"My journey to architectural photography has been quite varied," Luke begins, reflecting on his beginnings in the late '90s. "I studied vehicle design at university in the UK. After graduation, I embarked on a near-ten-year career as an automotive designer, starting at Jaguar and Aston Martin in the UK." His venture in vehicle design took him to Sweden's Volvo Cars, and by 2006, he found himself in Melbourne, joining Ford Australia’s large design program.
But it was amidst the world of automobiles that a new spark ignited. "During my time as a designer at Ford, I started to get very interested in photography," Luke recalls. This combined interest, intertwined with his passion for classic automobiles, catalysed the creation of his automotive magazine business within a year of picking up his first DSLR camera. "I left Ford and spent almost 14 years travelling far and wide, photographing amazing machines from all over the world and showcasing them through the magazines."
Yet, as the world grappled with the pandemic, Luke found himself at a crossroads. "The COVID-19 pandemic was a particularly pensive time for me, and after much deliberation, I decided to pivot from automotive photography into a genre for which I had always had a keen interest—architecture." He sees his career in chapters: "Auto design was one, auto photography and publishing was the second, and now architecture photography is the third chapter."
When asked how his background plays a role in his current work, Luke explains, "Working in automotive design gave me training and experience." This foundation gives him a unique lens, enabling him to observe how a building sits in its surroundings and how the light falls across it at different times of the day.
As for his inspirations? Luke finds them in a myriad of places. "I get inspired looking at how other creatives are approaching their given field." This includes a deep appreciation for the artistry in films, where Directors of Photography work their magic. He admires photographers like Stephen Shore, Julius Shulman, Nicolas Grospierre, and many more, drawing intricate parallels between their work and visual storytelling.
Now based in South East Queensland, Luke's journey continues, ever evolving and marked by a fascination with both digital and film photography. Open to architectural photography assignments across Australia, he weaves these new chapters into his story.
Explore the full spectrum of Luke's portfolio on his official website and catch behind-the-scenes insights and recent projects on his Instagram.
Towers Road House by Wood Marsh (Left). Two Halves House by Moloney Architects (Right). Photography by Luke Ray.
