Meet Robert Peterson: Photographer

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

Hi Robert, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I view finding balance as running a bit of a checklist. I understand this can cause it to sound cold and methodical, but for me there are things I need to touch on each day to feel joy and feel fulfilled. I need time with my wife and kids, I need to be physically active, I need to interact with others, I need to read or listen to a podcast, I need to feel I am performing a task that is moving my career forward. I may not be able to hit on all of these each day, but if I am actively hitting on most of them I will usually feel in balance. The time allotted to each category changes both week to week and day to day. When I am traveling for photoshoots I am getting one maybe two Facetime calls a day with my family. I am likely missing most workouts, but my creativity and fulfillment with my work is fantastic. Often I come home and find myself ready for a few solid days of stepping away from work and focusing on the family.. Realizing what I needed to feel balanced led me a few years ago to begin working with an editor. This was a large expense, but what it gave me back in time was in a very cliche way priceless. Our girls are 4 and 7. These years I have with them are fleeting, and there will always be more money to be made. The work life balance will change with the seasons, but for now if I see my checklist and have my time to be a dad and husband I feel very balanced. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Architecture and Interiors photographer. I fell into interiors photography when I met Brian Patrick Flynn. I actually started as Brian’s personal trainer. Tiff and I were already photographing weddings by this time and Brian began to see some of my work and I would talk photography occasionally as we were training. Gradually Brian would tell me to bring my camera when I was to arrive to train him and in place of doing burpees we would be photographing a bedroom he redesigned. As time passed I continued to photograph larger and larger projects for Brian until I realized we were no longer training at all, but simply photographing interiors. In 2018 I decided I should really try to take interiors photography serious as a career and set up a website and instagram. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of working with dozens of amazing designers, builders and architects. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to grow a bit further and begin photographing some ad campaigns.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is an amazing question for me because I am immensely boring when it comes to city life. I grew up in Coral Gables along the coast of South Miami and Tiff and I often talk about moving to the mountains. If a friend came in for a week I’d likely suggest a road trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our photography mentors Richard and Amy McDowell will always hold a place in our hearts and lives not just as mentors but friends. They invested so much time and energy in helping two people who only had a google education on photography and helped us find our voices and aesthetic. Their company is https://archipelagopresets.com. Brian Patrick Flynn was the first designer to give me a chance photographing interiors. I really owe the foundation of my education in capturing interiors to the trial and error he allowed me to have on set.

Website: rusticwhiteinteriors.com
Instagram: rusticwhiteinteriors

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors