National Trust food shoot

For several years I have been working with the National Trust Food and Beverage department and their head chef. We have met up at their head quaters in Swindon, Heelis House and over the years photographed every dish they serve in their restaurants around the UK.

The photography has had to be very simple. All the dishes need to be shot at the same angle, exactly the same lighting and focus. All on their prescribed plates and the exact portion size. This then goes into a book that goes into every kitchen in the Trust. Now many years on we have a comprehensive collection that is setting an industry standard for others to follow.

Initially there was some resistance from some of the more experienced kitchens (you can’t teach grandma to suck eggs), but slowly but surely the benefits of a nationwide guide has proven its place on the work surface. For me the photography has always been very restrictive and not allowing for any creativity. But this year they have started to book a creative day too. And here above are some results from our first shoot. Hopefully the Trust will find these very useful going forward. I certainly enjoyed flexing my creative muscles for them.