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Corporate Brand Photography for Alchemy Virtual Assistance | Pete Martin Photography

Pete Martin Photography captured a new franchisee signing and brand photography for Alchemy Virtual Assistance at Berryfields Barn, including lifestyle images and professional headshots.

Corporate Brand Photography for Alchemy Virtual Assistance at Berryfields Barn

Suzy Sanders welcoming Alchemy Virtual Assistance’s newest franchisee at Berryfields Barn following the franchise signing

Suzy Sanders welcoming Alchemy Virtual Assistance’s newest franchisee at Berryfields Barn following the franchise signing

Building a recognisable and trustworthy brand isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s created through consistency, personality and professional imagery that tells the story behind a business.

Last Friday I headed over to Berryfields Barn to meet up with my good friend Suzy Sanders from Alchemy Virtual Assistance. We’ve worked together regularly since 2022, and this was our fifth shoot together. Every session has helped build a growing library of photography that supports both the Alchemy VA brand and its continued expansion.

The occasion this time was the signing of a brand new franchisee, marking another exciting milestone for the business.

After everyone had enjoyed lunch, we made full use of the beautiful surroundings at Berryfields Barn to create a collection of relaxed, professional photographs. Rather than relying on a single backdrop, we moved around the venue to produce a variety of images for the Alchemy Virtual Assistance website, social media and future marketing campaigns.

A key part of the session was creating content that the new franchisee can begin using as she launches and grows her own business under the Alchemy Virtual Assistance brand. Having a bank of professional images ready from day one helps create a polished first impression across LinkedIn, websites, social media and other marketing materials.

Professional corporate headshot of a new Alchemy Virtual Assistance franchisee for the company Meet the Team page

Professional corporate headshot of a new Alchemy Virtual Assistance franchisee for the company Meet the Team page

Alongside the lifestyle branding photographs, I also captured a series of professional headshots for the Meet the Family section of the Alchemy Virtual Assistance website. Consistent headshots help reinforce the professionalism of a growing business while making it easier for potential clients to connect with the people behind the brand.

One of the benefits of working with clients over several years is developing a visual style that evolves alongside the business. Every shoot adds fresh content while maintaining consistency across existing marketing materials, ensuring the brand continues to look current and authentic.

Whether it’s documenting company milestones, welcoming new team members, launching a franchise, or refreshing website photography, investing in professional commercial photography provides businesses with a valuable library of content that can be used for months to come.

If your business is expanding or your team needs updated photography, I’d be happy to help create images that reflect your brand and the people behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should franchises invest in professional photography?

Professional photography creates consistency across the brand while giving each franchisee high-quality marketing material they can use on websites, LinkedIn and social media from the start.

What is included in a branding photography session?

Sessions typically include environmental portraits, candid working images, team interactions, lifestyle branding photographs and professional headshots for websites and marketing.

Can you photograph new team members as businesses grow?

Absolutely. Many of my clients book regular sessions throughout the year as their businesses expand, ensuring their photography stays up to date.

Where do you carry out branding photography?

I work across Leicester, Northampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, London and throughout the UK, using client offices, event venues and carefully chosen locations that complement the brand.

Suzy Sanders from Alchemy Virtual Assistance during a professional branding photography session at Berryfields Barn

Suzy Sanders from Alchemy Virtual Assistance during a professional branding photography session at Berryfields Barn

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Corporate Headshots for Measom Dryline Across Leicester and London

Corporate Headshots for Measom Dryline Across Leicester and London

Portable corporate photography studio setup for professional business headshots on client premises.

Portable corporate photography studio setup for professional business headshots on client premises.

When your business is growing, keeping your team photography consistent across multiple offices is just as important as maintaining your brand identity. That’s exactly why Measom Dryline invited me back to photograph another round of professional corporate headshots for their expanding team.

Having previously photographed their staff during a series of sessions last March, I was delighted to return for another two-day project, this time photographing employees in both their Leicester headquarters and London office.

Over the course of two half-day sessions, around 80 members of staff received fresh, professional business headshots ready for their website, internal communications and marketing materials.

Consistency Across Multiple Offices

One of the biggest challenges for businesses with multiple locations is ensuring every employee looks like they’re part of the same organisation, regardless of where they’re based.

For Measom Dryline, the brief was simple:

  • Consistent lighting

  • Matching backgrounds

  • Relaxed, approachable portraits

  • Fast workflow

  • Same-day edited images

Using the same lighting setup and shooting style across both offices meant every image looked uniform, helping create a professional and cohesive Meet the Team page.

