Interview with Tom Arban

Tom Arban began his career as an Architect, graduating from the University of Toronto in 1996. He worked for Teeple Architects for approximately eight years as an Intern Architect and later documenting the studio’s projects through photography, before leaving the practice of architecture altogether. Since then, he has become one of the most respected Architectural Photographers in the industry. The decision to shift from architectural practice to architectural photography further satisfied an intense desire to explore the profound relationships between land, nature, people, and form.

v2_Final_Graphics_Tom_lw2.jpg

Was there a key moment that influenced you to begin your career in architectural photography? Were you experienced with photography at that point?

I reached a point in my architectural career where I would have to start making some choices about whether to get licensed or not and if so, what that meant in terms of next steps at the studio. At the same time, I became more and more interested in documenting architecture through photography. I also had increasing interest from peers who were contemporaries at school and now had more say in their respective offices, or friends that started their own design studios. So, I took the somewhat lateral leap.

How does being an architect influence your photos?

Having spent five years in school and about eight at the office, I was constantly thinking about the built environment from a design perspective. I think most architects could identify with this as a kind of background nagging self-dialogue where you are constantly viewing things with a relentless design perspective. That hasn’t changed. Now, I’ve just added the layer of a photographic lens to my endless inner musings about the world that surrounds me.

What camera(s) do you use the most and with which lenses?

I’ve used a variety of cameras and systems over the years, but the most long-standing pieces would be my Canon gear and Phase One Digital Back. Currently, the  Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is my go-to camera along with the Canon TS (Tilt-Shift) lenses.

What gear do you always bring to a shoot?

Door stops.

What were the most memorable photo sessions with WZMH?

I’ve really enjoyed the shoots downtown as it’s always challenging dealing with the scale and tightness of the core’s environment. Nova Scotia Power Inc. Corporate Office Facility was great as I love the East Coast, so any chance to get out there I gladly take. CSEC Long Term Accommodation (also known as The Edward Drake Building) was maybe most memorable as I didn’t realize it was still a construction site when I flew into Ottawa that early morning in my shorts and flip flops. Luckily, there was a Walmart across the street, so I found myself some jeans and long sleeve top, which I still have in my emergency construction site kit to this day.

Do you have any funny stories/big disasters on any shoot?

I’ve often wished that I kept a journal of various public interactions as almost invariably I somehow become the recipient of whatever grievance ‘x’ person may have, including being asked if I could tell the architects (after explaining I can’t actually fix the issue,) to move an elevator from one place to another in a finished project. My favourite and possibly oddest moment was standing on the side of a major street in Montreal with my tripod/gear: A large tinted window SUV pulls up and a guy rolls down the window to ask: “Hey! Are you a Photographer?” Me: “Yes.” Him: “Can you come back to my place and take some pictures of me and my girlfriend?” Me: “Uhmmmm... Hard no.”

Do you have any advice to young photographers looking to break into the architectural photography industry?

Your time will not be your own. You are constantly at the behest of weather, project schedules, completion dates (trying to hit these is like hunting rare birds,) and your own constantly shuffling calendar. It’s a bit of a cliché, but I think you really have to enjoy shooting architecture, and not just as a kind of side gig. When it all comes together once you get the right light and can bring across the major design ideas in a project through photography, it’s very satisfying.


To see more of Tom's work check out his website

https://www.tomarban.com/