Belmont Hotel Interior Photoshoot

Belmont Hotel Leicester Property Interior Photography Shoot

Commercial photographer Leicester

This was a nice enquiry that came in from a friend of mine who has seen a few of my recent shoots where I’d photographed some commercial places (Miele Stores and Everyone Active Leisure Centres).

I set up an in person meeting with the general manager Robert where he shows me around the two function rooms which were still in a state of refurbishment. I’ve known these rooms for about the last 8yrs as I’ve photographed many a function in them! They were looking a little tired and dated to be fair!

We pencilled in two dates for me to go in and photograph the rooms, one ahead of schedule and one a safe time after the refurbishment would be complete. Luckily the first date was used as all the contractors were ahead of time. And the rooms look amazing!

A local venue stylist was tasked with dressing the room, and she did an amazing job. I shot the main big room first, then the smaller room. While in the small room the bigger room was being turned around from a wedding venue to a business conference type of space… this happed three times so we could capture the room in every way possible. 

It’s been great to see the images shared on all of their social media channels, take a look at a few of them below.

Personal Branding Photography - Environmental Portraits

Personal Branding Storytelling Photographer Leicester

Lifestyle & Environmental Portraits

1 year ago I photographed Lauren & Kelly who had recently set up L & K Financial Limited. Both really nice ladies who wanted a couple of headshots and a few shots together for their new website and social media. They had tried another photographer who had sadly got the brief wrong, so I got the call. The brief was text book for me, it was the exact type of headshot I do, even down to the grey background!

On to this year, I get another email saying they have taken on a third member of staff who needed a headshot, but they also wanted some ‘in the office’ types shots as well. You could describe this as a personal branding type shoot as it features the people as they are, showing their fun side.

They found a great location, an estate agents over in Oakham. We were allowed to shoot there for the morning, so we got straight into the team in the office shots. We ventured outside as there was a nice bench area, some brilliant looking black shutters and green area. We also used a couple of area’s inside, the bar being my favourite. Yes, this estate agents have a raised bar area!

Take a look at a few of the shots taken during the morning.

#PersonalbrandingPhotographer #LeicesterBrandingPhotographer #LeicesterPhotographer #EastMidlandsBrandingPhotographer #BirminghamBrandingPhotographer #BirminghamPortraitPhotographer #LeicesterPortraitPhotographer #LeicesterHeadshotPhotographer #HeadshotPhotographer #LeicesterPhotographer #BusinessPhotographer #Corporate#Photographer

Events and Awards Night Photographer Leicester & East Midlands

Events and Awards Night Photographer Leicester & East Midlands

The best event photography for awards nights

September should be know as event and awards night month!

I’ve been ran of my feet with events this month, and i’m going to tell you about two of them.

First being the East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women’s Awards night. This was a very last minute booking for me, literally the day before. Despite having two photoshoots in the day, I said yes to the awards night. I thought it would be fun (it was!) and I might see a few people I know (i did!).

Secondly, It was off to the Hilton Park Lane in Mayfair for the Signature Awards. These are always amazing nights. I share photography duties with Damian, a London photographer. With 450+ guests it’s just too much to capture for one photographer. I arrived early with Dave the video guy, then went for a walk into Central London. Shooting the awards was fairly straight forward for me as i’ve done it for a few years now.

As with most of these events, both required a next day turn around for the edited images. EMC was done when I got home straight after the event, and the Signature Awards was done on the M1 as I was a passenger.

Same day edits!

Here are a few images from both events

When planning an awards night, the focus is on celebrating achievements and creating lasting memories. Hiring an event photographer can significantly enhance the experience and provide benefits that extend well beyond the night itself.

Capture Professional Moments
An event photographer brings expertise in capturing key moments with precision. From award presentations to candid interactions, a professional ensures that every significant event is documented beautifully. This means you won’t miss those spontaneous smiles and heartfelt congratulations.

High-Quality Images
Professional photographers use advanced equipment and techniques to produce high-quality images. These photographs will reflect the atmosphere and emotions of the evening, providing images that are sharply detailed and vibrantly colored. Such quality makes a lasting impression whether for internal reporting, social media sharing, or marketing materials.

