American History in a New Light.
Inviting Visitors into Your Space: The Art of Photography at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center
The Brief
When award-winning design studio Local Projects began planning the $60 million Faith and Liberty Discovery Center in historic Philadelphia, they knew they wanted to document the journey. But with 40,000 square feet of gallery space, this was not your average interior photography project. I was honored to take on the challenge of bringing this new attraction to life!
The Process
As staff photographer for American Bible Society, I was right upstairs from the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center. This gave me unique access to the space and helped me capture its entire journey from idea to reality. I was there from groundbreaking to opening day, striking a visual balance between the center’s key components of faith, American history, and cutting-edge technology.
During construction, I donned my hardhat and shot half-finished galleries with the goal of helping stakeholders feel like they were right there with me. I spent hours getting to know each high-tech gallery, including immersive listening booths and interactive theaters. Some might say I was having too much fun–and they’d be right! But I was also able to confidently coach models on how to interact with each exhibit in a way that showcased its advanced technology. As the construction crew added finishing touches to Local Projects’ stunning design, I captured the character and detail of the interior spaces, as well as the design and the historic location of the museum’s exterior.
Throughout this whole process, I kept future visitors in mind: school groups on a field trip; grandparents on a day out with their grandkids; first-time visitors to Philadelphia. What was most important for them to see? How could I help them envision themselves in this space? And how could I get them excited about visiting this one-of-a-kind museum? These questions helped me go beyond commercial space photography and create something truly unforgettable.
As the only person who’s photographed every square inch of the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, you can believe me when I say there’s nothing else like it. Capturing it through photography was one of the biggest projects of my career to date, but I’m happy to say that the final photos speak for themselves.
The Result
Photo of the Welcome Gallery at the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center
By the time the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center opened to the public in 2021, I had created an extensive collection of high-quality photos that you still check out on the center's website. The Faith and Liberty Discovery Center used my photos in its initial marketing campaigns, and the folks at Local Projects were thrilled to have such a huge library of visual content that documented their project from start to finish. And when Local Projects and the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center were shortlisted for a Dezeen Award, my photos showcased the interior and exterior space.
Let’s Invite People into Your Space!
Real estate photography doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can tell a compelling story. Whether you’re curating a multi-million dollar museum, a corporate office space, or a cozy AirBnB, your customer should be able to picture themselves there. And as a photographer in the Greater Philadelphia area with 10 years of experience, I know we can make something unforgettable together.