Bring Nature In: Fine Art Photography Meets Modern Interior
- George Wheelhouse
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 15
Today I'm launching the new tagline for my website: “Bring Nature In”. I've put a lot of thought into this over the past weeks & months, and I'm now adopting this mantra across my work. At face value, it reflects something simple: the act of adding natural imagery to indoor spaces. But I intend for this philosophy to run through my work like a fine wood grain. In this post I'd like to introduce the idea, and expand on the concept.
Introducing the Tagline: What “Bring Nature In” Means to Me
In recent decades, as our homes and workspaces have become increasingly modern & functional, they’ve often lost touch with the natural world outside. “Bring Nature In” is a reminder — and a creative principle — that we can re-establish that connection. But it’s about more than just decoration; it’s about embedding elements of nature into our daily lives in ways that feel meaningful and lasting.
I want to contribute to that shift through my photography, and the wall art prints I produce. It can be the quiet presence of a Highland cow, the layered textures of a woodland, or the stillness of a big-sky landscape; my images are intended to do more than fill wall space. My aim is that they create a mood and an atmosphere, offering a visual connection for the space — and the people in it — to something authentic, inspiring and calming.
Nature-Themed Wall Art & Biophilic Design.
Whether you’re moving into a new home, or redecorating an existing space, wall art plays a role in shaping the tone of a room. Nature photography offers an accessible way to layer colour, texture, and add a sense of place into a space — without adding clutter. This aligns with the principles of biophilic design: a movement which encourages the integration of natural elements — light, plants, texture, and imagery — into built environments.
Many of my fine art nature portraits feature animals such as deer, highland cows, bison, and moose, photographed in a quiet, respectful way. These statement pieces can ground a room in the context of the nature found locally, or act as focal points in a wider interior design scheme.
I also shoot more subtle images: landscapes and abstract nature photography, which suit smaller spaces or minimalist interiors. For your own project, check out my Galleries, which offer a range of options depending on the mood and intent of the particular room.
The Benefits of Surrounding Ourselves with Nature Imagery
The motivation behind "Bring Nature In" goes beyond aesthetics. There’s a growing body of research showing that exposure to nature — even in visual form — can have measurable effects on our happiness. While much of the early evidence focused on time spent outdoors, more recent studies have explored the impact of nature-based imagery in indoor environments, including homes, offices, and healthcare settings.
The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals has compiled extensive research demonstrating that viewing nature photography in clinical environments can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even decrease the need for pain medication.
In one study across three oncology centres in Italy, patients exposed to nature photography reported significantly higher levels of trust and emotional comfort compared to those in sterile, art-free rooms.
While a framed photograph may not replicate the full sensory experience of being outdoors, it can still offer a calming visual anchor that helps reduce mental fatigue and promote emotional balance.
In residential interiors, this effect is more subtle but no less valuable. A well-chosen image can shift the tone of a room — creating a space that feels more grounded, and more connected to the world beyond it's walls.
I've certainly experienced this myself, as I've sought to furnish my own interiors with a combination of nature photography, natural history & botanical illustrations, and even a decorative map of the region of Greenland we visited in 2019. The impact of our surrounding interiors definitely has a positive effect on me, both consciously and subconsciously.
Beyond the Frame: How Else Nature Photography Can Be Applied
While framed prints have traditionally been the most common way to incorporate photography into interiors, there’s also growing interest in alternative applications. I’ve worked with clients to adapt images for large-scale use and I’m open to collaborating on custom commissions.
Growing trends for interior design include:
Wallpaper murals — bring a full wall to life with an immersive nature mural.
Fabric printing — create textile murals, tapestries, unique materials for soft furnishings.
Outdoor Artwork — for public spaces, or garden façades.
Acrylic or Metal prints — for a modern, frameless look in contemporary homes, or high-traffic commercial spaces.
If you’re an interior designer looking to integrate natural photography into a broader scheme — or a homeowner with something creative in mind — contact me. I’m always happy to explore these options.
Nature in Modern Interior Design: Case Studies and Inspiration
Nature-based wall art isn’t a niche style. It’s an increasingly central part of high-end interior design, especially in spaces curated for instinctive calm and comfort.
- by Clodagh Design
Clodagh Design’s West Village Loft project is a refined example of how nature photography can be seamlessly integrated into a contemporary urban space. Designed for an art-loving couple, the loft features lacewood art ledges and adaptable lighting that highlight a collection of large-scale photographic prints that echo natural textures and landscapes. These elements, paired with soft, earthy tones and views of the Hudson River, create a calm, grounded atmosphere that brings the outside in while celebrating the owner’s creative spirit.
Jesse contacted me back in 2022, to licence my deer photo for this Finnish restaurant interior. I love the quiet confidence this design, and the combination of natural materials. It embraces the hallmarks of modern Nordic style; clean geometry with sharply defined angles, flat ceramic surfaces in matte finishes, and textured stone — balanced effortlessly by the warmth of natural wood.
Of course it's great to see my deer image used here, but I particularly love the tree mural behind the bar; adding a sense of place and identity, as well as attractive imagery. Together, the combination of materials and wall art of this interior create a natural sense of calm and reassurance, bridging the gap between landscape and interior.
- by Studio Collective
The 1 Hotel brand is a flagship for biophilic design, and the Seattle edition is no exception. It features reclaimed materials, and living green walls throughout. Guest rooms include large photography wall art prints of natural scenes, curated to reflect the hotel’s dynamic waterfront setting, and sustainability ethos. It’s a strong example of how art and nature can be integrated into a luxury hospitality experience without feeling forced.
A Guiding Principle
As an independent artist, it's easy to get lost in the weeds, but I hope this new tagline will help guide my approach, moving forward. It should act as a kind of distillation: a way to describe what I’ve always tried to do with my work: To create images that depict nature with reverence, respect, and dash of playfulness. And to provide a springboard for others to shape spaces that reflect those same values.
Please browse my image galleries here, or reach out to discuss a project you're working on, and Bring Nature In.
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George
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