Canberra-based photographer Lean Timms on storytelling home spaces through the lens

Lean Timms is not your regular interior photographer; she’s a cool interior photographer. I mean, how else would you describe someone who likens the practice of photography to crafting the perfect cheese platter and totally pull it off?

The Canberra-based photographer has spent the better part of a decade roaming wide and sharing stories through the lens of her camera, working alongside some pretty impressive names like Airbnb, Vogue Living Australia and Canberra’s own Hotel Hotel (now Ovolo Nishi hotel), with light and connection always as her focal points.

“In 2013, I began documenting and sharing stories of travel, food and fellow creative humans on a blog called Lean and Meadow, which catapulted me into my photography career,” Timms says.

“Then in 2014, I photographed a book in the USA called Saints of Old Florida, and it was my first intro to photographing beautiful homes to tell a lifestyle story. Photographing homes, gardens and inspiring spaces quickly became a favourite subject of mine.”

What makes Timms’ photographs so strikingly unique is the “lived-in” feel they exude, borne from a commitment to, and passion for, capturing the essence of the space rather than the individual objects in the frame.

Her interior and home images feel welcoming and approachable at first glance and encapsulate a human-like warmth and personality. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Timms’ job is easy, as each space appears as if you’ve just stumbled upon the perfect moment in time, where the people enjoying the scene have just stepped out of focus, soon to return to the cosy bed and their half-drunken coffee.

But there is a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to Timms’ photographs.

“Setting up the shot always makes me think of a cheese platter at a party – if the cheese platter is put out all perfect and untouched, it’ll always take time for someone to dive in and cut the first piece of cheese. If a couple of pieces of cheese are already cut before putting the board out, people will feel welcome to dig in straight away,” Timms says.

“It’s the same with styling a space for a photo. I love to mess up the bed, crinkle the pillows, include a half-finished coffee, that’s when people are immediately drawn in and feel automatically ready to engage with the space.”

Then, of course, there’s the wonderful way she plays with light, which dances across each photograph as if it were the stage. Timms’ consideration of how light alters and transports the mood of a space is truly all class.

You’ll never spot a Timms photograph where natural light isn’t the main character, putting on a show for the rest of us to consume.

“My creative practice is driven by natural light, storytelling, and immersing into and surrendering to place – wherever and whatever that might look like,” Timms says.

“Everything has a story and I love the challenge and honour of capturing and sharing that story.”

If, after reading this, you’re thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to have Timms shoot my home for an upcoming sale?” you’re in luck. With a gentle nudge and some smooth words, Timms is open to the idea of residential photography.

In the meantime, though, you can be transported to Timms’ reality through her print store, where anything is possible.