Meet Peter Molick: Architectural Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Molick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Before becoming a professional photographer, I practiced architecture for a number of years and had always felt that it wasn’t my final destination. One thing that I never second guessed was my love for architecture and design, I just hadn’t found my place within that world yet. As I began to develop the skills do capture architecture through opportunities with friends and colleagues and later firms who I had relationships with, my mind was really opened to the possibilities of striking out on my own as a photographer but remaining in the architecture community that I valued so much. Many things stood out for me when considering this change. If successful, I would have more control over my own schedule and creative process while being able to get in front of more design than I ever had before. Once I made the decision to take the leap, I never looked back and really cherish the opportunities it has afforded me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I mentioned before, my path into professional photography was a gradual one. While working in the architecture field, I slowly began developing the technical skills to photograph spaces and would spend countless hours outside of my day job shooting cityscapes and small projects, fine tuning how I saw through a lens. With time I became confident enough to start shooting projects for colleagues and a handful of architecture firms until the workload was enough to allow me to confidently step down from the architecture firm and begin my new path. Since then each year has brought new surprises and have been better than the one before. One thing I find particularly challenging is knowing how to set limits for what I take on and ensuring that I don’t over commit myself and head down the path to burnout. Photography can be a real grind and I think it’s extremely important to take periods of time off in order to recharge to be able to produce the best work possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Houston, Texas and without hesitation always recommend that people spend time around the Menil Collection campus, which consists of several world class art museums and galleries. Houston has a very rich arts scene which can be pared with some great time outdoors at several of our parks and trail systems. And of course, we’ve got some of the best food in the country, so it’s hard to go wrong when seeking out places for food or drink. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Looking back at the path that led me to this career, there are a number of people who stand out as instrumental to my success and confidence in taking chances. Firstly, my parents, who have always been encouraging of anything I take on but also have been an inspiration creatively. Further along, I had a mentor in college, the late architect Charles Tapley, whose passion for nature and architecture really drove me to find something that I loved and to go after it. And lastly, while working at my last architecture firm, Dillon Kyle Architects, I could not have asked for better support than I was given by Dillon Kyle as I began developing my skills as a photographer and eventually made the decision to step aside from the practice of architecture and into my new career.

Website: www.petermolick.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/petermolick

Twitter: www.instagram.com/petermolick

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/petermolickphotography

Image Credits
Photography by Peter Molick