Good Work — Cover Story
This is the latest installment in our series featuring outstanding professionals we are fortunate to work with on a regular basis.
Peter Rymwid’s work has been published on our front cover more than that of any other photographer—31 times to be exact. What’s his secret? He continually challenges himself to capture the essence of the spaces he photographs. “There was a story behind all of them,” he says.
Organizing a photo shoot takes both elbow grease and a good design eye. “It involves moving furniture and hunting for appropriate props around the house.” It can also take patience when working with designers who are, understandably, very meticulous. He notes that one designer nixed a shot because “the petal of a rose was unappealing.” The scrupulous attention to detail is worth it, says Peter, when he sees “the overwhelmed joy of the client” at the resulting photographs.
One of Peter’s most memorable assignments for Design NJ was photographing the home of renowned architect Michael Graves, before Graves’ passing in March of 2015. (The story appeared in the magazine’s 15th Anniversary Issue–August/September 2015.) “To me, photographing Michael’s home was so important. I love architecture, so to be involved with capturing it in photos made me feel like I was part of it. All his personal life was there—his paintings, drawings, pictures, and him in person!” Peter says he impulsively “asked Michael if it was okay to be photographed together. I’d never asked to be photographed with a client before, but something told me this was important to do.” Graves died two weeks later in his bedroom in that home.
Peter is particularly gratified to share experiences like this with our readers. He clearly delights in his work and is justifiably proud. “The covers look particularly attractive standing out from the rest of the magazines in the Barnes & Noble magazine rack,” he says. “That makes me happy!”
Photos
Above, Left: Peter with architect Michael Graves. Photo: Peter Rymwid
Above, Right: Peter and homeowner Debbie Aronson at a recent photo shoot. “He was such a delight and a real pro,” she says. The Aronson residence will be featured in a future issue. Photo: Ellen Sweeney
Bottom, Right: Peter and Jose Achi, Director of Design Development at Clodagh Design, prep a countertop for its close-up. Photo: Ellen Sweeney.