Story Photography

REPOST DUE TO PREVIOUS IMAGE QUALITY ISSUE

This is the Senate House in London - part of the University of London. These are a few snaps that I took handheld on a recThis is the Senate House in London - part of the University of London. These are a few snaps that I took handheld on a rec visit.

There's lots of information online about this building, but briefly it was designed by Charles Holden, of London Underground fame, as part of an uncompleted larger masterplan for the Bloomsbury campus. Finished in 1937, at 19 storeys high, it was the tallest secular building in London at the time.

The quality is incredible, from the Portland stone exterior, to the travertine cladding internally, great craftsmanship was employed in its construction. It's a building that can't help but make you feel moved, if you spend a while exploring it. It's well looked after and is grade 2* listed.

It's popularly known as an Art Deco building, but I'd argue that it is more of a modernist building, with many aspects essentially of that basis. It does have deco styled motifs - although the spandrel panel design in the third image is in fact the plan of the building!

NOT MY PHOTOS. Post 2 of 2

Late last year I was delighted to be asked to go and speak to the 2nd year BA Hons Interior Design students on the subject of Architectural Photography as someone who has 'pivoted' from their original professional background.

I love talking about photography, so it wasn't hard. But I wanted to also get the students involved, and thinking about how interiors can look through a lens.

This is the second batch of images (see previous post for first set) All shot on phone cameras. Photograhers (where known):

1 - .designs
2 - Liv Hunter
3 - Workmans' Boots -
4 - Stepping Stones -
5 - Reminiscent -

It's really interesting to see how design students interpret space through a camera, and what caught their eye within the amazing facility that they have at Bath Spa.

NOT MY PHOTOS. Post 1 of 2

Late last year I was delighted to be asked to go and speak to the 2nd year BA Hons Interior Design students on the subject of Architectural Photography as someone who has 'pivoted' from their original professional background.

I love talking about photography, so it wasn't hard. But I wanted to also get the students involved, and thinking about how interiors can look through a lens.

These are the results, and I think they did really well. All shot on phone cameras. Photograhers (where known):

1 - Hand Land (unsure of photographer)
2 - Katie Mahony Ashen
3 -
4 - .interior
5 - Benny Cappa
6 - Empty Model - Millie Dexter

It's really interesting to see how design students interpret space through a camera, and what caught their eye within the amazing facility that they have at Bath Spa.

While it’s not the main thing I do, I sometimes get asked to shoot some portraits. Recently I was doing some headshots in a local office, and used various locations around the office to avoid the results looking formulaic. Spotting this brightly coloured wall, I thought it complemented Barbara’s outfit perfectly.

I think Barbara looks really relaxed and self-assured, especially as she was surrounded by her colleagues, in a busy office environment.

Shot with minimal additional lighting, just to fill some of the shadows.

Can anyone guess what film is on the screen? Let me know in the comments!

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work
by the owner, the Architect and
many others involved with the project. I'm one of
those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have
assisted in helping the client get the look they were
after, along with . Our friends
provided lighting for the project which
was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very
evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without
their dedication.

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work
by the owner, the Architect and
many others involved with the project. I'm one of
those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have
assisted in helping the client get the look they were
after, along with . Our friends
provided lighting for the project which
was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very
evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without
their dedication.

Well, the house might be beautiful, but I think there's another star in the first photo!

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work by the owner, the Architect and many others involved with the project. I'm one of those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have assisted in helping the client get the look they were after, along with . Our friends provided lighting for the project which was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without their dedication.

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work by the owner, the Architect and many others involved with the project. I'm one of those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have assisted in helping the client get the look they were after, along with . Our friends provided lighting for the project which was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without their dedication.

So, it was a joy when it was finally time to photograph it. Playing Russian Roulette with the British weather, we were lucky enough to get a couple of great days in amongst the rainy ones.

Interiors to follow...

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work by the owner, the Architect and many others involved with the project. I'm one of those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have assisted in helping the client get the look they were after, along with . Our friends provided lighting for the project which was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without their dedication.