Leicester Office Photography

The first session took place at Measom Dryline’s Leicester office.

In just a couple of hours, staff members were photographed individually while continuing with their normal working day. By keeping the process organised and efficient, disruption to the business was kept to a minimum.

Each person received gentle posing guidance to ensure their photographs looked natural, confident and approachable.

Corporate headshot session at Measom Dryline’s Leicester office photographed by Pete Martin Photography.

Corporate headshot session at Measom Dryline’s Leicester office photographed by Pete Martin Photography.

London Office Headshots

The following day I travelled to Measom Dryline’s London office where the same mobile studio setup was recreated.

This consistency is particularly important for businesses operating across multiple locations, allowing customers to experience one unified brand whether they’re viewing employees in Leicester or London.

Despite photographing around 80 people across the two sessions, every individual received time and direction to help them feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Professional business headshots being photographed at Measom Dryline’s London office.

Professional business headshots being photographed at Measom Dryline’s London office.

A Fully Mobile Headshot Studio
Every session is photographed using a portable studio setup that can be installed in a meeting room, reception area or quiet office space. This allows me to create consistent, professional lighting at every location, whether I’m photographing a handful of employees or an entire company across multiple offices.

Behind the scenes of a mobile corporate headshot studio setup during a staff photography session at Measom Dryline's office.

Behind the scenes of a mobile corporate headshot studio setup during a staff photography session at Measom Dryline's office.

Same-Day Edited Images

A key requirement for this project was the delivery of edited images on the very same day.

Many businesses need new starters added to their website quickly or have marketing deadlines approaching. By editing and delivering photographs immediately after each session, Measom Dryline were able to begin updating their website without delay.

Fast turnaround is something many of my corporate clients value, particularly when photographing larger teams.

Professional Headshots That Strengthen Your Brand

Professional headshots are often one of the first impressions a potential client has of your business.

Consistent photography helps:

  • Build trust

  • Humanise your business

  • Improve your website

  • Support recruitment

  • Enhance LinkedIn profiles

  • Create stronger marketing materials

Whether you’re photographing ten employees or several hundred across multiple offices, maintaining consistency makes a significant difference.

Looking for Corporate Headshots?

I regularly photograph businesses across Leicester, London and throughout the UK, providing professional on-location headshots with minimal disruption to your working day.

Whether you need photography for a handful of employees, a complete company refresh or ongoing sessions for new starters, I can bring a fully mobile studio to your office and create professional portraits that fit seamlessly with your existing branding.

If your business needs consistent corporate headshots across multiple offices, I’d love to help.

Professional Meet the Team headshots created for Measom Dryline employees across Leicester and London.

Professional Meet the Team headshots created for Measom Dryline employees across Leicester and London.

FAQs

How long does a corporate headshot session take?

Most corporate headshot sessions take between two and three hours, depending on the number of employees being photographed. I work efficiently to minimise disruption to your business.

Can you photograph staff across multiple office locations?

Yes. I regularly travel to offices across Leicester, London and throughout the UK, recreating the same lighting setup so every headshot remains consistent.

Do you provide same-day edited headshots?

Yes. Where required, I can provide professionally edited images on the same day, helping businesses update websites, LinkedIn profiles and marketing materials quickly.

Do employees need experience in front of the camera?

Not at all. Most people tell me they dislike having their photograph taken. I guide everyone through simple posing and expressions to create relaxed, natural-looking portraits.

Can you match existing company headshots?

Absolutely. Returning clients often ask me to match previous photography for new starters or growing teams, ensuring complete consistency across their website.

Where do you provide corporate headshots?

I’m based in Leicester but regularly photograph businesses across the Midlands, London and throughout the UK.

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Jewellery Shop Photography for a Northampton Family Jeweller

Commercial Photography for St Gyles Jewellers, Northampton

Customer receiving personalised jewellery advice at St Gyles Jewellers in Northampton

Customer receiving personalised jewellery advice at St Gyles Jewellers in Northampton

When a family-owned jeweller in Northampton approached me to create a fresh set of images for their new website, the brief was clear: they wanted photographs that reflected the personality, expertise and trust that have helped build their reputation.

Rather than creating formal corporate portraits against plain studio backgrounds, we chose to photograph the team within their own environment. The jewellery shop itself became part of the story, helping visitors immediately connect faces with the business and creating a much warmer, more authentic impression.

