The homes of humans

Helena Lee Studio

Short description

As an architectural photographer, I am deeply inspired by the human experience of feeling at home. My work is about, more than capturing beautiful structures, it’s about conveying a sense of presence, inviting viewers to step into each space and truly feel it. I’ve often been told that my photos create a vivid sense of feeling present, as if one could reach out and touch the textures, breathe in the atmosphere, and feel the light moving through the room.

I believe this comes from the way I approach my work, which is rooted in trust, openness and honesty. At a personal level in life, I aim to be as deeply present as possible, striving to create an environment where people feel at ease and genuinely themselves. I bring these same principles into my photography, allowing the spaces I capture to reveal themselves naturally and authentically. I love waiting for the light to tell its story, for the shadows to dance just right. This quiet observation allows me to capture moments that feel real and alive.

When photographing the featured projects in my portfolio this year – Meadow House and Barcelona House by Ström Architects, The Bide cabin in the English countryside, and ION Adventure Hotel in Iceland (all commissioned work) – I sought to capture not just their architectural beauty but the emotional essence of each of them. I wanted to portray how it feels to inhabit these places, to experience their calmness, warmth, and connection to the surrounding environment. My intention was to translate the sensation of “home” – a feeling of belonging, of being present and comfortable – into each image.

Working as the in-house photographer for Ström Architects, I have developed an understanding of their design philosophy. This connection allows me to intuitively capture the essence of their architecture. I aimed to reflect the elegance and harmonious flow of space that defines both Barcelona House and Meadow House, each in their own unique way. At Barcelona House, a spontaneous and playful moment led to my own appearance standing by the infinity pool.

Photographing The Bide cabin was a very personal and reflective process. For this photoshoot, I spent a weekend there with one of my closest friends. We first gave ourselves the time to feel the cabin as ours (even if just for a weekend). By allowing myself to experience the space intimately, I was able to capture its warmth. This approach reflects my belief that architecture is best photographed when its emotional resonance is genuinely felt.

At ION Adventure Hotel, I wanted to capture the building immersed in Iceland’s dramatic volcanic landscape. Returning to Iceland, a place I now call home, made this photoshoot especially meaningful. One unforgettable moment was photographing the horses that roamed freely in front of the hotel. Using my drone to quickly adapt to their movement, helped me capture the raw character of that scene. That image was later printed on the cover of Directions Magazine by Design Hotels, featuring the dialogue between nature and architecture.

For me, architectural photography is about capturing the intangible. It’s about seeing beyond the physical structure, to reveal the soul of the space. I am drawn to the beauty and emotion in design, to the way light brings a room to life, to the quiet elegance of lines and textures, to how architecture speaks with its context. I seek out what moves me and, through my lens, I strive to create images that resonate with others on a deeply human level.