The latest shoot for a housing association

I’ve worked on a number of shoots for this housing association and have always been impressed by the quality affordable homes they produce time and again for the clients. This was the smallest development I’ve worked on for them and it was based in Lincolnshire. The majority of these homes were already sold so there was little point in dressing an entire show home but the housing association wanted the images for their own records and to use on social media as examples of their builds.

Photographing new homes that are without furniture always makes the job much simpler but a little more challenging as it’s difficult to make empty rooms look interesting! Luckily we had some props to put in the kitchen and bathrooms so that they could be dressed and so make for better images.

I had a lot of strong hard light which made for harsh shadows on some of the external shots but it was great to have some of the homes bathed in all that lovely sunshine to show off the brick work and new roofs.

A lovely family home in West Bridgford, Nottingham

I was asked to photograph this home by the family selling it. They were keen to have their own photographer tell the story of their home to ensure that only the best images were used by the estate agent. I was blessed with great light on the day of the shoot which meant I could shoot the exterior extensively to show off the large garden and different planting areas. The rooms are all spacious so the light flooding into them made the colours of the furniture and artwork stand out against the freshly painted white walls. I love the projector and large screen in their cinema/library and the bi-fold doors in the lounge/dining area. A great house to work in as a property photographer!

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.

A celebration of the great British garden

I had my work cut out for this shoot given how many buildings I had to get round but also extensive grounds that I could have happily worked in all day. The weather was beautiful and the garden was well organised with distinct areas for growing, playing and sitting in quietly to eat and drink, read, reflect or just listen to the birds. The colours and textures were rich and varied and I realised how much joy it gave the owners to walk around the space and enjoy the different areas of their garden.  I wanted to show how the distinct areas all connected so that prospective buyers could get a feel for the layout of the garden and just how much it had to offer. I admit that exploring and photographing this garden did make me want to have my own little green space to cultivate and maybe even photograph. In the meantime here’s some of my favourite shots from photographing this wonderful space.     

A lovely home in the countryside on a perfect shoot day

I admit I got very lucky with the weather on this shoot. Beautiful blue skies and a lovely part of Lincolnshire to be working in. This home is down a quiet country lane and externally is quite understated. The outdoor space is very generous and the view out of the kitchen is wonderful. You could sit peacefully on the patio looking out all afternoon! A great space for entertaining friends or hosting a large family gathering. The interior was a joy to shoot as there was lots of sunlight streaming through the windows and cosy rooms to settle down in for the evening with wood burners and large sofas. The owners were very friendly and accommodating by clearing surfaces and tidying up so that I could move from room to room easily and concentrate on what the best angles were to make images from. This is a small selection from the shoot.

A stunning new build home in the village of Boothby Groffee in Lincolnshire

A beautiful newly built home in the village and civil parish of Boothby Groffee in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. The weather was changeable so there was a little stopping and starting with the outside shoot but it’s all part of the job. Both the developer and I are really happy with the final images. 

New builds that haven’t been ‘dressed’ are less complicated to shoot as there’s no furniture to have to work round. However, it’s then all up to the prospective buyers to visualise themselves in the house and think about how their furniture and personal belongings will fit in. How to bring the best out of their new home to make it comfortable for them and welcoming for family and friends?

Some people have the gift of just knowing how decor, furniture and artwork all work together but others will consult with interior designers to help find the best ideas and colours for each room. It’s exciting to start with a blank canvas and I imagine the person who buys this house will have a lot of fun creating a wonderful home.

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

Small really is beautiful

Images from a show home on a brand new development in the centre of Newark in Nottingham. This house has two bedrooms and is an excellent example of well planned layout and bold interior design. Any home, no matter what the size, can look beautiful and feel luxurious. It was wonderful to be working on this project with a progressive housing association keen to build such great homes for people to live in. I had so much fun walking around and shooting this home. I was lucky to have a good weather day with lovely diffused light coming through the windows. I can’t wait to start the next project with them and share it with you.

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.

When one shoot leads to another......

I started working with a new branch of this estate agent and was pleased to be asked to also do headshots of each team member as they were looking to update their profiles in both print and on the web. The team wanted to have shots that obviously identified them as estate agents but also showed them as professional, friendly, trustworthy and open people to work with.  I look forward to working with them on more impressive properties for sale in the near future. 

Beautiful homes and lots of fun doing property shoots

I have long had an interest in photographing architecture and all sorts of buildings both commercial and residential. I like pondering what makes a structure a great place to live or work and thinking about what lessons we have learnt from the past about how we utilise space. The buildings we occupy should be not only functional but also spaces where we want to spend time and simply enjoy being there. The best architecture does, of course, lift our spirits and makes us feel happy to wander around and explore different areas and watch the play of light in and around the structure. We have an emotional connection to the space and look forward to our visit to either work rest or play. Lately I have been lucky to visit some lovely homes to photograph in preparation for selling and had the pleasure of meeting and talking to interesting people. Here's an example of some of the homes I've had the pleasure to work in. 

Beautiful Properties in the East Midlands

It's always an honour to enter someone's home who is willing to give me total access to take photographs. I don't take the trust for granted so I move from space to space as discreetly as possible and I'm acutely mindful that I'm in someone else's home. Although I work systematically I take the time to think when I'm in a space and consider where the best places are to place my tripod and begin work. As ever, the devil is in the detail when shooting property, so I am constantly assessing the space as I work to make sure everything looks right. Wherever possible I will remove or move things around to make the image work as well as possible to show off the space. Getting back to my desk, shortlisting and editing each photograph is where I finally decide which images will be shown to the estate agent and vendor of course. It's lovely to get positive feedback but I continue to learn all the time because I want to produce the best images I possibly can.