Behind The Lens with Julius Shulman

Fresh Mid-Century Modern Home Listings from Across the U.S.A.

Feb 19, 2024

Julius Shulman, the name synonymous with modernist architectural photography, transcended the lens to become an integral part of the movement itself. The photographer, naturalist, and author, documented homes by Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, R.M. Schindler, Frank Lloyd Wright, Gregory Ain and many more over his 70+ year career.

Shulman’s iconic photo of Case Study House no. 22. 1960

Shulman was born to Ukrainian-Jewish parents in Brooklyn in 1910. His artistic journey began early, enabled by a borrowed Kodak Brownie camera and the open vistas of the Connecticut farm where he spent his childhood years. A westward move in his teenage years proved a permanent one as Shulman would call California home for the rest of his life. Shulman paid his bills as a photographer during a brief go at college (both UCLA and UC Berkeley). A serendipitous Los Angeles encounter with architect Richard Neutra in 1936 would forever alter his path. Impressed by Shulman's amateur photographs (taken with a Kodak Vest Pocket camera) of the Kun Residence, Neutra commissioned the young creative to document some of his recent work, marking the beginning of a prolific professional partnership and friendship.

Shulman's keen eye and technical mastery brought Neutra's modernist ideals to life. His photographs, often featuring scenes with happy homeowners, presented the houses as aspirational havens, blurring the lines between architecture and lifestyle. While contemporary architectural photographers spent hours and days planning shoots, Shulman would famously show up and execute shoots in one take. Publisher Benedikt Taschen dubbed him “one-shot Shulman.” The visual storytelling resonated deeply with audiences, helping to evangelize the modernist movement. The quality of Shulman’s work led to collaboration with nearly all of the leading architects of the era, including John Lautner, Pierre Koenig, and Charles and Ray Eames. Shulman would go on to photograph 18 of the 26 Case Study Houses commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine between 1945 and 1967.

Julius Shulman photographing Case Study House no. 22, West Hollywood, 1960 — Shulman at Case Study House no. 22. 1960. Julias Shulman photography archive.

Shulman's impact extended beyond individual houses. His photographs graced the covers of countless magazines, including Arts & Architecture and Architectural Digest, further solidifying the image of California modernism in the public eye. His meticulous attention to detail, use of natural light, and ability to capture the relationship between architecture and landscape set a new standard for architectural photography, influencing generations of photographers to come.

“Photography can enhance a building’s image by producing a graphic impact. It can address the development of an architect’s personal influence and an organization’s role in the creation of a statement that echoes the designs as well as the marketing values built into the organization of spaces, product displays, the standards of comfort enjoyed by an occupant of the facility.”
Julius Shulman, Architecture and Its Photography (1998)

Despite claiming to retire in 1989, Shulman continued to shoot as his legacy flourished. A renewed appreciation for mid-century modernism in the 1990s brought his work back into the spotlight, leading to exhibitions, books, and documentaries that cemented his place as a cultural icon. He received numerous accolades, including lifetime achievement awards from the American Institute of Architects and the International Center of Photography, solidifying his status as a master of his craft. The critically acclaimed 2008 film, Visual Acoustics, celebrates his life and career.

Julius Shulman passed away in 2009 at the age of 98, leaving behind a vast archive of over 260,000 photographs. His work continues to inspire architects, photographers, and design enthusiasts worldwide.