Rental Property Photography

I’m often asked to photograph clients rental properties, whether serviced apartments, bed and breakfast properties or holiday stays. Unlike a private residence, or even a luxury hotel, properties used for short term stays are often rather simple and probably a bit stark. There won’t be much in the way of personality, the decoration can be a bit ‘utilitarian’ and it can be difficult to find a hint of warmth. I recently shot this place in Cheltenham though, which had been decorated beautifully, and importantly, with the ‘eco conscious’ traveller at heart.

It was a dark and rainy couple of days in early february (not ideal for the photography of a rather imposing period property when ideally we would have had dramatic light pouring in through huge Georgian sash windows!) so we had to choose angles carefully and add in a little artificial light to create atmosphere. The end results look great I think, and a sprinkling of ‘lifestyle’ shots adds personality to the set of images. The clients were pleased! At the time of the photography, some of the building was without electricity, so I had to use some photoshop magic to add window lights for the exterior shot. Post production is now as much a part of any photographic job as the actual shoot!

The property comprises of 6 serviced apartments in Cheltenham and is family run. Check out their website here

Recent work for The South Sands Hotel in Salcombe

I used to work at this place when I was a boy. I was car park attendant and had an absolute blast of a summer, living in the ‘staff accommodation’ at the back of the hotel (these are now rather plush suites that overlook the beach, but back then they were hovels with no electricity… still, you don’t care when you are 18 and away from home for the first time do you?!). The hotel is now a rather fabulous beachside place with beautiful rooms and a view to die for. Thanks for the work, South Sands Hotel!

Holcombe, Somerset, hotel and restaurant photography

I just spent a great couple of days photographing at the newly refurbished Holcombe Inn in Somerset. The emphasis is firmly on organic food, grown as locally as possible, served in a fabulous understated coaching inn, with interiors designed by the excellent Annabelle Holland Design (look at the colour palette!). Laid back, top quality and set in the rolling hills of North Somerset, it’s near to Bath and Bristol, and it’s even mentioned in the Domesday book! It reopens soon, and we took the opportunity to photograph it before the visitors flock in… We photographed the rooms, the food and the vegetable gardens.

Hotel Photography

Bowood Hotel

I thought I’d write a little bit about hotel photography and why I find it such a satisfying part of my photographic work. I photograph hotels throughout the United Kingdom, Italy and France, Spain and soon India! I started my career as an interiors photographer, adding garden photography soon after. I have always loved gardening and beautiful gardens so it seemed a natural step to photograph them too especially as many of the magazines that I worked for had garden sections too. There’s nothing more inspiring and good for the soul as being out at dawn photographing a sublime garden.

Photography at Chateau Impney

Much of my time is spent photographing flowers and my fascination in photographing all things macro, small and floral, led me in to photographing food. It’s similar in many ways. I use natural light, I go in close and the current trends for fresh clean and unfussy food means that a plate of wonderfully prepared food can look much like a plate of flowers!

Barnsley House Hotel

So, in the early days, as I was asked to photograph a hotel in the Cotswolds. In fact it was Barnsley House, a fabulously designed place, done by one of my now regular interior photography clients Martin Hulbert Design!. It was also the home of legendary garden guru Rosemary Verey, mentor of Prince Charles. I soon realised that photographing hotels is a combination of my favourite bits of my job, the interiors, gardens, food and lifestyle.

Photography at Il Borro, Tuscany

A lot can be accomplished during a day at the hotel, especially if you are well organised. We can do 4-5 bedrooms, including bathrooms if required, some living areas, some food and a selection of other important areas ( maybe the spa? the restaurant, or even maybe the staff?) In an ideal world I would do two days as It gives me the chance to shoot over the evening, or early morning as well, and in a large hotel, it is surprising how long it can take navigating around the rooms as they become available! However, I am sometimes asked for just a half day, perhaps just to showcase the new menu, or a couple of new rooms recently decorated.

Photography at Borgo Pignano, Tuscany

Please do get in touch to discuss, and please take a look at this guide to hotel photography, which can give you an idea about how the day of the shoot progresses. Obviously, I am flexible, I can fit in with the rooms becoming available, and I am quick and tidy. Call me or email to discuss. Thanks for reading!

Please do contact me if you would like me to send you a free printed portfolio of my hotel photography

And while you are here, perhaps I could ask you to head over to my revamped Facebook Page and give me a like? many thanks.

Christmas hotel photography for Bowood Hotel & Spa

At least it is in the world of magazines who are already on the lookout for features for their December issues. Many’s the Christmas shoot I’ve been commissioned to do – in July…  With gardens looking blooming lovely and trees sporting the greenest of leaves, I’m inside with stylists lighting a roaring fire, decorating a tree and wrapping presents for a cosy, rosy glow, front cover. 

Luxury hotels on the other hand are a different matter. Although they like to get ahead producing brochures that showcase their festive delights to entice guests and Christmas party bookers, many are happy to have their Christmas hotel photography completed the year before. The brochure above which I photographed for Bowood Hotel & Spa was actually shot last December when the place was in full festive mode and decorated for the season. This can only be a good thing as I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable asking the chef to knock up some mince pies or roast turkey in August while demanding the guests swap shorts for reindeer jumpers.

If you would like to discuss some festive hotel photography, do get in touch. That’ll be one thing ticked off your Christmas to do list…

Thanks so much, Mark 

Photography at Casa Da Calcada Hotel, Portugal

Hotel Food Photography in Portugal

Situated on the beautiful Douro river and not too far from lovely Porto, is the luxurious and rather grand looking 'Casa Da Calada' Hotel. Its famous for its wonderful food, and Tiago is a renowned Michelin starred chef. The food tastes amazing but it also looks wonderful... an easy job for a food photographer!

The Grove Hotel, Narberth, photography for Martin Hulbert Design

I was pleased to to be asked to photograph the latest hotel interior design project by Martin Hulbert Design (featured in House and Garden's 'The List'). The Grove , Narberth is a country hotel in deepest Wales... understated, quiet, luxurious and very, very cool. This is partly to do with the design, which manages to be completely 'in keeping' and authentic, but at the same time contemporary and chic. Jay Grierson, who I worked with on the shoot, says that the aim was 'to combine traditional and contemporary and be thoughtful, considered and appropriate... Creative with an extra layer of magic on top.' I think it worked!

Tuscany in May, Photography of Hotels

Nowadays, if you are planning a trip to Tuscany in May, pack an umbrella alongside the suntan lotion! Two weeks in Chiantishire, photographing four hotels, was an exercise in dodging the showers and then basking in beautiful sun. The light was always lovely though, and the four places, Borgo Pignano, Borgo Argiano, Follonico and Castello Di Vicarello certainly looked wonderful, whatever the weather! On a whistle-stop tour, we photographed rooms, spas, pools, food and staff... thanks to all of them for the views, the welcome and the superb food.