Behind the scenes at the Falconhurst photoshoot

Let me take you right back to Summer - July, in fact. A perfect Summers’ day, an early start and heaps of coffee… it was shoot day for Falconhurst.

As part of their rebranding project, we’d planned a photoshoot for Falconhurst in order to create a library of fresh, relevant and on-brand imagery. Brand photoshoots are often a really daunting prospect for clients; from choosing the right photographer to defining the shot list to actually directing the shoot - there’s a lot to do, and a lot to consider.

Defining the story

Behind any photoshoot should be a clearly defined story. What it is that you want these images to make people think and feel? Amongst a sea of predictable imagery (drinking coffee, pretty product photography, impossibly tidy desks - you know the score), the best way to stand out is to tell a story,

For Falconhurst, that story was one of a hardworking family-run estate which works hard to nurture the land, and bring locally sourced produce to their discerning customers. I knew we needed to capture every angle of the estate - the abundance of the farm shops, the pretty gardens and their hard working team, the historic buildings, the land, and the organic dairy.

Finding a photographer

There are so many brilliant photographers out there, and I’m lucky to have worked with plenty. I don’t have one go-to photographer - instead, it’s about choosing the right photographer whose style and approach is the best fit for the project at hand. In this instance, it could be nobody other than Michael Jackson of Saltwick - a brilliant food and lifestyle photographer, whose earthy, artful style was the perfect fit for the warmth and authenticity that we wanted to communicate for Falconhurst.

Planning the shot list

I’m a big believer in letting any fellow creative have the free reign to do their best work, which means not tying them down to super-specific shots and hovering over every last frame. That being said, in order to get the most from your photographers’ time, you need a plan so that you enter the day knowing exactly what’s expected. I’d already curated a clear shot list in advance, listing out the key subjects and angles I knew I wanted to capture. Between the Falconhurst team, Michael and I, we’d planned the day well in advance. We’d be attending the estate on a busy working day - we needed to be ready to catch things in action and work around farm shop customers, the milking routine on the farm, the availability of the family and the tricky business of sunlight too.

On the day

Michael and I arrived at Falconhurst at 7.30am - in time for the best, dewiest light - and got straight to work. Having already worked with both the Falconhurst team and Michael, we knew who would be available and when - so the day ran smoothly and to time, allowing a little flex here and there for some spontaneity.

The day began in the gardens and farm shop - photographing the gardens before the harsh summer sun rose, and the farm shop before the customers arrived. We’d planned to be at Falconhurst on a Friday, when their visiting fishmonger spends the day there. Perfect for capturing to the variety of produce available at Falconhurst.

Late morning, we headed to the front of the house where Nicola had set up a beautiful lunch spread. This wasn’t for the purpose of feeding us (though we did manage to snaffle some excellent cheese and lovely bread!), but to create the feeling of togetherness - informal hosting, set in the pretty backdrop of the family gardens.

By early afternoon it was off to the organic dairy farm at Falconhurst - a change of pace, a change of footwear and a change of scenery as we found ourselves in the parlour at milking time. We’d timed this portion of the day to ensure we could be at the farm when as the cows ambled down the fields towards the parlour. We’d even scheduled a stop at the highest point of the estate in order to get a beautiful shot of the cows grazing in the field beneath - but sadly the cows were just too keen and had already moved on when we got there! Michael got some brilliant shots of the dairy in action - no mean feat as the lighting was tricky and also required him to brave being at eye level with the cows’ bottoms!

Late afternoon we headed back to the house and gardens. The light was softer than we feared, enabling us to get some beautiful shots of Nicola in the garden, and some lovely details in the glass houses too. A quick check through the shot list gave us a final to-do list which we swept through before home time.

The results

The photographs for Falconhurst were everything I dreamed of. Heaped with character, they’re intelligent, warm and artful images which tell the story of a group of people devoted to their work.

Aside from Michael’s brilliant photography, credit goes to the family and team who gamely embraced the whole process and made themselves entirely available. It was an incredibly productive, but incredibly full-on day, and I don’t doubt they were every bit as exhausted as I was by the end of it!

Tips for planning your brand photoshoot

1/ Firstly, know your style, and choose a photographer accordingly.

I can’t tell you how important it is to have the right photographer for the project. There are so many brilliant photographers out there, and each has their own unique style - so much so that you could invite two photographers to shoot the same location and end up with vastly different results. Know your style, and find a photographer whose portfolio is full of images that fit the bill perfectly.

2/ Be really clear on the purpose of the shoot.

Perhaps you’re looking for some headshots for your media pack? Or a shoot that demonstrates your process and the experience you deliver? Think about what it is that you want to express through your imagery.

3/ Draw up a rough shot list.

Pinterest can be a great resource here - I usually use Pinterest to curate my ideas and provide a little direction, before writing out a hit list of key shots

4/ Be realistic with your timings.

Things can often take quite a bit longer than you think! Work with your photographer to agree what’s possible within one shoot. Make sure you also consider the light conditions, and logistics - if you’re working around a ‘live’ business, know what is going to happen when, and how that might create opportunities or limit options at various points of the day.

5/ Think about props, outfits and location.

The personality of your brand (relaxed and earthy? Elegant and aspirational?) will really steer the sort of venue that would create the most appropriate feel for your shoot. For example, if I was planning a shoot for a nature-inspired brand, I’d seek out a beautiful outdoor location - if I were working with a high end consultant I might look for a boutique hotel to use as the backdrop for the shoot. Switching up outfits is always a good idea, and bringing props - flowers, candles, books and so on - can help add depth and interest.