I recently completed a successful commercial photography assignment for the new Ashley Furniture flagship store at The Bend (215 & Durango), Las Vegas. The 90,000 square‑foot retail store opened on May 21, and I had the privilege of capturing its expansive showroom and vibrant atmosphere. Working alongside a talented team of professionals from Ashley, I focused on creating striking visuals that showcase their thoughtful spatial design and rich merchandising strategy.

Understanding the Project

Ashley Furniture purchased approximately 20.4 acres off Sunset Road in late 2020, assembling land from Walker Furniture and M.J. Dean Construction. Clark County later approved plans for a massive 273,222 sq ft showroom and distribution facility  . As the world’s largest furniture brand, opening the flagship location in Las Vegas – right next door to Ikea – was a significant development. My goal was to convey the magnitude and impact of this commercial building photography assignment.

Lighting, Scale & Retail Photography Challenges

The new store demands careful attention to scale and flow. In retail photography, capturing both sweeping vistas of showroom floorplans and detailed product displays requires versatility. I used a wide-angle lens to emphasize the store’s scale and architecture, while tighter shots highlighted furniture styles, textures, and branded vignettes.

Balancing natural sunlight from expansive front glazing with interior lighting posed a technical challenge. Through controlled exposures and nuanced white balance adjustments, I preserved the visual warmth of showroom displays without bleaching skylights or losing product fidelity.

Why Commercial Store Photography Matters

This type of commercial photography goes beyond documentation – it tells a brand story. The imagery is used for marketing campaigns, web features, and PR channels. In Ashley’s case, photos illustrate a luxurious, high‑end destination tailored to furniture seekers and designers.

Early public reviews praised the vast selection and showroom size . For example, Furniture Today noted Ashley ranks No. 1 in the 2025 Top 100 retailers with $5.956 billion in annual sales. These contextually rich images help reinforce that reputation and attract new audiences.

Why Location Matters in Retail Photography

The location of a retail space can significantly influence how it’s photographed and how the final images are perceived. In this case, Ashley Furniture’s new flagship store is strategically placed at The Bend in southwest Las Vegas – adjacent to Ikea and close to other high-traffic destinations like Durango Casino. This presented both a creative opportunity and a technical challenge.

As a retail photographer, it’s important to not only capture the store’s interior features but also place it in context – how it fits into the commercial landscape, attracts foot traffic, and competes visually. This level of storytelling is essential in retail photography and allows clients to showcase their brand’s physical presence with maximum visual impact.

Collaboration & Client Experience

Working with Ashley’s on-site team was a seamless experience. They were professional, proactive, and detail-oriented – ideal for a photographer used to high expectations. In-store coordination helped me schedule lighting conditions and floor layouts for optimal shots, ensuring each image exuded clarity and brand consistency.

The location, known as Ashley Store Las Vegas, NV (The Curve), opened with rave reviews about store size and merchandise variety. My images reinforce those perceptions by capturing clean design lines, floor-to-ceiling shelving, and carefully arranged vignettes.

Post-Production and Image Delivery

A key part of my commercial photography process happens after the shoot – during post-production. Once on-site work is complete, I spend time refining the images to align with the client’s branding and visual standards. This includes color balancing, straightening architectural lines, and eliminating any visual distractions that might detract from the composition.

For a large-scale retail shoot like this, every image must be consistent, clean, and usable across multiple formats – from social media and websites to signage and editorial layouts. As a retail store photographer, I make sure the final gallery is optimized for both visual appeal and marketing functionality.

A Portfolio Highlight

This shoot adds a strong piece to my portfolio of retail photography and commercial building photography, especially in Las Vegas. Potential clients – ranging from design firms to large-scale retailers – can see how expertly crafted images reflect both architectural space and product storytelling.

To explore more commercial photography work including hospitality, automotive, and architectural shoots, visit my portfolio here.

Why Businesses Should Invest in Retail Photography

Whether launching a new location or refreshing a brand’s visual identity, high-quality imagery is more than a nice-to-have – it’s a strategic asset. Working with an experienced commercial photographer ensures that your space is documented with attention to design, lighting, and customer flow.

For retailers, hospitality groups, and developers, professional retail photography supports everything from media kits and website design to investor presentations and design award submissions. A strong visual narrative – crafted by a skilled retail photographer – can elevate your brand and give your space the presence it deserves.