Portland Avenue Lifestyle is an independent home and garden shop in Glengormley, run by Teresa. She sells a carefully chosen collection of serveware, candles, table linens, soaps, books, garden accessories and plants.
After previously running a bricks-and-mortar shop, Teresa created something new — a retail studio in her own garden. She wanted a collection of photographs to introduce the new space, show how it looks and give people a feel for the experience of visiting.
A shop in the garden
It was a lovely day when I visited Teresa at Portland Avenue Lifestyle. Aand the new studio was beautifully styled and curated.
I photographed the interior of the studio, capturing the different displays and collections of home and garden products, from table linens and candles to soaps, books and garden accessories.
Then outside, I photographed the garden that surrounds the studio, showing how the shop sits within the space and giving a sense of what it is like to visit.
There was something lovely about photographing a shop that had become part of Teresa’s garden. After having a traditional bricks-and-mortar shop, this new space felt much more personal – a carefully considered collection of things for the home and garden, tucked away in a beautiful setting.
Creating a useful collection of images
I took the photographs for use in Portland Avenue Lifestyle’s website and social media. This gave Teresa a varied collection of images to introduce the new retail studio and share the products and space with potential customers.
For an independent business, photographs can do more than show what you sell. They can give people a sense of the place itself. They show how it feels, what they might discover there and the thought that has gone into creating it.
For me, the best brand photography is about noticing those things. The setting, the details, the way products are displayed and the small touches that make a business feel personal and real.
Have a story to tell ?
If you’re looking for photographs that capture the place, products and details behind your business, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.