Villa Mariposa

The brief

I photographed Villa Mariposa in Mykonos for Von Poll Realty in Greece. Set into a rocky hillside in the Cyclades, the residence combines rounded white architecture with a swimming pool, open terraces and shaded outdoor rooms. The commission called for a visual account of the property that would explain its spaces while conveying their atmosphere. I focused on the relationship between the buildings, pool and landscape, then followed that connection through the interiors and into the evening.

The photographic challenge

The villa unfolds across different levels, with steps, planted terraces and curved walls shaping the movement between spaces. A single view cannot explain the whole arrangement. The photographs needed to give each area its own presence while maintaining a clear sense of how the residence fits together.

Light brings another dimension to that challenge. The exposed pool terrace sits alongside deeper shade beneath reed pergolas, while white walls reflect the strong island sun. I wanted to preserve detail in those surfaces without flattening the contrast that defines the architecture. Inside, open doors and windows connect quieter, neutral rooms to brighter terraces and sea views. As daylight fades, the pool, steps and planted borders take on a different character through their lighting.

My approach

I opened the sequence with a broad view of the villa and pool against the hillside. It establishes the stepped composition of the residence, the rounded building forms and the angular pool edge. The surrounding rock and stone boundaries keep the architecture grounded in its Mykonos setting.

Closer poolside views then describe the spaces for gathering and relaxing. Built-in white benches, timber loungers and lime green cushions introduce a more informal scale. The covered dining area extends that story, with the reed pergola filtering sunlight across the table and framing the sea beyond. I used these views to show the continuity between the pool, shaded seating and open outlook, rather than treating them as isolated features.

The outdoor lounge offers a quieter study of materials and geometry. Long timber tables, woven rugs and neutral cushions sit within white walls punctuated by rectangular openings. Looking back towards the terrace reveals how this sheltered room remains connected to the landscape. Garden photographs add another layer, following the stone path, flowering borders and white-painted tree trunks along the facade.

Inside, I concentrated on the openness of the living and dining areas and the more restrained atmosphere of the bedrooms. The arch beside the dining table gives the interior a distinct architectural rhythm, while open doorways carry the eye towards the terraces. Carefully balanced views retain both the furnishings and the exterior outlook.

The final photographs follow the change from sunset to blue hour and night. Reflections settle across the pool, warm lighting defines the steps and planting, and candles bring intimacy to the covered lounge. This transition completes the account of the villa as a series of spaces experienced under changing light.

The result

The 20 photographs present Villa Mariposa through its architecture, interiors and outdoor living spaces, from clear daylight views to the warmth of evening. For Von Poll Realty in Greece, the collection provides a considered visual introduction to the residence, showing its layout, material character and relationship with the hillside and sea.