Stress Reduction
Planning an event can be overwhelming, and the last thing you want is to worry about photography. By hiring an event photographer, you can focus on enjoying the evening with your guests while knowing that every moment is being captured professionally. This allows you to be fully present during the celebration.

Memorable Marketing Material
The images taken during your awards night can be valuable for future promotions. High-quality photographs can be used in brochures, newsletters, and social media posts, helping to enhance your brand’s image and engage your audience. They serve as a compelling visual record of your company culture and achievements.

Create Lasting Memories
Lastly, a professional photographer not only captures the event for immediate enjoyment but also provides a visual archive of your organization’s milestones. These images can be cherished for years to come, allowing everyone to relive the excitement and honor the accomplishments celebrated during the awards night.

Basically, hiring an event photographer for your awards night is an investment in quality, lasting memories, and stress relief that enhances the overall experience. It’s a decision worth considering for any event that celebrates success.

Website Content Shoot Leicester & East Midlands

Website Content Shoot Leicester & East Midlands

Bespoke Images for Businesses in Leicester

There is nothing worse than seeing a great business fill their website with stock images. You know the type of thing, UK law firms using obvious American people in American office spaces..

Normally the reason for this is the company has no images of their own to use, and the web designer needs content to build out the website.

Did you know I have a simple half day rate of £450 to get you all the images you need for your business or brands website.

With most websites costing upwards of £1500 (for a good but basic one), or £3000 for high end site. Why would you use stock images that your competitors have already used??

Here are 5 reasons why your should consider bespoke images for your website

1. Brand Identity Enhancement
Custom images help establish a unique brand identity. They reflect your business’s values, personality, and mission, making it easier for consumers to connect with your brand on a deeper level.
2. Improved Engagement
Bespoke images can significantly increase user engagement on your website. High-quality, relevant visuals attract more attention than stock photos, keeping visitors on your site longer and encouraging them to explore your content.
3. Authenticity and Trust
Custom photography showcases real products, services, and team members, fostering authenticity. This transparency builds trust with your audience, as customers are more likely to purchase from brands that present themselves genuinely.
4. SEO Benefits
Unique images can contribute positively to your website's SEO. Optimized alt text and file names for bespoke images can improve search engine visibility, helping to drive organic traffic to your site.
5. Competitive Advantage
In a crowded market, bespoke images can set your business apart from competitors who rely on generic stock images. Customised visuals make your website memorable and can be a crucial factor for potential customers when making a decision.

Below are a few images I shot recently for a DPF cleaning company here in Leicester. Their web designer asked them to get in touch with me to shoot 60 images to be used across the whole site and various planned social media campaign’s.

#WebsitePhotoshoot #BusinessPhotographyLeicester #Leicester #Photographer #LeicesterPhotographer #Brandingphotoshoot #websiteContent #WebsiteImages #BespokeImagesLeicester #ContentShoot #LeicesterBusinessPhotographer #WebDesigner

Dental Practise Photography

Headshots & Branding photography for Dental Practice

An interesting enquiry this one which came directly from my website, Quorn Dental Practice.

These guys wanted a full set of headshots, natural style and some environmental portrait shots around the practise. I arrived on one of the hottest days of the year and get set up in the waiting room. There was a nice off white wall which was perfect for the headshot backgrounds. We then devised a little plan on which people were going to be in the environmental portraits, some members of the team donned normal clothes (to represent the general public) and others kept their uniforms on. We then worked through most rooms of this fantastic practise to get the desired shots.

Take a look at a few of the images from the shoot.

Branding photography is essential because it visually communicates your brand's identity, values, and message to your audience. High-quality images create a strong first impression, foster brand recognition, and differentiate you from competitors. These compelling visuals can be utilized across various platforms, enhancing your marketing efforts and engaging potential customers. Ultimately, effective branding photography helps build trust and emotional connections, making it a crucial investment for any business looking to establish a memorable presence.

