About Alan Chakota
About Alan Chakota | Strategic Photographer for Designed Spaces and Places
THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE
I didn't start as a photographer—I started as an architectural technician.
For 15 years, I've worked inside architecture and design firms across Toronto. I still do—by day, I'm a Senior Design Project Manager, managing complex projects from concept to completion. I sit through charrettes, sweat over material selections, and present work to clients who don't always see what we see.
That dual perspective—designer by day, photographer by night—is exactly what makes my work different.
Nine years ago, I picked up a camera with one goal: capture architecture the way architects actually see it. Not just pretty pictures, but images that communicate intent—the shadow line that defines your concept, the material transition that took six months to detail, the spatial sequence that makes the whole thing work.
WHY THE DESIGN BACKGROUND MATTERS
When I walk into your project, I'm not just looking for good light and clean lines. I'm reading the space the way you designed it—because I'm still working on projects myself.
I know what a millwork detail says about your attention to craft. I understand why that sight line matters. I can tell when a threshold is doing important spatial work, not just dividing rooms.
That insider perspective means I don't need you to explain what's important—I already know what your peers will look for in an OAA submission, what an editor at Canadian Architect wants to see, and what will make a potential client stop scrolling.
Most importantly, I know what it takes to execute exceptional work in this industry because I'm in the trenches with you. I respect that, and my photography honors it.
HOW I WORK
1. I do my homework
Before the shoot, I study your drawings, understand the design narrative, and identify what makes this project worth documenting. I'm not showing up cold
2. I work fast and systematically
Fifteen years managing design projects taught me to respect timelines and coordinate with multiple stakeholders. I know how to work around construction schedules, weather constraints, and client access issues.
3. I capture what matters, not just what's visible
Good architectural photography isn't about shooting every angle—it's about finding the handful of images that tell the complete story. I'm ruthlessly selective about what makes the final edit.
4. I deliver images that work hard
You'll get technical documentation that satisfies awards juries, hero shots that work in presentations, and detail images that demonstrate your craft. Every image has a job to do.
THE WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
My photography has been published in Canadian Architect, Canadian Interiors, Fast Company, Office Snapshots, and Love That Design.
More importantly, it's helped clients win OAA awards, land dream commissions, and finally feel like their portfolio represents the quality of work they actually do.
One architecture principal told me: "For the first time, our photography matches the caliber of our work." That's the standard I hold myself to.
BEYOND THE CAMERA
I live in Toronto with my wife and our dog. When I'm not managing projects or photographing buildings, you'll find me walking the dog, watching Arsenal play (through the highs and lows), or mentoring younger designers who are finding their way in the industry.
I believe architecture matters—not just as aesthetic objects, but as the physical framework for how we live, work, and move through the world. Great buildings deserve great documentation.
If you're doing work that deserves to be seen properly, let's talk.
READY TO WORK TOGETHER?
Schedule a consultation — We'll discuss your project, walk through the space (virtually or in person), and create a photography plan that serves your specific goals.
No hard sell. Just a conversation about how to capture your work at its best.
© Alan Chakota
Areas Served: Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and select projects across Canada