Slowing Down to Capture the Soul of Architecture w/ Simon Devitt

Welcome to the Prop Media Podcast!In this special episode, hosts Matty and Moses sit down with internationally recognized architectural photographer Simon Devitt.If you are feeling caught up in the daily hustle of traveling between multiple property shoots and are strictly looking for business principles, this might not be the episode for you. Instead, this conversation invites you to slow down, pause, and explore the philosophy of art, beauty, pace, and what it looks like to bring your soul into your work.Before diving in, we highly recommend visiting Simon's website to look at his renowned portfolio. Seeing his work provides essential context for the discussion, where he details his unique signature approach of artfully incorporating people into architectural spaces and staging natural family moments.**Key topics discussed in this episode include:**  * **Roots & Inspiration:** How Simon's childhood memories of his father's family slideshows in New Zealand sparked his early excitement and lifelong love for photography.  * **The Creative Mindset:** Shifting away from a "commodity" or document-style approach to real estate photography toward a mindset focused on exploration and capturing genuine human elements.  * **Preparation & Process:** Simon's meticulous step-by-step planning process, which begins three weeks out from a shoot, to rule out disruptions and safely manage human interaction on location.  * **The Art of Photo Books:** The slow, tangible, and highly reflective process behind Simon's publishing work, including his very first photo book that took seven years to create.  * **Reconnecting with Photography:** Practical advice for production real estate photographers on how to step away from screens, ignite their personal curiosity, print physical copies of their work, and engage with the world through fresh eyes.Tune in, step out of the rat race for a moment, and enjoy a meditative conversation on the true spirit of being a photographer.*If you enjoyed the episode or want to keep this conversation going, feel free to reach out\!*Chapter Markers:00:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview02:01 - Simon's Background & Early Inspiration05:25 - Incorporating People into Architectural Spaces11:22 - Client Communication & Strategic Shoot Planning15:28 - The Reflective Art of Creating Photo Books19:56 - Real Estate Commodity vs. Artistic Architecture Photography27:07 - Finding a Balance: Spontaneity, Editing, and the On-Site Environment40:45 - Practical Creative Advice for Production Photographers49:33 - Book Publishing & Upcoming Releases51:56 - Where to Follow Simon & Closing Remarks