THE NORTHERN LIGHT CINEMA
COMMERCIAL INTERIORS + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

exterior architecture photography of boutique cinema. front of cinema at night. lit up from inside. blurred people walking out of the door

ARCHITECTURAL, INTERIORS AND LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NEW LUXURY INDEPENDENT CINEMA IN SALE

THE BRIEF

It's no secret that I love the cinema. In fact, a few years ago when we were all in lockdown I started a project all about the aesthetic of the cinema, to highlight their struggle to survive while being forced to stay closed. And the cinemas I photographed are actually other cinemas owned and run by the same company.

Naturally I was thrilled when Manero commissioned me to photograph their luxury new independent cinema - The Northern Light in Sale, just before it opened earlier this year. They needed architectural photography that showed off all of the interior spaces, including capturing all of the attention to detail that had gone into the selection of materials and lighting.

Brand and marketing photography was also needed so that the images could be used to promote the new launch as well as their ongoing marketing activities. Lifestyle photography would help show the cinema as a lively and dynamic space.

cropped photo of cinema interior, blue patterned walls and small table lamps surround the cinema seats

TESTIMONIAL

"Steve was tasked with the photoshoot of our new cinema in Sale and really delivered with a suite of high quality images and imaginative constructs that will serve us well - excellent work!"

Tony Mundin, Manero Cinemas

wide photograph of cinema auditorium, with boutique seats and table lamps

cropped photo of cinema seats, blue plush velvet fabric and deco style drink holders, moody lighting

interior photography of cinema interior, auditorium with view of rows of seats, blue and green decoration and boutique lamps

cropped photo of cinema seating and patterned wall covering all with hues of green

PROCESS

I split my time on this project both to include shots of the exterior at night and so I could work around the opening of the cinema to the public. For the interiors photography I really wanted to lean into the luxury and embrace the comforting darkness of a classic cinema auditorium. I also wanted to call back to my previous cinema aesthetics project and allude to some of the textures and other sensory aspects of the cinema.

Careful attention had been made in choosing the finishing touches to the interior design and decor, including bespoke materials for the seating and wall coverings by Blackpop and beautiful lighting by Pooky. The other features include a fab mural illustrated by Jon Burgerman that you can't help but appreciate as you make your way to the screens, and a lovely finishing touch added to the exterior by the cinema's Stanley Square neighbour The Sculpts.

It was really important for me to photograph the lobby and exterior of the cinema at night. Not only to show how the lighting warms up the space but also to show the cinema in an authentic way. Light spills out of the full glass frontage of the building, literally luring people to take a closer look.

cropped photo of green luxury cinema seating, with ornate colourful wall coverings and drink holders on the chairs

close in photo of cinema interior, red hues dominate with wooden slatted walls and red table lamp

interior photography showing a red cinema auditorium with plush rows of seats and red carpets

architectural photography showing corridor in cinema with screen signs and colourful mural on wall

detail shot showing glass panel with flowers behind, background blurred

photo of cinema reception, with colourful display including a popcorn machine and flowers

RESPONSE

There's something so calming about photographing inside a quiet cinema auditorium. The design of the interior is all about supporting that feeling of being closed off from the outside world. No natural light (naturally) but also soundproofing and luxurious materials on nearly every surface. It all makes for a wonderfully comforting feeling to be in a space like this.

I have to thank the client for allowing me some creative freedom in how I responded to their brief. Of course I made sure that I supplied them with beautiful photography that I hope helps their cinema go on to be a huge success and an integral part of the future of Sale's nightlife. But I was also able to be slightly indulgent with some of the more abstract photography of the cinema's characteristics, alluding to my own relationship with film and cinema.

interior photography showing ornate ceiling lights glowing red in a cinema lobby

cinema reception with reds and blues, flowers and popcorn machine on counter and sign advertising cake

cinema corridor with glowing signs showing screen numbers and colourful mural on wall

cropped shot of cinema corridor with glowing sign for screen entrance and colourful faces on a mural in background

dining booths in a cinema lobby, colourful patterned fabric on seating and movie posters on wall

wide architecture photography of cinema lobby with seating booths and colourful walls. person in background looking at poster

evening shot of cinema lobby with glowing red lights and colourful decor. customers walking toward desk

low light shot of cinema lobby with seated booths, ornate ceiling lights and patterned walls

exterior photo of cinema window, with movie poster visible and people sat in dining booths

exterior architectural photography of a cinema at night, light spills from windows and people walk toward the door. tower with lights in background

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CINEMACOMMERCIAL INTERIORS + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM MY ARCHITECTURAL, INTERIOR, PLACEMAKING OR LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY, THEN PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CINEMA
COMMERCIAL INTERIORS + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY