Mark Elst: life on the French Riviera

Time spent travelling to far-flung destinations offers endless inspiration, no more so than to photographers; be it the dappled light through palm trees on sun-soaked shores, or the contrast of shadows on snow-capped mountains.

Originally from the Netherlands, Mark Elst has made a name for himself capturing the most stunning architecture and interiors of some of the world’s most luxurious properties. Now based in the South of France, his astounding talent offers a real sense of place and character – almost as if you’re there yourself. We spoke to him about his personal inspirations, his unforgettable trips and just what makes the French Riviera so special.

Tell us about your origin story – what inspired you to become an architecture and interiors photographer?

Ten years ago, my girlfriend and I decided to move to the South of France. She is part French, and we wanted to better get to know the country where her father was born. The first job we found was to work as caretakers for the rental industry, where we took care of the arrival and departure – and any problems – for people that rented holiday homes in the Var region. Here, I discovered that the quality of photography wasn’t great. Since we were paid a percentage of the rental, I thought it would be interesting to improve the photography.

During this period, drones also started to be used with a camera. I decided to get one and this was the start of a career in photography. I was soon asked to capture the interiors in addition to drone photography, and I started photographing more and more luxurious houses. In this way, I came into contact with architects and designers.

Nowadays, I work almost exclusively for architects and designers, and for a few luxury boutique hotels who really understand the quality of good photography.

What inspires your photography style?

I often hear my style described as “natural” and “inviting”. This is because I work a lot with the sun during the morning and evening hours. I like to add contrast to a photo through light, composition or movement, but I don’t want it to distract from the object. It’s about what we see and don’t see in the photo, not about the photo itself. I read a lot of books about architecture and follow other leading architectural photographers. Many different styles inspire me, so I try to bring something of everything into my own photography.

What makes the French Riviera so special?

For me, as a photographer, it is the light. Nowhere else (well, maybe the San Francisco area is comparable) do you get the same great golden light and these beautiful blue skies. On a broader scale, it is diversity – of people, nature, culture and architecture. I find it very (welcomely) challenging to photograph different types of homes in different areas. Some homes are beautifully hidden in the hills, other very modern homes are located close to the sea and have great views.

What’s your best recommendation for visitors?

It is difficult to pick one. I would say it is probably best not to Google all the hotspots, rather to just take a car and do the coastal drive – especially the area between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël, which is amazing. Probably the best period to visit would be before or after high season.

What’s the most stunning luxury accommodation you’ve shot and why?

Mas de Chabran, without a doubt. Not only because of its ineffable luxury, but also because of the emotion they’ve imbued into the property. It’s an old bastide renovated by a great architect, Alain Meylan, and his interior designer wife, Liliana Atilova. A beautiful mix of the old has been retained, and the new has been added with only excellent quality. In addition to Mas de Chabran, they have also purchased and renovated other beautiful ruins. All their properties are brought together under the boutique hotel Domaines de Chabran. I have been their regular photographer for years.

What is the importance of holidays to you?

For me, holidays are the most important time of the year. It is the moment when you recharge your battery and get new ideas. This is done by meeting people, doing things and visiting new places. Since I was young, I have always travelled a lot – I lived in Australia and Asia for years as a backpacker, and I have been living in France for 10 years now. The reason why I work as a photographer throughout Europe is probably because I am used to communicating with people from other countries and cultures. You always have to adapt to a new environment, and this can be very difficult if you have little experience.

What's the most memorable holiday you've been on and why?

Cliché perhaps, but Norway. The natural beauty in the country is unparalleled for me. I have been lucky enough to be able to combine work with holiday there. I had the opportunity to photograph a number of houses in fantastic locations for a Norwegian architect. This trip was very inspiring because I photographed houses that are so far out of the ordinary from what I normally do. In the period between the photoshoots, we travelled around to the fjords. The beauty of nature is breathtaking. Oslo, as a city, is also highly recommended. Delicious food, a great atmosphere and a beautiful combination of old buildings with leading modern architecture.