#LeicesterPhotographer #HeadshotPhotographer #BrandingPhotographer #EastmidlandsPhotographer #CoventryPhotographer #nottinghamphotographer #DerbyPhotographer #PortraitPhotographer

Young People Work Experience Photography Leicestershire

Young People Work Experience Photography Leicestershire

Location photography in the workplace, environmental portraits

One of my first ever clients was LEBC (Leicester Education Business Company) I was tasked to shoot their National Citizen Service awards ceremony at Athena Leicester. It was a great evening, over two nights as there were so many young people receiving awards. It was at this time that I also swapped camera brands from Canon to Sony. My assistant was using Sony and when I edited his photos a few days later I knew I just had to swap brands, this was summer 2018. Canon have now caught up I believe, but I’m firmly in camp Sony!

Anyway, back to summer 2024. I had the call to photograph various young people on work experience. I did this 2 years ago and it was a fun day! This year is was split over two days due to the amount of young people in placements.

Over the two days I visited a Florist, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, an engineering factory, Belgrave Hall and Gardens, a gym, a building society, my friend Rob Spence at Paragon Sales Solutions and a few more.

All of the young people were very engaged and enthusiastic about their placements, it was great to witness. Photographing this was pure joy, and I loved hearing about their individual journeys and aspirations. 

I shot this very simply, one camera (Sony A7 IV), one lens (Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4) and the occasional on camera flash (Godox V1).

The Corporate Headshot, or Business Portrait

The Corporate Headshot, or Business Portrait

Pete Martin specialist Leicester Headshot & Portrait Photographer

While I do enjoy all aspects of the areas of photography I work in (events, drone, web content and headshots) the Corporate Headshot or Business Portrait will always hold something special for me.

The excitement when I get an enquiry for this service is pretty unmatched. I know when I get that person in front of my camera i’m going to learn about that person, I get to hear about the journey, their struggles and successes. I almost get to take something away from that person.

Most of the time, people don’t like having their photo taken, especially in the close up situation of a Headshot.

It’s my job to put that person at ease and get them the photo they want, desire or require. Maybe it’s just for LinkedIn, it could be for their new book. Maybe an album cover, possibly going on their companies website.. Have they been chosen to speak at a conference and require their headshot to be sent out to all delegates and even displayed on the screens at the side of the stage. It could be that the person has written an article for a business magazine and they need a photo to accompany it, showing the face of the person who wrote it.

All of the above situations require something slightly different, and every person is unique.

This is where I shine. My personal skills are something I get as many comments on as my photography skills.

Take a look at a few recent headshot/portrait examples as of July 2024

#LeicesterPortraitPhotographer #LeicesterHeadshotPhotographer #PeteMartinPhotography #LocationHeadshots #HeadshotsEastMidlands #LinkedInProfilePhoto

Everyone Active Gym Fitness Photographer East Midlands

Everyone Active Gym Fitness Photographer Leicester, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Nottingham, Northampton.

PR, Branding & Event Photographer East Midlands

One of my regular clients is Everyone Active, I travel all over country for these guys. It could be a recently acquired and refurbished site, a gym shoot, fun in the pool, or a special event.

This event was two special body pump workout classes with Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges. The centre for this event was Everyone Active in Dunstable, part of community hub. Like with other EA events, it was run perfectly with lots of staff bought in from Leicester and Derby, who I already know. 

Also in attendance was FPV Drone pilot James Singleton, his drone skills are unmatched and a was real inspiration to me to lean more. 

The event started with two instructors on the start with Charlie who played some amazing tunes. Class one quickly led into class two after a 15 min break. 

Following on from Charlie was two body combat classes from the Les Mills team. I have to say these looked insane, and it’s on one hand hard to see why people put themselves through this, but on the other hand I can see how addictive it would become. 

Overall a brilliant morning, with some great shots captured. I edited 50 images onsite and left them with the centre manager. The other 200+ images were edited and delivered Monday morning. On Monday afternoon the design team had already used some of the images in marketing for the centre.

Here are a few screen grabs for the images in place..

And finally, hear are a few of my images from throughout the morning.

