Showcasing The Wood Norton Hotel – Light, Welcoming & Full of Character
I recently had the pleasure of working with the stunning Wood Norton Hotel, a beautiful location nestled in the Worcestershire countryside. The hotel reached out to me with a clear brief: to refresh their bar, bedroom, and restaurant photography and breathe some light, warmth, and life into their marketing imagery. Their existing shots felt a little dark and didn’t quite convey the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere the venue truly offers – and that’s exactly what we set out to change.
A Fresh Perspective with People-Centred Imagery
One of my key recommendations for the shoot was to incorporate a human element into the photographs. Adding real people enjoying the space helps potential guests imagine themselves there – whether that’s catching up with friends over a glass of wine, relaxing with a magazine in a cosy corner, or soaking up the ambience in the bar. These subtle lifestyle inclusions make a huge difference in how inviting a venue feels through imagery.
Lighting with Intention
Technically, this shoot was all about versatility. Every space in the hotel required a slightly different lighting approach depending on the desired mood, layout, and natural light availability. I used a blend of four lighting techniques:
Natural light to highlight the airiness and elegance of the interiors.
Continuous lighting to subtly lift shadowy corners and maintain a soft, consistent tone.
Flash lighting to inject vibrancy and definition where needed.
HDR techniques to balance exposure and ensure every detail from the highlights to the shadows came through clearly.
This multi-layered approach allowed me to stay true to the hotel’s aesthetic while delivering crisp, inviting images.
Creating Visual Atmosphere
The bar area, with its quirky fish-themed wallpaper and vibrant velvet seating, needed to feel both stylish and relaxed. I leaned into the colour and texture of the space while ensuring the lighting stayed light and modern. The restaurant was about warmth and togetherness, captured beautifully with people enjoying food and drink. And the lounge areas, full of natural charm, came alive with thoughtful lighting and relaxed posing.
Working on this shoot was a perfect example of how commercial photography can elevate a brand’s image and align it with the guest experience they offer. The Wood Norton is a gem, and now, their photography reflects that too.
