Photographing UnCommons, a new mixed-use development in Las Vegas, was an exciting project. Located at Durango and the 215, UnCommons blends modern architecture with community-centered spaces. The design features sleek offices, upscale apartments, vibrant dining options, and inviting public areas.

This project involved capturing professional architectural photography for use in portfolios, marketing campaigns, and design competition entries. Photographing a large, active development like UnCommons presents unique challenges, particularly when working to highlight every detail of the design with precision.

As a commercial photographer in Las Vegas, I focus on capturing the essence of new projects like UnCommons. Timing is everything. Shooting in the early morning, late afternoon and at dusk helped me work with natural light to emphasize textures, colors, and architectural lines. The dynamic shadows and warm tones of sunrise and sunset helped bring out the fine details of the building materials and structural designs.

Another challenge in building photography is balancing open spaces with architectural density. UnCommons offers wide walkways, landscaped courtyards, and carefully placed structures that needed to feel connected yet distinct in the final images. I used a combination of wide-angle shots to capture the full scale of the development and detailed compositions to focus on the craftsmanship and material choices.

Capturing vibrant, active environments also requires a strategic approach. Because UnCommons is open to the public, there was foot traffic throughout the day. Photographing during slower times and using longer exposure techniques helped create clean, distraction-free architectural images.

One standout feature of UnCommons is its emphasis on wellness and sustainability. The project is built to WELL Certification standards, promoting health and well-being through its design. Highlighting these elements through photography – open-air corridors, green spaces, and energy-efficient designs – was important to tell the complete story of the project.

Las Vegas is a city known for its dramatic architecture, and photographing developments like UnCommons requires precision and a deep understanding of how space interacts with light. Whether shooting for architects, developers, or contractors, the goal remains the same: create images that represent the design’s vision and the functionality of the space.

This project reflects the continued evolution of Las Vegas architecture – moving beyond entertainment venues into sophisticated, thoughtfully planned community hubs. Capturing that story through commercial photography is both a challenge and a rewarding experience.

If you’d like to view more examples of my architectural photography work in Las Vegas, you can explore my portfolio here. For a closer look at another exciting project, check out my interior photography shoot at Komodo Las Vegas.

If you’re interested in more commercial architecture work, you can also view my photography of the new Harrah’s Northern California Casino here.