Commercial building photography

This latest post describes a commercial photography assignment that is different to the norm for me.  For a start, there were no commercial portraits!  And secondly, it ran over a long timespan.  From start to finish, this project lasted over a year.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys planned to demolish an old, dilapidated Art Room and replace it with a double storey building that would house a new Art Room and Food Technology classroom as well. I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in following the development of the build, from demolition of the existing building, through the construction and handover of the new one, finishing with images of the new classrooms in use.

I have photographed a lot of buildings.  As a wedding photographer I have taken images of beautiful stately homes, country houses and modern hotels.  Some of my past commercial clients include the building company St Modwen and the Midland Hotel after a multi-million pound refurbishment.  But this would be something different.  I'd never photographed a building being destroyed before.  There was also the time issue.  I would see this project at different times of year, in different weather and light conditions.  It was going to be an interesting challenge.

Here is the existing building.  Oh, did I mention the tight space it fitted into?

And then ....... it was gone!

Then the concrete base was poured and the new building began to take shape.

Already it looked so different.  But then the scaffolding was put up and the hard work really began!

And then there were recognisable rooms.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the finish article, in all its glory, and in use:

What a transformation eh?  

It was a great project to track.  I'd like to thank the Head, Mr Tim Gartside, for asking me to photograph the project for him.  I enjoyed every minute of it - even in the depths of a freezing winter, in a building with no windows and no heating!

If you'd like to discuss a commercial photography assignment you might like me to cover, I can be contacted at info@martinhambleton.com or please call the studio on 01565 777186.

Commercial portrait photography on location

Commercial portraits, as I said in my last post, lie at the heart of my photography.  In the studio, on location, at your office, on the factory floor - I've photographed people in all kinds of places, doing all kinds of things.  But every portrait has one thing in common.  I'm making the subject look their best!

Triplar Limited are a shopfitting company in the West Midlands.  They work for some companies you may well have heard of, like Levi's, Nokia and Nike.  They win awards for their work, and they work all over the globe.   Their MD, Tim Rodwell, saw some of my work and invited me to spend a day at the company.  They were revamping their website and wanted some portraits of the staff, both in the office and on the factory floor, and some 'lifestyle' coverage of what went on in the business.

They were, in many ways, the perfect client.  I was shown around, introduced to people, and then allowed to move around photographing whatever caught my eye.  The brief for the portraits was that they were to be 'environmental', that is to show people at work, rather than in the studio, and doing typical things they might do during the working day.  There was also some talk of using (whisper it!) black and white images on the new website.

The beauty of photographing people in this way, from a business perspective, is that they aren't distracted from work to go and pose in a studio or a setup location.  In fact, they are encouraged to get on with their work, and my job is to record them doing it! 

A factory floor is a great place for a photographer.  Fantastic machines, marvellous shapes, symmetry, order and chaos all in one place!

Shots like these will be used on a website, in a brochure, on advertisements, flyers and so on to give a flavour of the company.  

If you're interested in getting some photographs of your business done, whether portraits, or some more general images, please contact me to discuss your requirements.  I can be phoned on 01565 777186 or emailed at info@martinhambleton.com

Martin Hambleton Commercial Photography

When I began Martin Hambleton Photography eight years ago I decided to build the business on people photography.  Quickly, that meant that I spent most of my time photographing weddings and portraits of individuals, couples and families.  Working with people is what I do best, and enjoy.

But I've been asked to do an increasing amount of commercial photography over the years, so just before New Year I took the decision to set up a separate commercial photography business, to run alongside the work I currently do.

The result is Martin Hambleton Commercial Photography.  Okay, not the snappiest name going, but it tells you what you need to know doesn't it?

On the website, you'll see that people still form the basis of the commercial work I undertake.  Portraits, events and promotions occupy a lot of my time on commercial assignments.  Although I'm doing an increasing amount of work shooting product, buildings and interiors too.

My other website will contain examples of my wedding and portrait work only, while all commercial photography and information will be contained in www.commercialphotographynorthwest.co.uk.  Similarly, if you enjoy reading about my wedding and portrait work on my blog, this will now move to www.martinhambleton.wordpress.com, while this blog will become dedicated to my commercial work.

I'll end by giving a mention to David Bellin of Software Assistance, who designed and built the site for me.   Thanks David!