So, it was a joy when it was finally time to photograph it. Playing Russian Roulette with the British weather, we were lucky enough to get a couple of great days in amongst the rainy ones.

This is again the rear of the house at night, the second image being a daytime drone shot which helps explain the context and levels of the house.

Look out for more in the coming days.

This beautiful home is the product of much hard work by the owner, the Architect and many others involved with the project. I'm one of those, and with my Interior Design hat on, have assisted in helping the client get the look they were after. Our friends provided lighting for the project which was also considered as part of the ID work.

The clients' energy and pursuance of perfection is very evident, and the scheme wouldn't be what it is without their dedication.

So, it was a joy when it was finally time to photograph it. Playing Russian Roulette with the British weather, we were lucky enough to get a couple of great days in amongst the rainy ones.

This is the back of the house, just at that time when exterior and interior light balance, although natural light was fast fading.

Look out for more in the coming days.

Another image from a little shoot I did for of the new office space in Bristol for . A lovely new interior designed by Studio Fika and fitted out by Alteriors to their ever high standards. Lots of great spaces, offering plenty of 'away from desk' options, and plenty of great photo-ops!

You can see more of this on my website - link in bio, as they say!

An image from a little shoot I did for of the new office space in Bristol for . A lovely new interior designed by Studio Fika and fitted out by Alteriors to their ever high standards. Lots of great spaces, offering plenty of 'away from desk' options, and plenty of great photo-ops!

You can see more of this on my website - link in bio, as they say!

A few detail shots from in North Street, Bristol, designed by . With a gentle approach to the refurbishment of the building, Kieran has retained many of the historic features, which sit really well with the Pizzarova brand

Photographed recently for , this is in North Street, Bristol. With a gentle approach to the refurbishment of the building, Kieran has retained many of the historic features, which sit really well with the Pizzarova brand

A few of shots of the interior showing the honest and simple materiality that Kieran has used. More to follow...

Photographed recently for , this is in North Street, Bristol. With a gentle approach to the refurbishment of the building, Kieran has retained many of the historic features, which sit really well with the Pizzarova brand - not least of all the Bollom sign from the store's past use. I wonder how many locals remember this name - I certainly do, although it's been gone a while now.

While we photographed the interior during the afternoon, we wanted to try and capture some of the evening activity that happens as the light starts to fade, so hanging around a little longer proved to be worthwhile. Watch this space for some interior shots in the next few days.

No, it's not a club, it's Bristol Light Festival. This is Beam by Bristol based and is an immersive experience using light, lasers and smoke to transform Castle Bridge into a very different kind of crossing.

This was the third year of the Light Festival, and was a great experience for the whole family - my kids loved it, and not only were the installations great, it was fun exploring the city in the dark as well!

A different point of view...

One of the things I love about photography is trying to find the best viewpoint of the subject, and it's always satisfying to find something that may not be immediately obvious.

These photographs were taken in Bristol, and I was photographing the refreshed atrium space by with furniture by and lighting by . I knew the space, having worked on the interior design of the building's base build many years ago, so I wanted to capitalise on the height of the atrium.

The first shot is taken from one of the higher floors looking down with a telephoto lens, while the second is shot from my drone. It was the first time I had flown it indoors, but with a few setting tweaks, it worked like a dream.

The fabulous suspended lighting system is made by .

Whilst on a recent trip to London, I had the opportunity to pop to - no tilt/shift lenses and tripods for this, just my Fujifilm XT3 which I had in my bag.

I love this building. I'm so pleased to see it finally restored. Some aspects of its conversion/renovation have been controversial, however it is preserved and secure for the future, which is significant.

I'll not comment on the surrounding development or the use of the building as a shopping centre, but the money for the power station's renovation had to come from somewhere.

1.75 million new bricks were used, sourced from the two original manufacturers, impressive in itself. The new materials (e.g corten steel) compliment the original surfaces extremely well too, in my opinion. The extensive planting around the building is also a great success.

I'd love to visit Control Room A - there's a good video on YouTube hosted by Tony Robinson all about its restoration - recommended viewing.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Merry Christmas all, hope you’re having a lovely day.

