Interview with Kevin Lu

You can find him on Instagram as: @klucaptures

Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, I’m Kevin, a photographer born and raised in London, UK. My main focus is architectural photography, but I also love capturing landscapes whenever I manage to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

London’s mix of old and modern architecture constantly inspires me. I enjoy reinterpreting familiar landmarks and finding new angles or perspectives that people might not have considered before.

How did your photography journey start?

My journey began in 2010 when I bought my first camera—a Canon 550D. I had it for about two years before eventually selling it. At the time, photography was more of a casual interest rather than a passion.

It wasn’t until 2021 that I truly returned to photography with fresh motivation. The break gave me a different perspective, and when I picked up a camera again, I approached it with a more serious and artistic mindset.

What do you think is the most important factor in capturing a great photo?

For me, it’s all about unique framing/composition. Finding an interesting composition elevates an image and adds a personal touch. Even a common subject can feel fresh when viewed from an unexpected perspective.

I also love reflection shots—they add depth and symmetry, which can create striking visuals. But more than anything, I think the key to great photography is exploration and experimentation. The more you try new angles, techniques, and compositions, the more you refine your creative style.

What do you do when you feel like there’s nothing new to shoot?

Creative ruts happen to everyone, but I’ve found a few ways to push through:

Seeking inspiration – Looking at the work of other photographers often sparks new ideas. I take inspiration but always add my own spin to it.

Traveling to new locations – Visiting nearby towns or the countryside can shift my perspective and challenge me to adapt my style to different settings.

Trying different photography genres – Even if I specialise in architecture, experimenting with portrait, street, or macro photography gives me new skills and ideas that I can incorporate into my work.

How do you balance creativity with technical knowledge?

I believe that both are crucial in photography.

Technical knowledge is essential—it helps you shoot effectively in different environments and lighting conditions. You need to understand exposure, composition, and how to use your gear to its full potential. Creativity is what makes your work stand out. Two photographers can use the same camera in the same location, but their vision and approach will result in completely different images. Gear is just a tool—knowing how to use it is important, but your creativity is what truly defines your photography.

How do you approach post-processing to achieve a specific look or style?

I usually have a general idea of what I want an image to look like before I start editing. From there, I fine-tune the details until I achieve the desired result. I use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, which allow me to enhance colours, adjust tones, and refine composition. Editing time varies—I can spend anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour on a single image, depending on the complexity of the edit.

How do you use lighting in your photos?

Lighting is one of the most important elements in photography, and I approach it differently depending on the subject:

For architecture – If I’m shooting in low-light situations, I’ll use long exposure to capture more details and create a more dynamic image.

For portraits or street photography – I always try to use natural light to create a more authentic look.

What do you think sets your work apart from others in the industry?

I believe my work stands out because of the way I reimagine everyday scenes. Even though I’ve shot London’s landmarks countless times, I always challenge myself to find a fresh perspective. Whether it’s through unique compositions, reflections, or framing, I aim to create images that feel timeless and thought-provoking.

I also like to play with concepts of time and spatial orientation—making familiar places feel new again.

What has been the most rewarding experience as a photographer?

For me, photography is about connection—both with other photographers and with the audience who sees my work. Meeting like-minded creatives has been incredibly inspiring. Photography is often a solo pursuit, but being part of a creative community pushes me to grow and evolve. Being approached for paid projects is also rewarding. It’s a great feeling when someone values your work enough to commission or license it.