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PR & Press Photographer

PR and Press Photographer East Midlands Pete Martin Photography

Leicester, Rugby, Coventry, Hinckley, Nottingham, & Birmingham PR & Press Photographer

Press shots for David Wilson Homes Bears,  Mather Jamie, & Westbridge (WBR) Group

Occasionally I get asked to cover a very short event, press style. These events are typically 15-20 mins and only a handfullof shots are delivered to the client.. edited and delivered straight after the shoot as well.

Mather Jamie needed two shots for local press about the recent New Lubbesthorpe development in Leicestershire. I popped along when the director was on a site visit, got the shots, edited and delivered in 15 mins. These photos went out on internal communications and also the local printed press.

Next up was a shot event for David Wilson Homes, and their new development near Nottingham. It was an open day for the newly finished school. I was there for around 30 mins, then had 20 images edited and delivered before I left the site.

Westbridge were a company i’d worked with before, their PR company from Nottingham asked if I could attend their event and capture a few press shots. As i[‘d worked with them before, and they offered to feed me I stayed a little longer than the 40 mins I’d scheduled.

The PR company needed the photos on Monday morning, the event was a Thursday.. I decided to take my new high powered MacBook Pro and do the edits whilst I had food when the schooling had finished. The PR company seemed quite impressed when 80 edited photos were delivered on the same night! They chose the shot to be used for the press release, but there was a problem with it. The shot was an outdoor one featuring the main team and Hoggy and his branded gazebo.. unfortunately there is a disabled sign painted on the road visible in the shot, the request was to take it out in photoshop. No problem, but when I do that kind of editing I ace a graphical pen and tablet interface or a mouse… all I had was the trackpad on the MacBook Pro! 

It was a quick and dirty edit, but looks ok! (From now on my mouse is coming everywhere with me!)

Do you need quality PR and Press style photos?

Get in touch now

Leicester, Nottingham, Coventry, Birmingham Event Photography

Leicester, Coventry, Nottingham, Birmingham Event Photographer

Furnley House Foundation & Kazzoo IT Event Photography Leicester

If there is one type of Photography job I could only do for the rest of too my life it would be Event Photography. 

I love the variation of each event, and each one is totally unique, even if it’s the same company!

Chris Cain is a good friend of mine, and he owns and runs Kazzoo IT. Chris is also an amazing fundraiser for many local charities. I’ve personally climbed Scarfell Pike and Ben Nevis with Chris over the last two years for some amazing charities. 

Kazzoo IT was turning 21 years old, so it was only right there was a party.. or summer ball more like!

The event took place at Winstanley House… there was a mirror lady, champagne reception, Kazzoo brand coloured ballon wall,  an amazing auction… and Sam Bailey serenading us at the end. 

Take a look at a few of the shots, 

Next up was the Furnley House Foundation’s summer ball. Furnley House is a truly brilliant company, B-Corp status in fact. The foundation was set up to help local charities and communities, and boy have they helped!

At their summer ball, over £30,000 was raised for the specially selected three charities. Steps, Focus & Heartwise. 

A few mentions, Charlotte Miles from Cross Productions was organising the whole event, as usual it ran faultlessly.. Absolutely contact Cross Productions for your event requirements. 

Hybrid AV did the entire sound and light system, and the place looked amazing. Check out their video wall!

Get in touch for your next event if you want great event photography

HERE ARE 5 EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

1. Capturing Memorable Moments: We professional event photographers are highly skilled at capturing candid and precious moments, ensuring you have a collection of high-quality images to relive the event.

2. Professional Quality: We have the expertise, equipment, and editing skills to deliver professional-grade photos with optimal lighting, composition, and clarity.

3. Focus on Guests: Hiring a professional photographer allows you and your guests to fully enjoy the event without worrying about taking pictures, ensuring everyone is part of the experience.

4. Marketing and Promotion: High-quality event photos can be used for marketing and promotional materials, helping to create buzz for future events or showcase the success of your current one.

5. Comprehensive Coverage: Professional event photographers know how to cover all aspects of your event, from the venue and decor to attendees and key moments, providing a comprehensive visual record.