Capturing the Scene
From years working a pool-service route, to a new direction as an architectural photographer focusing on custom pool projects, Danny Riley, has built a life and career at the water’s edge. Here he looks at the journey with an eye toward the art and craft of creating images that capture the experience of being there.
By Danny Riley V
I’ve always found comfort and inspiration by the water. Whether it’s the beach, lakes, rivers or swimming pools, the experience of being near water soothes my mind and stirs my creative impulses. As a kid, that was something I felt more than realized in a literal way, but as I grew older and experienced life’s ups and downs, and I’ve had many over the years, those feelings began to take more tangible form.
One of those watershed moments came many years ago when I was working in pool service. It was unexpected. The gentle swish of the net slicing through the surface, the soft ripple of the waves—it was hypnotic. Comforting. For a few minutes, my mind quieted, and I felt a calm I didn’t even know I was craving.
Now, even in the chaos and rigors of running a business, I never forget the stillness of that moment.
FINDING THE VIEW
Then many years later came the turn that led me to where I am today. In November of 2021, after a vacation in Hawaii, I bought my first camera—a Canon 90D. I had been inspired by the ocean, by the waves, by the beauty of the world around me. But it wasn’t just the view that caught my attention; it was the photographer I met on the North Shore, a surfer who captured the rawness of nature through his lens. That was my spark.
At first, I didn’t even know where to begin, but I knew I had to learn. There was something about photography—something about the art of capturing moments—that resonated deep within me. And just like everything else in my life, I dove in headfirst. What followed was a journey I couldn’t have anticipated. I quickly found myself working on projects with some of the highest-caliber people in the watershaping business.
One of my first big breaks came when I had the opportunity to shoot a project that ended up on the cover of a prestigious magazine. That moment marked a shift, not just in my career, but in my confidence as an artist. From there, I was introduced to Randy Angell, a designer whose work has impressed me from the start. I was soon shooting for him, learning from him, and seeing a whole new side of the industry I had never imagined.
What I didn’t realize when I started was just how much I had to learn. It’s not just about pointing the camera and clicking. It’s about understanding the nuances of lighting, composition, and editing—especially editing. I was in a whole new world. A world where perfection mattered, where you couldn’t fake it. You had to know your craft inside and out.
SEEKING PERFECTION
Photography, much like any business, is about service. You’re not just taking pictures; you’re creating a product that reflects the clients’ vision. And if you screw it up, there’s no one to blame but yourself. Photography is very much an act of self-reliance. There’s a certain respect for the craft that I didn’t understand until I was knee-deep in it, dealing with people who demanded nothing less than excellence. That drive informs every picture I take and every edit I make.
The photos I create fall into three basic categories, there are outdoor living environments, which I find to be a wonderful type of architectural/landscape photography. I also take great pleasure in photographing natural landscapes, and finally, wildlife, especially birds, which I find amazing in many different ways.
Among these three modalities, working for people who create beautiful aquatic spaces is the mainstay of my business, which puts me in the company of truly accomplished watershaping artists. As a professional architecture photographer, I’ve learned that the mission is not only to capture the project, but the imagination of the viewer. Through deliberate composition and manipulation of light and shadow, my aim is to take the viewer on a sensual and emotional journey that leaves them inspired.
Photography has become my way of pausing time, of capturing beauty in the chaos. And in those moments, everything quiets again, like that moment by the first pool I serviced.
Here’s a sampling of my work, with brief descriptions of the process that went into creating them:
Click on images to open in lightbox.
The mind inherently knows that still water means a quiet, calm, and serene environment. There are many intentional subtleties that go into an image that escape the casual viewer. This careful consideration is what sets a professional photographer apart, giving you an edge to your portfolio leading to greater sales success, elevating your project above your competitors.
With brand-new camera in hand as I headed to my Watershape University class in Dallas for the PSP Expo ‘24, there I found an opportunity to capture an incredible moment. As the sun rose, casting a beautiful golden reflection off the neighboring parking structure, I was able to capture this remarkable Mallard in his best light.
Anyone can snap a photo of a project to display the contents of the space. But it takes an understanding of both marketing and photography to truly captivate a viewer, to connect and stir emotion. Our objective is to guide the viewer through a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional plane.
While preparation is paramount, sometimes, oftentimes, luck plays a big role in what you walk away with. On a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains to practice landscape photography, swearing I wouldn’t get hung up on bears this time, I found myself captivated by them just the same. Titled “Low-Hanging Fruit,” this was my second award-winning photo and the first to be published in a national magazine.
It is my aim to connect my audience to the subjects I capture, giving them an opportunity to explore details they wouldn’t ordinarily experience. For instance, humans aren’t the only creatures to suffer mosquitos.
Photography is a game of observation. And, yes, sometimes that means while driving. I spotted this Osprey while driving to a photo shoot in Central Florida, and instantly confirmed my seat belt was working properly.
Easily my most popular image, I drove 4 ½ hours for this one shot, having planned it in my head long before I left Georgia for this dusty road in the hills of Tennessee. Cade’s Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wealth of natural wonder. Add the gentle breeze of a brisk fall morning to a colorful landscape and you have the makings of an incredible photo and a lifelong memory.
Opening image: Before leaving on a trip from California to Baytown, TX, where this was captured just one month after purchasing my first camera, I researched the direction of the sun relative to this bridge–knowing that preparation is the key. This is one of those early images that really set my heart on fire for photography. All about the road ahead.
Danny Riley V is owner and founder of Riley V Photography, based in Atlanta. For more information contact Danny here.