Chicago architectural photographers, Susan Carr and Gary Cialdella specialize in the photography of architecture. Trained as fine artists, Susan and Gary work collaboratively to photograph interiors and exteriors from Chicago to Detroit and throughout the Midwest. Because Gary and Susan are trained as fine artists, clients benefit from having two photographic visions solving the aesthetic and technical challenges of architectural subjects. Gary and Susan believe that vision is the most important thing an architectural photographer brings to the subject. Photography is the art of seeing. With this in mind they strive to make the connection between reality and image seamless, a combination of vision and craft that results in eloquent photographs of beautiful architectural spaces.

Architects from throughout the Midwest trust Carr Cialdella to provide high quality photography. Susan and Gary are comfortable working with and without clients on site. As architectural photographers their goal is to achieve a level of trust permitting clients to feel completely at ease sending Carr Cialdella to any location in the Midwest or across the country. Carr Cialdella likes to get involved in a total process, which includes scouting the building location, reviewing architectural plans, and discussing their work with the architects and interior designers.

Advertising clients depend on Carr Cialdella for their team approach and creative solutions to problems. Advertising work requires a high level of organization and cooperation so that assignments will run smoothly, keeping every person in the project engaged. Whether photographing flooring, lighting, windows, wall coverings, furniture or paint colors, Gary and Susan create beautiful photographs. They also work as a team with art directors, graphic designers, account executives and clients to produce distinctive photographs in any architectural setting and environment.

Here’s what a few of our clients have said about us:

“There are two reason for working with Carr Cialdella. First, the work. Secondly, the way they work. The work is based on true artistic sensibilities, unencumbered by the need to be trendy. They stay focused on keeping creative goals intact, working closely with our creative people to bring ideas to life through great imagery. And they are really nice people.”

Stephen Thompson, Dahlin, Smith, White, Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Countryside Elementary is a school with a very unique program and aesthetic. We needed a photographer who could capture both the theme of the project, and show how it successfully melds into its natural surroundings. Carr Cialdella did just that! The photographs creatively showcase important building features such as color, material, form and composition.”

Mark Levine, AIA, Senior Design Architect, Tower Pinkster Titus, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

"Thank you again for the beautiful photos you took. Everyone here is very excited about the shots and can't wait to incorporate them into our training materials."

Laura Roundtree
Corner Bakery Cafe, Dallas, Texas

“Reliability and the highest quality of work are why we consistently involve Carr Cialdella in our projects.”
Maria Grillo, The Grillo Group, Chicago, Illinois.

Susan and Gary are members of the American Society of Media Photographers, the premier professional trade association for photographers. Clients looking to hire an architectural photographer for the first time can check our ASMP’s “How to Hire an Architectural Photographer” a comprehensive guide produced by the Architectural specialty group within ASMP.

Carr Cialdella works with both analog and digital cameras. Our approach is to use the tools best suited for the job. The 4x5 format view camera is the traditional choice for formal photographs of architecture. With this camera perspective corrections are made in the camera, as well as fine-tuning composition and lighting. We make a film image of the highest quality that is later scanned and converted to a digital file. Many subjects are well suited to professional digital cameras and we use this tool for areas such as architectural details or images where people are the primary concern.

Susan Carr and Gary Cialdella are specialists in black and white photography. Carr Cialdella’s work derives from an aesthetic honoring the relationship of the artist to the world. Like cinema, black and white photography is a language, a language that is perfectly suited to the interpretation of architectural subjects, an interpretation that becomes stronger and more nuanced through the work of skilled practitioners.

Our goal is to make architectural photographs that are imbued with a personal vision and at the same time speak to the essence of an exquisitely designed structure. We believe the materials and form of architecture are a perfect match to the formal beauty of black and white photography.

Writing about photographs, curator, writer and photographer John Szarkowski stated, “In historical practice it has proved more difficult to improve good photographs by drawing or painting on them, or by cutting them into pieces and rearranging the parts, although one can by these methods make interesting pictures out of boring ones. Photographs are made not essentially by hand but by eye, with a machine that records with unforgiving candor the quality of mind informed by that eye. Second thoughts that veil candor do not often make the picture better.”

Thank you for taking the time to look at our site and learn about Carr Cialdella Photography.

This site designed by The Grillo Group here in Chicago.

7363 North Damen, Suite 104

Chicago, IL 60645

773-262-1582