The Art of Synergy

When Design and Photography Speak the Same Language

By Jonathan Hite | Founder & Creative Director, HAUS of HITE

A sculptural chandelier floats effortlessly within the soaring geometry of this master staircase, its circular and diamond forms echoing the architectural rhythm of the banisters and balustrades. Framed by crisp white railings and warm wood accents, the view becomes a kinetic interplay of light, structure, and modern grace—an artful pause between floors.

In the sun-dappled enclaves of San Francisco’s Presidio District, where grand homes meet fog-kissed cypress and silence is broken only by birdsong or the breeze, something remarkable happened. A moment—not merely of aesthetics, but of harmony, instinct, and quiet brilliance—was captured on camera. It was here that HAUS of HITE, known for its emotive storytelling through design and photography, collaborated with Josephine Fisher Interiors, a rising star in the world of West Coast interior design.

This editorial isn’t just a recounting of a photoshoot; it’s a portrait of collaboration. Of what happens when two creatives—each with their own compass—navigate a space together, only to discover they’ve charted the same course.

This salon unfolds with curated contrast—graphic art, sculptural furniture, and a black velvet sofa grounding the light-filled space. The view into the adjacent living room reveals a masterful layering of pattern, form, and flow, each room in quiet conversation with the next.

A Shared Language of Light and Form

“Jon photographs on instinct,” said Josephine Fisher, reflecting on her time working with Jon Hite of HAUS of HITE. “He uses the natural light and highlights the architecture’s most flattering angles. An artist most definitely—but also a true joy to work with.”

It’s a rare thing, this blend of artistry and ease. But it’s exactly the quality that has defined HAUS of HITE across its multifaceted creative portfolio. Known for a photography style that leans into the organic—never forcing, always feeling—the firm treats light like a medium of memory, and rooms as narrative landscapes.

For the Presidio project, this meant entering the space not as a director, but as a listener. “We approached the shoot like an unfolding story,” Hite explained. “It wasn’t about staging perfection. It was about honoring the intentional choices Josephine had made—her palette, her textures, the feeling she was chasing in every corner.”

And what Josephine created was indeed poetic. The interiors were a study in restraint and detail, with sun-bleached Belgian linens paired with low-profile slide tables, sculptural greenery, and a marble fireplace surround that lent quiet drama to the room. There was a quiet confidence to it all. A home deeply lived in, yet precise in its composition.

Honed marble, burnished metal, and soft herringbone upholstery converge in quiet sophistication. Each texture is thoughtfully layered, creating a tactile symphony that feels both grounded and luminous.

Design with Intention: Josephine Fisher Interiors

Josephine Fisher Interiors has quickly become synonymous with thoughtful, soul-stirring spaces in the Bay Area and beyond. Her design philosophy is grounded in a reverence for craftsmanship and a collector’s eye for the unique. Spending time between Santa Barbara and Paris, Josephine’s sensibility walks the line between California cool and European discipline—layered yet unpretentious, storied yet thoroughly modern.

Her work in the Presidio property was no exception. It whispered of place and history while inviting the lives of its residents to remain the focal point. “Good design should be about how people feel when they walk into a room,” Fisher often says. “Not what they see, but what they feel.”

This ethos aligned perfectly with HAUS of HITE, whose photographic approach draws from that same wellspring of lived experience. “When I photograph interiors,” Hite notes, “I’m thinking not just of the form and framing, but of the feeling. The way morning light falls on stone. The creak of floorboards. The invisible stories a room tells when no one’s watching.”

Together, their shared values led to images that felt more like portraits than product—honest, evocative, and utterly human.

With its vaulted beams and dappled carpet underfoot, this entertainment room strikes the perfect balance between playful and polished. Soft greys, sculptural seating, and whimsical touches invite both gathering and grounded relaxation in a space that feels effortlessly elevated.

Preserving Vision, Elevating Identity

But the collaboration between HAUS of HITE and Josephine Fisher extended far beyond the Presidio home. Recognizing the growing demand for Fisher’s unique design touch and visual identity, the partnership evolved into a comprehensive creative project. HAUS of HITE was commissioned to design her brand’s visual suite—from logo creation to the development of a bespoke website that mirrored the refined ethos of Josephine Fisher Interiors.

The result? A digital presence as layered and intentional as her interiors. The website isn’t just a portfolio—it’s a visual journal. Built with flow and function in mind, it invites users to move intuitively through the work, much like Josephine’s own spatial compositions. No clutter, no noise—just refined design in its truest sense.

As part of this launch, HAUS of HITE also photographed Josephine’s atelier on Sacramento Street, a small yet curated shop that had become a destination for design lovers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces. That shop has since blossomed into Fisher’s—an extension of her physical storefront, brought to life as an online retail experience.

From still life product photography to rich editorial content, every element of Fisher’s was carefully orchestrated by HAUS of HITE to echo Josephine’s visual language. Clean, warm, textural. It’s the kind of online experience that feels more like visiting a favorite friend’s home than clicking through a store.

Fisher's located at 3308 Sacramento Street in San Francisco

Harmony Without Homogeny

One of the most compelling aspects of this collaboration is the way each creative retained their signature—without overshadowing the other. HAUS of HITE, true to its brand DNA, infused the project with its hallmark blend of romanticism, story, and editorial polish. Yet Josephine’s unmistakable design style remained the soul of every frame.

It’s a rare creative alchemy—to elevate someone else’s work while amplifying your own. But it’s precisely that synergy that defines the ethos of HAUS of HITE: to create from the heart, to honor the story, and to design with flow.

“There’s a flow to working with Jon,” Josephine said. “Nothing feels forced. He sees the beauty in the in-between moments.”

That philosophy—that beauty lives not just in things but in moments, in feelings, in the movement of life itself—is what continues to set HAUS of HITE apart. Whether crafting brand identities, editorial campaigns, or fine art photography, the through line remains: emotion, flow, and authenticity.

A hallway of quiet drama, this space by Josephine Fisher features a hypnotic geometric wallcovering that draws the eye forward like a visual current. Paired with a tailored striped runner, it transforms transition into experience—elevated, intentional, and unmistakably hers.

A Look Ahead

As both studios grow, the spirit of this collaboration serves as a case study in what’s possible when creatives lead with mutual respect and shared vision. Fisher’s online store is now thriving, her portfolio reaching wider audiences thanks to HAUS of HITE’s art direction and photographic insight. Meanwhile, HAUS of HITE continues to deepen its footprint in luxury branding, interiors, and editorial storytelling—cementing its reputation as both a studio and a storyteller.

But perhaps more importantly, this project represents something larger: a shift toward design and branding that is emotionally intelligent. That values how people feel over how things simply look. That prioritizes human connection over polished perfection.

And if this collaboration proves anything, it’s that when you combine instinctive artistry with intentional design—magic happens.

Follow Josephine Fisher Interiors on Instagram.

& Shop Fisher's for that perfect hostess gift!

This entryway sets a striking first impression with its graphic black-and-white patterned floor, sculptural details, and a marble console styled with quiet drama. A velvet stool with gold trim and fringe adds a whimsical contrast to the structured stair runner, marrying playfulness with poise.