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church in Iceland

Storytelling in Architecture: A Photography Project with Click Magazine

A project very close to my heart is featured in the summer edition of Click magazine. It is called “Seeing Architecture.” Honestly, seeing my photographs in print is always special, but the real gift was getting to walk alongside the community during our January Click Pro project.

When we started, my hope was simply to encourage fellow photographers to slow down. It is so easy to get caught up in the technical side of photography—worrying about straight lines, grid lines, and perfect distortion control. But architecture is rarely just about the math.

interior czech fortress
The way the arch framed the table felt like a quiet embrace, and the table looked so incredibly inviting. It made me think about how spaces are meant to be lived in, gathered around, and shared.

The Heart of the Project

Seeing the article in print really brought the purpose of the project back to light:

“Photographer Laura Mares encouraged our Pros to slow down and consider why a place matters, how it feels, and what makes it unique. The project emphasizes that architecture photography is ultimately about how we experience spaces, not simply how they look.”

interior czech fortress
Here I was drawn to the deep shadows and how the light felt stretching across the space. To me, this space felt calm and reflective.

How Space Feels

For me, architectural photography has never really been about just checking off technical boxes. I’ve always felt that buildings aren’t just empty, quiet objects. They have a history, a purpose, and a presence all their own.
 
During our January project, I wanted to challenge the community—and myself—to look past the standard design exercises. For me, architecture photography is about how spaces make us feel. Every structure tells a story through its lines, shapes, materials, light, and surroundings.
 
When I shoot, I force myself to slow down and ask why a place exists and what makes it worth noticing. Some buildings feel bold and powerful; others feel quiet and organic. My goal is simply to translate that feeling into an image, making it an interpretation of a place rather than just a technical record.
 
Before capturing a shot, I encourage you to consider:
  • What do I love about this place?
  • What makes this space unique?
  • How does this space make me feel when I stand in it?
  • What draws me in—is it the history, the design, the materials, or a feeling?
Downtown Pittsburgh
For this final image, I wanted to capture a piece of home. I love how Pittsburgh shows you something entirely new if you are just willing to look past the usual views.

Composition, Environment, and Mood

When photographing buildings, there are so many physical and environmental elements to consider. We can look at how leading lines and structural symmetry can ground an image, or how focusing on simplicity and repeating patterns can completely change our perspective. It is also worth noticing how the surrounding environment, along with the play of light and shadow, can completely transform how a space is experienced.

church in Iceland
The wide angle transforms a small church into an emotional anchor within a vast, unyielding landscape. A quiet reminder that we are both small and significant.

Bringing a fine art perspective to your session

Slowing down to interpret space, light, and emotion doesn’t just apply to buildings. It is the exact same lens I bring to my portrait, branding, and senior sessions. When we choose a location for your shoot, we aren’t just picking a backdrop—we are choosing an environment that tells your story and mirrors your unique energy.

A huge thank you to the Click Pro community for diving headfirst into this project with me, and to Click for showcasing our vision in print.

Be sure to pick up the summer issue to see the full layout! The magazine is packed with many inspiring articles from the community.

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Laura Mares

I'm thankful to be a wife, mother and Pittsburgh lifestyle photographer. I photograph because I believe that life is simply beautiful and every person has a story worth telling. I'd love to tell yours.

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