Steven J. Magner is an architectural and commercial real estate photographer based in Marin County, California, working throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and on select projects across California and the western United States.

He collaborates with architects, developers, interior designers and commercial real estate teams to create photography and video that document completed spaces with clarity, natural light and a strong sense of place.

Projects range from multifamily residential developments and commercial office environments to hospitality spaces, corporate interiors and mixed-use properties. The goal is to create imagery that communicates the design intent of a project while supporting marketing, leasing and long-term portfolio use.

Architectural and Commercial Real Estate Photography

Architectural Photography

Architectural photography focuses on documenting the design, form and spatial experience of a building or interior environment. These projects are often commissioned by architecture firms and design teams who need professional imagery of completed work.

Photography may highlight exterior architecture, interior spaces, material details and the relationship between a building and its surroundings. Images are typically created with natural light and thoughtful composition to reflect the character of the architecture itself.

Architectural photography is commonly used for:

  • Architecture firm portfolios

  • Design publications

  • Industry awards submissions

  • Marketing materials

  • Firm websites and presentations

Commercial Real Estate Photography

Commercial real estate photography captures the spaces where businesses operate and communities gather. This includes office buildings, multifamily developments, hospitality environments, retail spaces and mixed-use properties.

In addition to documenting the architecture itself, commercial photography often emphasizes how a space functions and how people experience it. Images may include amenity spaces, lifestyle moments and surrounding neighborhood context.

These photographs are frequently used by developers, property owners and commercial real estate teams for marketing, leasing campaigns and long-term brand positioning.

Architectural Videography

Many projects include both still photography and motion. Architectural videography provides a more immersive way to experience a space, capturing movement, light and atmosphere in ways that still images cannot.

Short films and motion clips are often used for project launches, leasing campaigns, developer marketing, websites and social media.

Combining photography and video within the same production allows the visual language of a project to remain consistent across all marketing platforms.

Drone and Aerial Photography

Drone photography provides a broader perspective that helps communicate the scale of a project and its relationship to the surrounding environment.

Aerial imagery is particularly valuable for multifamily developments, large commercial properties and urban architecture where context plays an important role in understanding the project.

Steven is FAA Part 107 certified and provides licensed drone photography and videography for projects throughout California and the western United States.

Clients and Collaborators

Steven regularly collaborates with:

  • Architecture firms

  • Real estate developers

  • Interior designers

  • Commercial real estate teams

  • Hospitality brands

  • Property owners and asset managers

These partnerships often extend across multiple projects as buildings are completed and new developments come online.

Service Areas

Steven J. Magner is based in Marin County and regularly photographs projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Common project locations include:

  • San Francisco

  • Marin County

  • Oakland

  • Berkeley

  • Silicon Valley

  • San Jose

  • Palo Alto

  • Mountain View

  • Sonoma County

  • Napa Valley

He is also available for projects throughout California and the western United States, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Seattle and Portland.

If you are planning an architectural or commercial photography project, feel free to get in touch to discuss the scope, timeline and goals for the imagery.

Project Inquiry