Collection by Bradford Shellhammer

Richard Schulman

I met photographer Richard Schulman and his wife, Barbara, a few years back and instantly developed a friendship with them. Their love of design and architecture is infectious—they eat, sleep, and breath design. And in Richard's case, he shoots it. He photographs both buildings and the people who create them with equal precision and he's shot pretty much every significant artist and architect of the last 50 years. He sat down for an exclusive interview with Dwell about working with legends like Philip Johnson and Andy Warhol, and he curated and provided commentary for a collection of his work, twenty-two images in all. Stay tuned for that slideshow, which we'll share later this week.

What's easier, shooting buildings or architects? Which is more fun?I am fortunate to be commissioned to shoot both portraits and architecture. They are both fun. I love meeting the personalities and capturing their spaces, and I love illuminating architecture for all to see.Of your portrait subjects, who surprised you the most?Probably Philip Johnson. He knew everything about my career and was generous with his time and was supportive of my career.What was it like shooting Andy Warhol?Significant. It was an amazing moment because Andy introduced me to Jean Michel Basquiat during the shoot. During the session I made a portrait of the two men together. Historically, it's now the only "posed portrait" of the two in the world.You've shot what seems like every major artist and architect of the last fifty years. Are there differences between the artists and the architects?The artist imagines an idea. An architect imagines the world.Who do you wish you could photograph, but never had the opportunity?Dead or alive? A portrait of Miles Davis, President Obama, Bill Clinton, Robert Oppenheimer, Einstein, and Sophia Loren when she was twenty years old.You're also a professor at Parsons. What's the greatest piece of advice you could give to those looking to become photographers?Go with your heart, define your passion, and organize a business plan.What was your most unusual shoot?Photographing "Samantha" a 23-foot-long reticulated python, feeding on a 40-pound pig, "Babe." Have you become friends with any of your subjects?I have friends from my sessions from many countries—architects, designers, artists, and collectors.How is it that you began shooting the Pritzker Prize winners?I have photographed 27 of the 32 winners. I think for one photographer it's the most substantial archive of the Pritzker Prize winners in one portfolio. It started with Philip Johnson and Richard Meier introducing me to other unique architects. My books have also allowed me access to some of the most interesting voices in architecture.

Warhol. This was my original assignment. Then I shot Basquiat. Basquiat and Warhol together was the icing on the cake. Andy shared one of the great business lessons with me and I have never forgotten the symbolism in his words.
Warhol. This was my original assignment. Then I shot Basquiat. Basquiat and Warhol together was the icing on the cake. Andy shared one of the great business lessons with me and I have never forgotten the symbolism in his words.
SANAA, the 2010 Recipients of the Pritzker prize. The duo Ryue Nishizawa and Kazuyo Sejima recently designed the New Museum in New York.
SANAA, the 2010 Recipients of the Pritzker prize. The duo Ryue Nishizawa and Kazuyo Sejima recently designed the New Museum in New York.
Philip Johnson in his Glass House. Philip was the first recipient of the Pritzker Prize award. I think it is the only photograph in which you see Philip in the house and the house in its entirety.
Philip Johnson in his Glass House. Philip was the first recipient of the Pritzker Prize award. I think it is the only photograph in which you see Philip in the house and the house in its entirety.
The Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Frank Gehry—A true masterpiece, originally designed before [the Guggenheim in] Bilbao.

I have photographed Frank Gehry a few times. The true gentleman who becomes more like a beautiful wine through the ages.
The Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Frank Gehry—A true masterpiece, originally designed before [the Guggenheim in] Bilbao. I have photographed Frank Gehry a few times. The true gentleman who becomes more like a beautiful wine through the ages.
Oscar Niemeyer has only one freestanding building in the United States, and it's this home in Los Angeles. It's now owned by the Boyds. This home sits between Spanish-style mansions in Brentwood, California.
Oscar Niemeyer has only one freestanding building in the United States, and it's this home in Los Angeles. It's now owned by the Boyds. This home sits between Spanish-style mansions in Brentwood, California.
Luc Tuymans. When I photographed him he was up-and-coming. Today he is a most sought-after painter—museums galore want to collect him.
Luc Tuymans. When I photographed him he was up-and-coming. Today he is a most sought-after painter—museums galore want to collect him.
This Niemeyer home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was designed for Niemeyer as his own residence; it's one of the great Modernist homes of South America.
This Niemeyer home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was designed for Niemeyer as his own residence; it's one of the great Modernist homes of South America.
Richard Meier, another Pritzker prize winner, at his home in East Hampton.
Richard Meier, another Pritzker prize winner, at his home in East Hampton.
Jean Nouvel, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect who defines creative masterpieces, like his new design for the Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
Jean Nouvel, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect who defines creative masterpieces, like his new design for the Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
Louise Bourgeois: Wow. Certainly outlived them all! The Grand Dame of the Art World. She really wanted me to shoot her in this Caftan, one of her personal favorites. She was a tough love, smart and intuitive.
Louise Bourgeois: Wow. Certainly outlived them all! The Grand Dame of the Art World. She really wanted me to shoot her in this Caftan, one of her personal favorites. She was a tough love, smart and intuitive.
The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

This was for a book, a wonderful experience with the design of automobiles and a modern Frank Lloyd Wright-like design by Ben van Berkel of UN Studio. One of those assignments in which I could develop both a taste for the architect’s appreciation of automobiles, and the museum itself.
The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. This was for a book, a wonderful experience with the design of automobiles and a modern Frank Lloyd Wright-like design by Ben van Berkel of UN Studio. One of those assignments in which I could develop both a taste for the architect’s appreciation of automobiles, and the museum itself.
Oscar [Niemeyer], another Pritzker Prize winner, is 103 years old today. He is the last of the Modernist geniuses. Like most of the architects I have shared time with, he is a prince to be around.
Oscar [Niemeyer], another Pritzker Prize winner, is 103 years old today. He is the last of the Modernist geniuses. Like most of the architects I have shared time with, he is a prince to be around.
Paulo Mendes da Rocha, a great character and also a Pritzker Prize winner, designed this entrance to the subway in Sal Paulo, Brazil. I am not sure if it is the photographer or Mendes that created this dramatic affect.
Paulo Mendes da Rocha, a great character and also a Pritzker Prize winner, designed this entrance to the subway in Sal Paulo, Brazil. I am not sure if it is the photographer or Mendes that created this dramatic affect.
Deborah Berke designed this beautiful example of a modernist home in the 21st century.
Deborah Berke designed this beautiful example of a modernist home in the 21st century.
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Philip Johnson.
Philip Johnson.
A Rick Joy-designed home in the desert of Arizona.
A Rick Joy-designed home in the desert of Arizona.
Santiago Calatrava’s Milwaukee Museum. It is such a rewarding experience to watch the Museum fly. You know, it has wings, and people wait for hours to appreciate this engineering moment.
Santiago Calatrava’s Milwaukee Museum. It is such a rewarding experience to watch the Museum fly. You know, it has wings, and people wait for hours to appreciate this engineering moment.

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