I shot this quite a few years ago in Finnish Lapland. Quite the most beautiful and peaceful place I have been to so far. This is two images blended, just because it’s impossible to expose the moon and landscape correctly together. No more messing than that really.

Hope you’ve all had a good 2022, and I look forward seeing you in 2023.

As part of the recent refurbishment of the a beautiful new café space has been created by for . I was lucky enough to photograph this as a separate commission to that for the main building.

The space is high, light and now well connected to the exterior space thanks to the architectural scheme by .sulzmann.architects.

Phoenix Wharf have created a fabulous scheme for the fit-out which combines natural and man-made materials, creating a calm and warm space that fits Spicer + Cole's brand perfectly. All complemented by the array of delicious food on offer!

A few details here, following on from the previous posts.

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Yesterday

As part of the recent refurbishment of the a beautiful new café space has been created by for . I was lucky enough to photograph this as a separate commission to that for the main building.

The space is high, light and now well connected to the exterior space thanks to the architectural scheme by .sulzmann.architects.

Phoenix Wharf have created a fabulous scheme for the fit-out which combines natural and man-made materials, creating a calm and warm space that fits Spicer + Cole's brand perfectly. All complemented by the array of delicious food on offer!

# Less

Yesterday

As part of the recent refurbishment of the a beautiful new café space has been created by for . I was lucky enough to photograph this as a separate commission to that for the main building.

The space is high, light and now well connected to the exterior space thanks to the architectural scheme by .sulzmann.architects.

Phoenix Wharf have created a fabulous scheme for the fit-out which combines natural and man-made materials, creating a calm and warm space that fits Spicer + Cole's brand perfectly. All complemented by the array of delicious food on offer!

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Not my usual type of image, but I've been learning to fly my new Drone, and seeing what I can do with it. I bought it to add another tool to my kit to offer my clients - it's meant to be complimentary to my 'normal' photography, but it's also interesting to see what new perspectives it brings out.
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Looking for places to fly, I ended up at Severn Beach at low tide. The shoreline is pretty muddy, and not very attractive. This, however, is a shot looking directly down from the drone's maximum altitude of 120m. Revealing amazing patterns and colours, it could well be a petri-dish rather than a stretch of coastline!
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I'm looking forward to seeing what other new perspectives I'll be able to capture with this amzing device.
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This is the latest in the empire - the new outlet on Gloucester Road, Bristol. Designed by , it's a colourful, sustainable and carefully considered interior that allows the store to work well over a fairly tricky site. It was fun to photograph, and needless to say after an early start, I left with a very tasty vegan almond croissant for my breakfast!
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I'm not really into gear in the way some people are but as a photographer it can enable you to expand your capabilities.
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My 24mm tilt/shift lens had to go to the Nikon hospital recently, leaving me feeling like I'd lost my right arm in photographic terms. It's my go to lens for architecture and interiors. That said, it isn't always wide enough.
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So, I invested in a 15mm Zero D f4.5 lens from . This lens only shifts (but I have hardly ever used the tilt on my Nikon anyway) and is phenominally wide. One has to be careful as things can start to look a little unreal, but in cramped urban contexts, it allows me to capture images I might otherwise be unable to. It's built like a tank, and very nice to use.
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Gear talk over ;-)
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Photography gives me the opportunity to visit some fantastic buildings, some of which are not always seen by the public. This is Lincoln's Inn in London and a detail from the Old Hall. The outside of the building was covered in scaffolding, which created some interesting light conditions inside. Every cloud...

Some internal images from the new DWP office in Treforest, interiors designed by . These are the reception area, which is nicely crafted in timber and stone, complementing the building's exterior well and providing a welcoming arrival space.
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I recently had a commission from Architects to photograph a few projects they had done for the DWP - this one is Treforest, where AHR did the fit out of this building, designed by CWA Architects. I'll post some internal shots later.
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This image is made up of 9 images stitched together, with some manual correction as well. Sometimes you have to get creative to get the shot, and the distance isn't always there to get the shot in one go.
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Last few from by Architects, shot for who supplied their beautiful ironmongery for the project.
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