WellSpring Church in Wirksworth Derbyshire

A corker of a job in the lovely market town of Wirksworth in the Derbyshire Dales. I was lucky to find myself there on a beautiful summer’s day and had help moving bits of furniture from the different rooms I was shooting from three very helpful members of the congregation who had volunteered to help me.

 This build is a wonderful example of how to add a contemporary new extension (and modifications to an existing structure) to what was originally a Methodist church built in 1886. The extension houses a new community kitchen and dining area along with new stairs connecting the kitchen to the rest of the church.

 The structure is filled with natural light thanks to the installation of the large windows on one side and the high ceiling over the kitchen area gives a sense of grandeur to the space. Likewise, the dining area is light and open with plenty of space for people to mingle and chat over some food and drink.  

The modifications are in the large community room where children’s and other activities take place during the week and the spacious prayer room in the old church which is so well linked by the main staircase to the new community kitchen beneath it.   

Interior design - Woolaton in Nottingham

A wonderful morning collaborating with interior designer, Hilary Marconetti, who has completed the first room in this newly purchased (and soon to be completely renovated!) house. This is my preferred way of working where we discuss and try ideas on the shoot to ensure I deliver the shots Hilary wants for her portfolio. The contribution of designers like Hilary bring a fresh perspective to a room and it’s clear that Hilary has the vision to elevate what could be ordinary to something really beautiful, tranquil and extraordinary. I love the soft pastel colour palette and the very cool furniture Hilary sourced from her known suppliers. The room is a calming space with great light streaming in from that gorgeous bay window. I know the family who commissioned her to do the work were delighted with the result and I look froward to seeing what Hilary does with the other rooms in the house. 

W Creative Beauty Salon

I had the pleasure of photographing this new beauty salon in Nottingham recently. I loved the colour palette used in the main area downstairs from reception all the way to hairdressing in the back of this substantial space. Upstairs, where the treatment rooms are located has a different feel entirely, with a clean monochrome look but the two areas do work well together.

There’s lots of natural light coming into the building so it makes for a welcoming and airy salon to spend time in. I love the cinema seats in the reception area below those inspiring words and the pink neon on the brick wall behind the coffee bar. Not to mention the excellent playlist that I was listening to while I worked. Clearly someone has great taste in music!

Halton Manor

Out in the countryside photographing an exquisite property with a large cellar, extensive grounds with fruit trees and a series of outhouses which could provide workshops, studios and a large utility room. It was the the best day to be working in a property like this with sunlight coming through all the large windows to show off the beauty of the very different rooms and spaces around the property. The front of the house is discreetly set back from the narrow lane so walking through the front entrance definitely gives the wow factor and a feel of just how beautiful this property is as you make your way inside. I was keen to capture that sense of wonder and awe for prospective buyers as you step inside the front door and into one of the spacious reception rooms offering tranquil views across the grounds.

Pelham Waterside Development

These are some of the images I shot of a show home on the Pelham Waterside development near the River Trent in Nottingham. The architects have done a great job on the layout, across three floors, complete with a private terrace outside the master bedroom. I loved the way each room has been styled and how the space worked so well as I moved from room to room. It was a dream shoot and it’s wonderful to work with a team of professionals who give me the freedom to think and shoot so that we have a selection of images that give a sense of what it would feel like to live in this house. I’m already looking forward to the next project.

Architects: www.cpmg-architects.com

Styling: www.claudehooper.co.uk

PR: www.bigoldhouse.com

Design work: www.simpkinburley.com

A shoot of a show home in north Nottinghamshire for a housing association

I was really impressed with the quality of accommodation on a recent shoot working with a housing association on this site is in north Nottinghamshire. I was blessed with a lovely sunny day so wherever possible I showed off all the natural light pouring into the different rooms. It was a little tricky with the site still very much a construction site so I had to contend with machinery and builders darting about the place outside the windows but I managed to avoid most of it. I'm looking forward to working on more projects with the team in the coming months.

Photographing for Middlesex University Mauritius

After a twenty one year absence I finally decided to visit Mauritius and I was very excited to be commissioned by the university to spend an entire day photographing for them. Different subjects were outlined in their detailed and comprehensive brief which I was happy to complete. I met and photographed a range of staff and students on campus who were all lovely to work with and very accommodating. The campus is near one of the most popular beaches on the west coast of the island and I was very pleased that the day was a little overcast at times, so I could get some respite from the warmer temperatures I would normally be experiencing, which made the job a little easier. Lots of beautiful light to work with and I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful place it is to study. These images are ones I shot of the library and I will share other images from the shoot in future posts.

Nottingham's newest aquatics centre opens in Arnold

The owner of this new aquatics centre has already built a very successful online business selling fish and other pet foods. He now, however, has decided to take the next step and open what he hopes will be the first of a number of outlets in Nottingham and potentially across the UK. It was a pleasure working with him and his team in the new shop and already there were plans to purchase additional tanks for the tropical and marine fish room so it will be interesting to see what other ideas they have to utilise all the space this premises has to offer.