Given that we’ve worked with Paul Craig – the photographer who captures all our projects – since the very early days of Wells and Maguire, we thought we’d mix things up this month and share a little behind-the-scenes insight into what really goes into a shoot day. Why? Because, first and foremost, we absolutely love doing them! But also because every image you see on our website and across our social media involves far more planning and consideration than you might imagine.
So much so, in fact, that it caught us off guard in those early days…
Discovering Paul’s Work…
We first came across Paul’s photography on Instagram back in 2018 and instantly recognised that he was in a different league. So when it came to capturing our very first project in 2019 – a show home in Richmond – we knew we wanted to work with him.
That said, in hindsight, it’s fair to admit we weren’t quite prepared for just how meticulous his process would be. Prior to Wells and Maguire, we’d been more accustomed to the kind of photography you’d typically associate with estate agents: wide-angle lenses, every light on, and in and out in a couple of hours.
You know the type..!
When we realised how much thought Paul puts into every single shot, it became clear that we’d need to raise our game too.
The Process…
While our imagery might feel relaxed and effortless, every photo is, in fact, impeccably styled and curated. So much so that setting up a single shot can take up to 30 minutes – and shoot days often span a full day, sometimes two.
From the very start, Paul has guided us through everything – from accessory placement to which props to bring (often items we’d never have thought to include). He’s even been known to pause mid-shoot to turn a vase by a fraction of a degree so that we can “see the face of the flowers!” His eye for detail is second to none.
As a result, we now turn up to shoots with cars packed full of vases, flowers, books, cushions, trinkets, and ornaments – just in case Paul envisions something specific. We’ve learnt it’s better to have everything on hand than not quite enough.
Protecting Privacy…
Out of respect for our clients, we’ve also developed a trusted routine to ensure their privacy is protected. Unlike show home projects, private homes naturally include personal touches – from family photos to sentimental accessories. On shoot days, we temporarily replace these with our ‘shoot day’ styling items, and we’ll often photoshop generic black and white artwork over gallery walls where personal imagery might otherwise be.
In fact, during a recent shoot in Penarth, I (Danielle) found myself on the floor cutting black and white photos out of a magazine to slot into photo frames. Naturally, this sparked a lively debate between Emily, Paul, and me over what constitutes ‘appropriate’ photography. (Let’s just say Black+White Photography Magazine had options ranging from majestic mountains to naked ladies’ bums. Suffice to say, we went with the mountains!)
We also photograph every room from all angles before we begin styling, so that we can return everything exactly as we found it. And, as a lovely finishing touch, we always send the final imagery to our clients as a keepsake/ thank you for letting us photograph their home.
The (Unglamorous) Reality of Shoot Days…
Despite how the finished photos look, our shoot days are anything but glamorous! We tend to take it in turns leading the styling of each space, while the other rummages around in boxes trying to find the right cushion or book. Lunch is usually grabbed en route from the nearest petrol station. Ham & cheese sandwiches, bbq hula hoops and fizzy water are the usual go-to selections for us and its a quick bite to eat before we get back to it.
Often on a shoot we’re often found just out of shot, holding up one of Paul’s enormous light diffusers. (In fact, Emily recently stood on a gas canister outside a bathroom window for a solid 20 minutes while Paul captured the perfect interior shot. It was only when we heard a little voice saying, “Can I come down now?” that we remembered she was still out there and relieved her of her duties!)
Final Thoughts…
Put simply, our shoot days are far from a quick ‘in-and-out’ job. Thanks to Paul, they’re thoughtfully curated, always full of laughter, and genuinely some of our favourite days in the diary.
Even if we do get (politely) bossed around from time to time – and yes, he has been known to tell us off for chatting too much!
When we look back on those early shoots – when we were very much learning on the job – it’s clear how far we’ve come. These days, the three of us have found our rhythm, everything runs smoothly, and the results speak for themselves. It’s a pleasure to work alongside Paul, we’ve learnt so much from him, and we feel incredibly lucky to have him on board.
