It would be a great shame if we didn’t have photographic records of the special projects that we work on and we are lucky enough to have the services of talented photographer Trevor Richards. Trevor has been responsible for taking many of the wonderful images that we have at our disposal for use in our brochures, website and marketing. Of course, it isn’t just about the photography itself, there is a vast amount of thought that goes in to the styling of each shoot and our Creative Director Mark Brook takes great pride in the meticulous planning and realisation of this, often sourcing items from the most obscure places. I was lucky enough to spend the day with Trevor and Mark on a photo shoot in Pimlico before Christmas and it opened my eyes as to the amount of work required to get the great results I take for granted.

As designers, we take photos of all of our completed projects, but it isn’t possible to have them all professionally photographed for various reasons. Once we have decided on which projects we want Trevor to work on and the client has given their blessing, the planning can begin. Using the detailed preliminary shots, Mark will work out which dressings will need to be used in conjunction with the client’s own and Trevor can then decide how much of his vast array of kit will likely be required.

The day of the shoot is quite exciting, and feeling like a child in a sweet shop, I found myself desperate to see the results, but before they came, a lot of hard graft was required first though! I for one had certainly not anticipated just how long it would take to unload Trevor’s car! It turns out that for this particular shoot, he had decided to cover every possible eventuality and bring the full complement of kit. I couldn’t but help wonder what all the strange shaped tripods and odd metallic boxes were for, but sure enough, as the day unfolded most of what we brought in was put to use.

My task after the unloading and brief cuppa and chat with the client was to photograph the space as it was, so that all the client’s existing dressings could be put back in exactly the same place at the end of the day, as if we had never been in. This task was made particularly more arduous by the fact that being the festive period, the rooms were full of decorations, including a large tree, which although had been beautifully decorated, needed to be moved out for the shoot! Once everything that needed to be moved from the room had been, Mark could make a start on his styling, with the new props being brought in to the space and arranged with care and consideration. My next task, and one which I had been anticipating and not wholly looking forward to, was to give the glazed doors a good shine up with the E cloth. With a finished furniture height at close to 2.8 metres and a run of glazed top box units, I was up the top of the ladder for a good hour!

Finally, with everything set up and glass and mirror all gleaming, it was time to stand out of the way and let Trevor work his magic.

Andy and Mark are both based at our Chelsea showroom, and if you would like to discuss your project with them then you are welcome to pop in and see them.