Hot Shots | photographers of design

Alan Blakely, North Salt Lake, Utah

Alan Blakely has the airline-packing thing down pat. The Utah-based architectural photographer is constantly on the move (recent destinations include Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota and Iowa), capturing commercial and residential projects. “Before 9-11, I had baggage waivers on most airlines,” he explains, “but TSA is not that friendly. Now, I have them hand-inspect my camera bag, check most of my bags and change equipment based on what airlines require.”

The peripatetic photographer, best known for his work for home builders, real estate brokers and holding companies, architectural products manufacturers, and consumer and trade magazines, started his career as a copy writer after getting his advertising degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. “I hated copy writing,” Blakely admits. Instead, he opted to explore his long-standing interest in photography by apprenticing with a Salt Lake City commercial photographer.

By 1991, he launched his own business, eventually specializing in architecture and interiors. “I taught myself architectural photography,” explains Blakely, who also has a studio for his other work, which includes photographing people and products. “There weren’t many photographers in Salt Lake City specializing in that at the time. My first job was shooting a high-end residence for a local interior designer. I still have the image hanging on my wall.”

Blakely’s passion for architectural photography led him to form the Association of Independent Architectural Photographers in 2001, an international organization. “Architectural photography is a narrow niche,” he says. “The organization helps promote and drive the success of that kind of photographer.”

In the meantime, though, Blakely won’t be driving much. He’ll be flying. To his next location shoot.

Blakely Photography, 360 N. 700 West, Suite H, North Salt Lake, UT 84054; (801) 954-8000 or www.blakelyphotography.com