MANUFACTURING + COMMERCIAL LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR LANCASHIRE MAKERS, AMBLA
MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AMBLA – CAPTURING THE PROCESSES OF A MODERN BRITISH MAKER IN LANCASHIRE. AS PART OF A WIDER REBRAND AND FULL WEBSITE REDESIGN, AMBLA NEEDED FRESH DOCUMENTARY-STYLE MANUFACTURING PHOTOGRAPHY. IT WASN’T JUST ABOUT SHOWCASING THE PRODUCTS, IT WAS ABOUT CAPTURING THE SCALE, HERITAGE, QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE WITH CREATIVE COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY.
CLIENT FEEDBACK ON OUR AMBLA FACTORY PHOTOGRAPHY
"Working with Steve was a fantastic experience. We set out with a clear vision for the project, showcasing our factory's heritage and impressive scale paired with product shots. His meticulous attention to detail brought that vision to life beautifully.
Steve understood exactly what we wanted to capture and delivered imagery that exceeded expectations. I'd highly recommend him for any photography project; his work speaks for itself."
— Tilly, Ambla
THE BRIEF
I realised quite quickly that in order to really tell the Ambla ‘story’ and show what they do would require more than a typical product and process photography approach. Based in Earby, Lancashire, they produce vinyl coated fabrics, but Ambla are a business whose setting and history are just as important as the product. My job was to unite the factory, fabrics and surrounding landscape in a suite of photography to support the rebrand and ongoing marketing.
Ambla are open about the fact that their product is PVC based, but take pride in the increased longevity of their fabrics – lower waste and high performance are some of the qualities that make their material a more sustainable choice. With that in mind, I steered my visual direction away from anything overly bright or synthetic. Instead, looking for authenticity and heritage. The surrounding Lancashire countryside played a key role too.
Part of why I loved the brief was the reference to the heritage and the culture of engineering. Ambla wanted creative commercial photography that demonstrated a true sense of place and purpose and that had a sophisticated outlook while still celebrating their history.
THE PROCESS
A pre-shoot visit was absolutely essential here. The rural location is a big part of the Ambla story, and I wanted to understand that relationship clearly before the shoot day. The factory sits in a beautiful part of rural Lancashire, and from the first visit it was obvious that the surrounding landscape needed to feature in the visual narrative. There was something almost storybook about the location (made me think of Roald Dahl stories). Hills, chimneys, old industrial forms, and on the shoot day itself a layer of winter fog that gave the whole area a whole new level of atmosphere.
Working in collaboration with the client, we built a shoot schedule that followed the processes logically through the site. The flow in the shooting process mattered as I wanted the imagery to have a natural flow as well as to communicate the various stages of production. I think that’s where documentary manufacturing photography gets interesting - when you’re actively looking for visual links between one process and the next and notice all the details that make a product come to life.
A key decision was to not centre the photography on the staff. Instead, I wanted to capture the team as stewards more than as formal subjects – keeping focus on the process and the Ambla story (which we agreed was best told through heroing the impressive interiors, the masses of fabric rolls, and the fascinating vintage German machinery). The wonderful complexity and inherent messiness that comes with that is all part of capturing the reality and essence of industrial production for me.
We deliberately spent extra time in the design studio as lots of product imagery was going to be needed for the new website and wider marketing. I approached these shots in a more experimental and playful way; showcasing the product whilst keeping the imagery tactile. That balance is something I try and bring to brand photography jobs. It also runs through my wider work as a commercial lifestyle photographer when businesses want imagery with more personality.
THE RESPONSE
The final photography was well received by the client (see testimonial above), delivering what the rebrand had asked for: photography that feels more premium, more assured and more in line with the modern brand. The factory photography alludes to heritage, scale and capability, while the product photography brings texture and colour.
More importantly, the photography supports Ambla’s brand vision. The rebrand is founded on balancing efficiency with sustainability and longevity, and the reality of responsible production. Those are strong but complex ideas, and they only really land when the visuals back them up. That is where manufacturing photography for factories can be so valuable.
CONCLUSION
This project was a reminder that the best industrial and manufacturing spaces already are the story. No need to force it, it’s just about recognising what matters: place, process, people, detail and atmosphere.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURING, PROCESS OR PROFESSIONAL BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY, THIS KIND OF THOUGHTFUL, DOCUMENTARY-LED APPROACH CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
I’M A MANCHESTER BASED COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, AND PROJECTS LIKE THIS ONE ARE EXACTLY WHY I LOVE MANUFACTURING PHOTOGRAPHY. GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS YOURS.
FAQS
Why is a site recce so important for manufacturing photography?
Because it lets you understand the flow of production, the best vantage points, the lighting conditions and the character of the site before the shoot day. On a project like Ambla, the location was part of the brand story, so seeing it in advance made a real difference.
Can manufacturing photography still feel premium and design led?
Absolutely. In fact, it should. Ambla’s whole rebrand was about combining technical performance with a more refined visual identity, so the photography had to reflect both sides of that balance.
Do you always need lots of people in factory photography?
No. Sometimes the machinery and product tell the story more authentically.. People still matter but they are part of the wider picture, and therefore do not always need to be the centre of the frame.
What can these images be used for once the shoot is finished?
A solid bank of manufacturing photography for marketing and websites can support a rebrand and be used for homepage design, product pages, brochures, social content, sales material and marketing campaigns.
What kind of style do you bring to industrial or factory shoots?
I’d describe it as documentary manufacturing photography with a brand led eye. I want the images to feel real, but also useful. As a commercial brand photographer clients hire me for both industrial and lifestyle work, and I’m always trying to balance creativity and commercial value in the same frame.