Maksym Vasyliuk: Photographing Property with Clarity & Soul

I’m honoured to receive this recognition from the London Photography Awards.

My name is Maksym Vasyliuk, and I specialise in real estate and interior photography, currently working across New York, New Jersey, and beyond. What first drew me to photography was a deep fascination with light and space - and how visual storytelling can completely transform how we experience an environment.

Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, I moved to the United States at the end of 2022. With no contacts and no shortcuts, I had to build my career from scratch - guided only by vision, discipline, and the desire to create images that resonate. Over time, my work has evolved from simple documentation into a refined visual language that helps properties connect, impress, and sell.

Today, I collaborate with leading real estate teams, architects, and designers to craft visuals that are both strategic and emotionally compelling. This award marks a powerful milestone - a reflection of creative persistence and a reminder of the impact photography can have when it's done with intention.

The award-winning piece was created for a beauty salon located in the heart of Manhattan. From the moment I entered the space, I was inspired by its harmony - the interplay of soft textures, clean lines, and natural light created a refined yet inviting atmosphere. My goal was to capture not just the design, but the feeling the space evoked: elegance, calm, and confidence.

This project marked a turning point for me. It was one of the first times I was asked not just to document a space, but to elevate it - to create an image that feels editorial, aspirational, and deeply intentional.

Winning this award validates that approach. It reminds me how far I’ve come since starting over in a new country, and it encourages me to keep pushing boundaries - visually, professionally, and creatively. It’s an incredible honour and a meaningful milestone in my photography journey.

For me, it’s about emotional impact and clarity of intention. When selecting a photo for a competition, I ask myself: "Does this image tell a story? Does it make you feel something within the first few seconds?"

I look for photographs that go beyond technical precision - they need to reflect my perspective, my values as an artist, and the kind of visual language I want to be known for. I also consider how the image stands on its own, outside of the full project context. A strong competition piece should be self-contained, yet spark curiosity about what surrounds it.

In the end, it’s less about showing my most complex work and more about showing the one that’s most alive.

It started with curiosity - a desire to observe the world more deeply and to hold on to moments that felt fleeting. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d become a photographer, but once I held a camera, something shifted. It gave me a reason to slow down, to notice light, shape, silence - and to turn ordinary spaces into something memorable.

What drew me in was the idea that photography isn’t just about what you see - it’s about how you choose to see it. That perspective has stayed with me ever since.

Interior and architectural photography is where I feel most at home. I love the challenge of translating physical space into emotional experience - making someone feel the atmosphere of a room just by looking at a still image.

What draws me to this genre is the balance between control and intuition. Every detail matters - the alignment, the lighting, the perspective - but the magic happens when everything comes together to tell a quiet, compelling story.

I don’t just capture walls and furniture. I capture how a space breathes, how it reflects the people who designed or inhabit it, and how it can evoke aspiration in the viewer. That’s why I keep coming back to this work - because when done right, it goes far beyond the visual.

I use the Sony A7RV paired with ultra-wide and standard zoom lenses, depending on the shooting conditions. My go-to lens is the Sony 12–24mm f/2.8 GM - it delivers outstanding sharpness with minimal distortion, which is essential for architectural and interior photography.

This setup gives me the precision I need without compromising on flexibility. The dynamic range of Sony cameras is especially valuable when working with natural light, as it allows me to capture both highlights and shadows accurately - a must for high-end interiors where atmosphere and texture are everything.

One of my favourite features is the ability to connect the camera directly to a tablet. This lets me review the image on a larger screen and make real-time adjustments on set. Being able to fine-tune framing and alignment on the spot ensures that every element is exactly where it needs to be - and in my work, those subtle refinements make all the difference.

I want them to feel presence - as if they’ve stepped into the space themselves.

My goal is to create images that don’t just show a place but evoke a quiet pause, a sense of connection, or even a touch of aspiration. Whether it’s a home, a salon, or a commercial space, I want the viewer to feel something real - calm, curiosity, desire - before they even realise why.

If an image stays with someone after they’ve scrolled past it, I’ve done my job.

The most challenging part was preserving the playful yet refined character of the space while maintaining a clean, editorial composition. The beauty salon has strong design elements - bold curves, sculptural lighting, reflective surfaces, and layered textures - which can easily overpower the viewer if not carefully composed.

