November 29, 2025

A Transformative Before-and-After in South Boston

This South Boston condo tells a full renovation story. I photographed the space four times, from the early “before” phase to the raw demo stage and finally the finished rooms. The designer wanted each step documented so he could show clients how his ideas take shape. With consistent angles and framing, every room reveals a clear before-and-after moment that highlights the power of thoughtful design.

Documenting a Full Renovation From Start to Finish

Some projects feel meaningful right from the first visit. This South Boston condo was one of them. The homeowner, who is also a designer, wanted a full record of his renovation. Not just polished photos at the end, but a true before-and-after story that showed every dramatic change along the way. He knew my work from past projects, so he reached out and asked if I could document this renovation from the first day until the last detail was installed.

I visited the condo four times over the course of the project. Each visit revealed a new stage and a new transformation.

Kitchen

From outdated to reimagined

The kitchen went through the most dramatic transformation.

Looking at the full timeline, it almost feels like three different homes: the original layout, the stripped-down demo phase, and the final custom design that completely reshaped the heart of the condo.

Kitchen before renovation with original cabinets, island and stainless steel appliances in South Boston condo — Before – The original kitchen layout before the renovation began.

Kitchen stripped to studs during demo phase showing open framing, exposed wiring and construction progress — Demo – The kitchen fully opened up during demo, before new design work started.

Before + Demo

During demo, the kitchen became almost unrecognizable. Studs, wires and open framing replaced the old cabinets. Tight spaces made it hard to shoot, but consistency was important, so I kept the same angles, same lens and same framing every time.

This is the kind of documentation architects and designers find valuable. It shows how a space is rebuilt from the inside out.

Finished kitchen with custom cabinetry, marble counters, modern lighting and a complete redesign — Final – The finished kitchen, completely reimagined with new materials and layout.

Final

The finished kitchen was my favorite part to photograph. Everything felt new and intentional. Shooting wide and using clean, two-to-three wall perspectives helped show how the kitchen was completely reimagined. It’s a great example of how design choices can turn a dated room into something fresh and modern.

Bathroom

A complete transformation

Bathrooms often have the most striking before-and-after moments, and this one was no exception.

Bathroom demo phase with exposed framing, insulation and plumbing during renovation — Demo – The bathroom stripped down to framing during construction

During demo

Once the walls came down, it was hard to even recognize the room. Shooting these phases is always challenging because the space feels unfamiliar. Tight corners required careful angles to make sure every stage would match the final shots.

Completed bathroom with modern finishes, updated fixtures and clean, contemporary design. — Final – The finished bathroom with updated materials and a complete transformation

Final

The finished bathroom shows what thoughtful design can create. Clean lines, textures and lighting took the room from basic to fully transformed. Documenting the whole evolution helps reveal the work behind the final look.

Bedroom

Finished bedroom with patterned wallpaper, updated furnishings and warm, custom design — Final – The finished bedroom showing new textures, colors and a complete design update.

The bedroom didn’t change structurally, but the design choices made a big impact. Before-and-after comparisons show how color, layout and materials can completely shift the feeling of a room.

Even small transformations matter when you’re telling a design story.

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What I Learned From Documenting This Renovation

Working on a long-term project like this taught me a few important things:

Wide shots and two-to-three wall views tell the clearest story
Matching angles from start to finish creates stronger comparisons
Talking with the designer ahead of time helps me plan the most important shots

For Architects and Designers: Why Document the Process

A finished photo is great, but a transformative before-and-after story is even stronger.

Clients want to see how a space was reimagined. They want to understand your thinking, your process and the work that happens behind the final layer of paint.

This South Boston condo is a perfect example of what happens when the full journey is documented. Four visits, one consistent approach and a complete visual timeline from untouched to fully rebuilt.

If you want this type of progress documentation for your own projects, I can help you create a clean, consistent story from the first walkthrough to the final reveal.

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