James Caulfield LTD

As a photographer, I've traveled widely and when schedules permit, find I prefer to explore cities rather than the countryside, no matter how inspiring. As I visited more buildings, I became more discriminating in my taste. I have opinions on buildings, based not only on how they appear in their environment, but on how harmonious their interiors are and how pleasing the relationship of the whole. I've personally restored several significant buildings, including a 1881 Fromann & Jebsen designed bank in Chicago and a 1951 Keck & Keck mid-century modern home in Glencoe, as well as having re-purposed a number of industrial spaces into photography studios. I feel fortunate to be able to document the work of past and current architects. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, as I know well that most people experience buildings in photographs. In that respect, I try to help people experience the building as the architect intended, with whatever natural and artificial light he or she provided. To me, buildings are not stage sets to be dramatized, but spaces to be experienced and enjoyed. The experience of being there is what I aspire to create for the viewer.. This documentary responsibility has led me to donate more than 500 images to the SAHARA site of the Society of Architectural Historians, making them available to students and scholars. I intend to continue with this practice. I have also worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust to document their sites, and for many years have photographed the houses and buildings included on the famous Wright Plus house walk. In addition, I have been pleased to donate images to the Glessner and Clarke House museums, the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, the Charnley-Persky House, the Paul Schweikher House Preservation Trust and the Richard Nickel Committee, among others.