Meet Peter Lyons

I’m Peter and I’m an architectural and maritime photographer. I feel incredibly fortunate to make my living as a visual creative, doing something I love to do.

I love the “people” part of my work. One of the greatest serendipities of this gig is all the cool, talented, kind people I get to collaborate with. Sometimes it’s someone I work with again and again. Other times it’s someone I’ll meet once and never see again. Either way, I value the creative exchange. I’m not the prima-donna photographer who needs every detail and decision to go my way—I welcome the back-and-forth of ideas and believe the best work happens when more than one brain is engaged. Whenever possible, I shoot tethered to one or two monitors so everyone on set can see what the camera sees, weigh in, and help shape the final image.

My lifelong love of the ocean has led me into maritime photography, which continues to be a fascinating and rewarding branch of my work. Whether I'm photographing massive vessels and tugs in a seaport or documenting a quiet sunrise in a working harbor, I love getting glimpses into an industry that runs so much of the world behind the scenes—and the people who keep it moving.

My day-to-day happily includes quite a bit of variety. Sometimes I'm on-location photographing a home or business with an interior designer, architect, builder, or real estate broker. Other times I'm at a seaport or on a shoreline somewhere shooting a tanker for a ship’s agent or a container ship for a cargo handler or shipping line. A few times a year I shoot sailing regattas. I shoot from the ground, from boats, helicopters, planes, and drones. And yeah, plenty of days and nights I'm in front of my computer like everyone else, editing (lots of editing) or emailing or Zooming, taking care of all the behind-the-scenes stuff that needs to happen for a business to run.

At home in Petaluma, California, I live with my wife Caroline, a career school administrator now with UC Berkeley. We have a big, blended crew of eight adult kids and, somehow, a growing pack of grandkids—despite being far too young for that to be possible.

Let's collaborate

kitchen photographed for real estate with attention to lighting, finishes, and spatial flow

Northern California outdoor living space captured for real estate listings

My Values

What Guides My Work Behind the Scenes and the Camera

exterior shot of a sonoma property at dusk featuring a Mediterranean villa and an orchard

What you do is hard. It takes time, taste, trust, and technical skill. I respect your craft deeply and approach every shoot as a chance to honor the effort you’ve already put in.

photographing an interior design showroom in San Francisco captured for real estate and marketing purposes

Working with great clients is the best part. Mine often mention how easy the process feels. That’s intentional. I want you to walk away thinking: That was fun, and I’m excited about the photos we captured.

sonoma real estate photographer for luxury designers and architects

Great photography doesn’t come from working in isolation. I believe the best images happen when everyone’s aiming for the same visual outcome. You won’t find diva energy here.

professional action shot of a racing sailboat in San Francisco Bay

Every detail matters, and I have the patience to fine-tune each and every one. My job is to notice what others might miss and make sure each image feels as intentional as the space itself.

design detail of a San Francisco luxury home staircase with glass windows

high end decor in a Bay Area luxury residence captured by an architectural photographer

Why Clients Keep Coming Back

You’re Part of the Process.

My shoots are collaborative by design. I tether the camera to a screen so you can see each frame as we go. We talk, tweak, and decide together.

Clarity on Cost.

Everything I offer is included in my flat-fee pricing as your trusted Bay Area real estate photographer. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for and exactly what you’ll receive.

Post-Production with Purpose.

I spend as much time editing as I do shooting. You’ll receive a final set of professional imagery that feels curated, clean, and complete.

One Shoot, Many Uses.

A single shoot can serve the whole project team: Architects, builders, designers, stagers, agents, and more. My cost-sharing model helps everyone win.