I had to work around several lighting temperatures and reflections from glass and metal, all while making sure the colour palette remained true to life. The symmetry of the scene also required precise alignment - a small tilt could easily disrupt the visual flow.

Ultimately, it was about finding the right balance between energy and calm. I wanted the image to feel inviting and dynamic, yet controlled - just like the space itself.

I’m most inspired by thoughtfully designed spaces - places where architecture, light, and intention come together. It could be a high-end residence, a boutique workspace, or a quiet corner of a city - what matters to me is how the space feels and how it communicates without words.

New York, in particular, continues to inspire me. Its rhythm, diversity, and contrast push me to observe more deeply and shoot more deliberately. No two locations are ever the same here - and that unpredictability keeps my creative energy alive.

At the core, I’m inspired by spaces that carry a story - even if it’s subtle. My work is about uncovering and amplifying that story through the lens.

Rather than a single person, my biggest influence has been the idea of design-driven storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to photographers and architects who treat space as a narrative - where every line, shadow, and texture is intentional.

Photographers like William Jess Laird and Mike Kelley have shaped the way I approach my work. William’s sensitivity to mood and elegance, and the way he captures the soul of a space, has been deeply inspiring. On the other hand, Mike Kelley’s technical precision and structured methodology continue to influence how I plan, light, and refine each scene.

But above all, I’m inspired by the spaces themselves - their light, silence, and personality. Every project is a new conversation between emotion and geometry, and that’s what keeps the creative process alive for me.

Entering photography awards is more than just about winning - it’s about clarity. It pushes you to reflect on your work, define your voice, and share your vision with a wider audience. That alone is worth it.

To anyone hesitating: don’t wait until you think your work is “perfect.” The process of selecting, submitting, and standing behind an image teaches you something valuable - about who you are as a photographer and what you want your work to say.

My advice? Submit with intention. Choose the image that feels the most honest and complete - not necessarily the most complex. Pay attention to the story it tells, how it’s composed, and how it resonates emotionally. And don’t be afraid to be different. Your perspective is your strength.

Focus on developing your eye before your gear.

It’s easy to get caught up in equipment, settings, and trends - but what will set you apart is how you see. Pay attention to light, composition, and emotion. Ask yourself what you want people to feel when they look at your work.

Be curious. Shoot often. Don’t chase perfection - chase progress. And remember: your perspective is already unique. The more honest you are with it, the more powerful your photography will become.

Editing is an essential extension of my creative process - not a correction, but a refinement. The goal is never to alter reality, but to reveal the best version of what was already there.

In architectural and interior photography, post-processing helps me control balance, light, and tone with precision. I use it to remove distractions, unify colour temperatures, and ensure that the final image reflects both the design intent and the emotional atmosphere of the space.

That said, I approach editing with restraint. The most powerful edits are often the quietest - the ones you don’t notice. For me, post-processing is where technical accuracy meets artistic intention.

Technology - especially AI - is already reshaping how we create, edit, and deliver photography. It brings speed, efficiency, and entirely new tools for visualisation. From AI-powered sky replacements to intelligent masking and noise reduction, these tools are accelerating what used to take hours - and freeing up more time for creative decision-making.

But for me, AI will never replace the eye or the intuition of a photographer. The human ability to feel a space, understand its context, and craft a narrative through light and perspective - that’s something no algorithm can replicate.

I see AI as a powerful assistant, not a substitute. The soul of great photography will always come from the person behind the lens.

I would love to photograph the interiors created by some of the most influential designers of our time - visionaries like Kelly Wearstler, Christian Liaigre, Jean-Louis Deniot, and Joseph Dirand. Their work has helped shape a global visual language - bold, refined, and emotionally resonant.

I’m equally inspired by leading voices in contemporary design, including Noa Santos, Jake Arnold, Athena Calderone, Billy Cotton, and Danielle Siggerud. Their interiors feel both personal and elevated - thoughtful in mood, rich in materiality, and deeply connected to how people live.

Photographing spaces by these designers would be a creative milestone. These are environments that transcend function - they communicate identity, intention, and atmosphere. Capturing that essence through photography is where I find my purpose and passion as an artist.