September was one of my busiest months so far. In four weeks, I photographed a gym, two interior and furniture shoots, a restaurant menu and a professional headshot, and spent time at an industry show.

I like sharing the process behind the pictures. If you're a business owner thinking about hiring a photographer in Northamptonshire, it helps to know what happens on a shoot and what makes the difference between a photo that's fine and one that works for your business. Here's how the month went.

Nuffield gym: making a big, busy space work

A gym is a tricky place to photograph. The space is large and the equipment is repetitive. It's also a working environment, so the aim is to show it looking clean, inviting and full of energy without getting in the way of the people using it.

Light and composition do most of the work. I looked for angles that lead the eye through the space, used the natural and existing light where it helped, and chose moments that showed the equipment and layout at their best.

A gym is a tricky place to photograph. The space is large, the equipment is repetitive, and it's usually full of people. To show it looking clean, calm and inviting, the best time to shoot is when nobody is using it.
So, this shoot started at 6am. With the gym silent and empty, I could photograph the whole space without equipment in use or people in the frame, which gives a much cleaner, more professional result.
The early start had another advantage. The sunrise came through the windows, and its warm colours complemented the gym interior and equipment. That kind of natural light is hard to plan for, and it added depth and atmosphere that I couldn't have created with lighting alone.
Light and composition did the rest. I looked for angles that lead the eye through the space and used the sunrise to highlight the equipment and layout at their best.

For any leisure or wellness business, images like this matter. They're often the first thing a potential member sees on a website or social page.

Meridian: interiors and furniture

I had two shoots with Meridian interior and furniture, and they called for slightly different approaches.

The interior shoot was about the whole room: how the space feels, how the light falls, and how the furniture and styling work together. Small details such as a cushion, a lamp or a clear surface can make a big difference to the finished image.
The furniture shoot was more focused. Here the pieces themselves are the subject, so I concentrated on texture, finish, shape and detail, showing what makes each item worth buying.

Together, the two types of images give a business a full set: the wider scene that sells the lifestyle and the close-up that sells the product.

Kerala Hut: real dishes, real tables

Food photography must make people hungry, and the most convincing images show the food as it really is.

For Kerala Hut, the restaurant provided a set list of dishes for me to photograph. Rather than build a studio set, we shot them on the restaurant's own tables, with the restaurant in the background. That way the images show the atmosphere customers will walk into, not a made-up scene.

The lighting came from the natural light through the window. It gave the dishes a soft, fresh look and brought out the colours and textures without the harshness of artificial light.

Some of the dishes were served on green leaves, which is how the restaurant presents them. It's a lovely touch that suits the style of food they sell, and it made the colours of the dishes stand out even more. My job was to photograph that presentation faithfully, using angle and composition to make each dish look as good as it tastes.

For restaurants, images like these are useful in many places: menus, websites, delivery apps, Google profiles and social media. They matter most in the run-up to Christmas, when everyone is planning their bookings.

The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show

I also spent time at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show in September. It was a large expo, with several shows running as you walked through the hall, and a good way to see what's on venues' minds.

I enjoyed the chef demonstrations and talking with exhibitors. The show asked visitors not to promote their own businesses to exhibitors, so I went as a visitor to listen and learn and took photos as I walked round.

One thing that stood out was all the amazing talks, discussion and demonstration. Whatever the trend, venues need strong photography to show what they offer, and that will only matter more heading into the busy winter season.

Mark Spence: a relaxed headshot session

Most people don't enjoy having their photo taken, and that's fine. The best headshots come from a relaxed session where you feel comfortable enough for your natural expression to show.

With Mark, we kept things simple: a friendly chat, a few quick adjustments and then the shots. Mark is a returning client and this time we had the opportunity to shoot he headshots at the Icon Centre in Daventry, which showcased Mark in a new area, along with his new look since our shoot three years ago. The result is a professional headshot he can use on LinkedIn; his website and anywhere else people meet him online.

If your profile photo is out of date, my LinkedIn Essential headshot offer, with Marianne Avery is a quick, easy way to fix that. By attending the workshop, you learn more about LinkedIn, profile and posting.

What's coming in October

October is looking busy too:

Trade shows: I'm planning to attend the Independent Hotel Show in London on [5th / 6th October]. If you'll be there, say hello.
More content: I'll be posting behind-the-scenes shoots and tips on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, plus more blog posts on preparing your space for interior photography, LinkedIn headshots and photographing your Christmas menu.
Refresh Before Christmas: a limited time offer for restaurants, venues, property businesses and professionals who want fresh photography before the festive rush.

Book an October slot

If your website, menu, space or profile photo needs updating before Christmas, now is the time to book. I'm taking a limited number of bookings through my Refresh Before Christmas offer.

Get in touch to book your October slot| sampeel@wellypictures.com| 07908226845

September behind the lens: A month of Gyms, Furniture and Food