Why Professional Photography Matters for Jewellery Businesses

For independent jewellers, trust is everything. Customers are often purchasing engagement rings, wedding jewellery, family gifts or heirloom pieces. They want to know who they’re dealing with before they step through the door.

Professional website photography helps businesses:

  • Build credibility and trust.

  • Showcase expertise and craftsmanship.

  • Create a more personal customer experience.

  • Improve website engagement and conversion rates.

  • Differentiate from larger chain retailers.

Authentic photography allows potential customers to see the people behind the business and feel more confident about making contact.

Owner of family-run Northampton jewellers standing inside the jewellery showroom during a professional branding photography session.

Owner of family-run Northampton jewellers standing inside the jewellery showroom during a professional branding photography session.

Environmental Headshots That Feel Personal

For the team portraits, we created environmental headshots using the jewellery displays and shop interior as backgrounds. This approach keeps the images professional while maintaining the personality of the business.

Environmental portraits help customers put faces to names and reinforce the message that this is a genuine family business, not a faceless organisation.

These images are ideal for:

  • About Us pages

  • Meet The Team sections

  • Google Business Profiles

  • Social media content

  • Press and PR opportunities

Professional headshot of jewellery consultant inside Northampton jewellery shop with display cabinets in the background.

Professional headshot of jewellery consultant inside Northampton jewellery shop with display cabinets in the background.

Capturing Genuine Customer Interactions

One of the most important parts of the shoot was documenting real customer interactions.

Photographs showing conversations, consultations and advice help potential customers understand what it’s like to visit the store. They demonstrate the personal service that independent jewellers are known for and provide valuable visual storytelling throughout the website.

These images help answer common customer questions such as:

Customer receiving personalised jewellery advice from a family-owned Northampton jeweller.

Customer receiving personalised jewellery advice from a family-owned Northampton jeweller.

What is it like to visit an independent jeweller?

Customers can expect a personalised experience with expert guidance, individual attention and a relaxed environment where they can discuss jewellery purchases, repairs and bespoke commissions.

Why use professional photography instead of stock images?

Authentic photography builds significantly more trust because visitors can see the actual people, premises and services behind the business. This creates a stronger connection than generic stock photography.

Showcasing Jewellery Repair Expertise

The final part of the project focused on the workshop and repair side of the business.

Many jewellery businesses offer highly skilled repair services, yet these are often hidden behind the scenes. Photographing craftsmen at work helps demonstrate expertise, precision and attention to detail.

Images of repairs and workshop processes provide powerful evidence of the skills involved and reassure customers that their treasured items are in safe hands.

Skilled jeweller carrying out jewellery repairs in a Northampton workshop, showcasing craftsmanship and expertise.

Skilled jeweller carrying out jewellery repairs in a Northampton workshop, showcasing craftsmanship and expertise.

Photography That Supports Business Growth

Modern websites need more than product photography. Customers increasingly want to see the people, processes and personality behind a business before making contact.

By combining professional headshots, customer interaction photography and behind-the-scenes workshop imagery, this Northampton jewellery business now has a comprehensive image library that reflects its values and expertise.

If you’re an independent retailer, jeweller or family-run business looking to refresh your website imagery, professional commercial photography can help you tell your story, build trust and create a stronger connection with your customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of photography is best for jewellery websites?

A combination of team headshots, customer interaction photography, workshop images and product photography provides the most complete picture of the business.

Do jewellers need professional staff headshots?

Yes. Professional headshots help customers connect with the team and build trust before visiting the store.

What are environmental headshots?

Environmental headshots are portraits taken within a person’s workplace rather than against a plain studio background. They provide context and help tell the story of the business.

Can commercial photography improve website performance?

Professional photography can increase engagement, improve trust signals and encourage more enquiries by helping customers feel confident in the business.

Who photographed St Gyles Jewellers in Northampton?

St Gyles Jewellers commissioned professional commercial photography to create authentic website imagery, including staff portraits, customer service photography and jewellery repair workshop photography. The project focused on helping customers connect with the people, expertise and values behind this long-established Northampton jeweller.

Why use environmental headshots for a jewellery business?

Environmental headshots place team members within their workplace rather than against a plain background. For jewellery businesses, this helps customers see the people behind the brand while reinforcing the professionalism and personality of the showroom environment.

What photography should an independent jeweller have on their website?

Independent jewellers benefit from a combination of team headshots, customer consultation images, workshop photography, jewellery repair photography and product photography. Together, these images create trust and help customers understand the full range of services offered.

