, we had to park at the Rose Bowl and take a shuttle to the site. Tours were in progress during the photo shoot, so in order to be respectful to those previewing the space, we paused as they examined Aaron's work. Oh, and did I mention we needed to be finished by 3pm?

This is where proper planning and communication between client and photographer really pays off. The space was very cozy, perfect for reading a book or napping on the sofa, but a bit of a challenge when negotiating a tripod, strobes, and the other necessary items! Working efficiently, we managed to complete the shoot by the deadline and were on our way back to the Rose Bowl in time for a late lunch.

Aaron's library installation was well received by several media outlets, including an article from Designerlebrity featuring more of the library photos. Congratulations are in order to Aaron, the other designers, and PSHA for their collective hard work and a successful, inspiring event.