Professional Website Photography for Independent Businesses

While this project was created for St Gyles Jewellers in Northampton, the same approach works for many independent businesses looking to refresh their online presence.

Whether you’re a retailer, accountant, solicitor, estate agent or family-run company, customers increasingly want to see the people behind the business before making contact. Authentic photography helps build trust, demonstrate expertise and create a stronger connection with prospective clients.

By combining environmental headshots, workplace photography and genuine customer interactions, businesses can create a website that feels approachable, professional and distinctly different from competitors relying on stock imagery.

As a commercial photographer working across Leicester, Northampton and the wider East Midlands, I regularly help businesses create image libraries that showcase their people, culture and customer experience.

If you’re an independent retailer, professional services firm or family-run business looking to refresh your website imagery, professional commercial photography can help you tell your story, build trust and create a stronger connection with your customers. I work with businesses across Leicester, Northampton and the East Midlands, creating authentic photography that reflects the people behind the brand.

Looking to refresh your website imagery?

I work with businesses across Leicester, Northampton and the East Midlands, creating professional headshots, workplace photography and authentic brand imagery that helps businesses build trust online.

Get in touch to discuss your next photography project.

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Pureseoul Leicester Store Opening Photography at Highcross Shopping Centre

Professional event and retail photography coverage for the new Pureseoul store opening at Highcross Leicester, featuring influencer marketing content, social media coverage, branded retail imagery and launch day storytelling for one of Leicester’s newest beauty retail destinations.

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph the brand-new Pureseoul store opening inside Highcross Leicester — a fast-paced retail launch that blended brand photography, influencer marketing content and live social media storytelling.

Interior of the new Pureseoul store at Highcross Leicester before opening day

Retail interior photography



Interestingly, the team discovered my work through LinkedIn and a previous blog post I created for Miele, which once again shows the long-term value of SEO-driven content and strong commercial photography portfolios.


The first part of the shoot focused on capturing the store before opening. Empty retail spaces are important to photograph properly because they showcase the interior design, branding, product layout and customer experience exactly as intended before the public arrives. These images are ideal for press releases, future marketing campaigns, investor communications and website content.


As the morning progressed, a group of influencers arrived for early access ahead of the public launch. The atmosphere shifted quickly from calm retail photography to energetic lifestyle content creation. Influencers were filming Instagram Reels, TikToks and behind-the-scenes social media content while interacting with products throughout the store.

Influencers testing skincare products during the Pureseoul Leicester store launch event

Content creators filming Instagram Reels and TikTok videos inside Pureseoul Leicester



My role was to document those authentic moments naturally — capturing reactions, conversations, product testing and branded interactions without interrupting the content creation process. Modern retail launches are no longer just about ribbon-cutting ceremonies; they are designed around social-first marketing, influencer engagement and real-time audience interaction.



Today I’m back at the store as it officially opens to the public at 11am, covering the customer launch experience, crowd interaction and overall atmosphere as shoppers experience Pureseoul Leicester for the very first time.



Why Professional Photography Matters for Retail Store Openings



Retail launches move quickly, and businesses only get one chance to capture the excitement of opening day. Professional event photography helps brands create:



  • Website and SEO content

  • Press and PR imagery

  • Social media marketing assets

  • Influencer collaboration content

  • Future advertising material

  • Customer engagement visuals

  • Brand storytelling content



For brands investing heavily into retail experiences, having high-quality imagery from launch day becomes an essential marketing asset long after the event itself has finished.



Influencer Marketing and Retail Photography



One of the biggest changes in commercial photography over the last few years has been the rise of influencer-led retail events. Brands now build launches around creators producing live content for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, often generating thousands of views before stores officially open.



Photographing these events requires a documentary-style approach — balancing candid moments, branded composition and fast-moving social interactions while staying invisible enough for creators to work naturally on camera.



This style of coverage is becoming increasingly important for shopping centres, retail brands, beauty companies and experiential marketing agencies looking to maximise online visibility around launch events.



Event Photography for Leicester Businesses



As a Leicester corporate and event photographer, I regularly work with brands, agencies and businesses creating imagery for websites, marketing campaigns, PR and social media.



From retail launches and corporate events to commercial headshots and branding photography, the goal is always the same: creating professional imagery that reflects the quality of the business behind it.



If your current imagery doesn’t reflect the standard of your brand, it may be time to update it.

Content creators filming Instagram Reels and TikTok videos inside Pureseoul Leicester

Content creators filming Instagram Reels and TikTok videos inside Pureseoul Leicester

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