Corporate Branding Shoot in Tenterden: Vicki’s Bridal & The Grapevine Jazz Bar

June 4, 2025

Branding

There’s something special about photographing businesses that are deeply connected to their community. Even more so when two neighbouring businesses collaborate to elevate their client experience into something luxurious, personal, and genuinely thoughtful. This Corporate Branding Shoot in Tenterden: Vicki’s Bridal & The Grapevine Jazz Bar was exactly that.

What began as a branding refresh for a beautiful bridal boutique six months ago quickly unfolded into something more. Megan and Hannah at Vicki’s Bridal knew what they wanted from the outset which was strong, elegant visuals that captured the warmth of their space and who they were. Six months later, their images have been printed in magazines, used in online publications, and helped propel the business to a new level. Now, their partnership with The Grapevine next door has taken their service offering up a notch and I was brought in again to help showcase that vision through photography.

Come with me on a little journey as to how we went about the shoot!

Contents

About the Shoot: Planning with Purpose

Behind the camera, there’s often a spreadsheet or two. For this shoot, I created individual contracts for both businesses and mapped out a clear timing plan and also an expectation with what they would get from the experience. We had an hour to capture everything which is manageable. That meant being intentional with light, what we did, and the flow of the day, while still keeping things relaxed and natural for everyone involved.

The aim was simple: create editorial-quality photographs that felt like a glimpse into a luxury bridal experience, not a posed promotional campaign. We wanted potential clients to look at the images and think, that could be me. From trying on gowns with loved ones to sipping champagne next door with a pianist softly playing in the background. Pretty cool, right?

Photographing the Bridal Boutique

Vicki’s Bridal in Tenterden is every bit as charming in person as it looks in print. Hannah & Megan began across the road in a building that they quickly outgrew. Nowadays their shop involves soft tones, elegant displays, and dresses that have been handpicked by them. Megan and Hannah have poured so much of themselves into this boutique, and my job was to honour that by making sure the details they’ve so carefully chosen for the experience were front and centre.

We kept the shoot feeling natural. I guided our real bride, her mum, and maid of honour to interact with the space just as any client would. I encouraged them to touch fabrics, admire the dresses and just enjoying the time together. These moments are the heart of bridal shopping, and it was important that we captured not just the space, but the feeling of being there.

Let’s talk technically: I used a blend of available natural light and subtle off-camera flash, adjusting as we moved through the shop to make sure the images matched the brand identity of Vicki’s.

Showcasing Real Moments: The Bride, Her Mum & Maid of Honour

I’ve always believed that people bring the story to a shoot, but sometimes you’ve got to encourage them a little more to express it. Having a real bride and her family involved added soul to the whole experience which I’m all about. These weren’t models acting out a script which wouldn’t have been a bad people, but we were looking for authentic interactions. Real people, with genuine emotions and connections, and that makes a world of difference.

As our time started, we moved through the shoot fluidly, keeping everything informal. I chatted with everyone, encouraged natural movement and interaction, and created a space where they could just be themselves. That comfort comes across in every frame.

We also had a content creator called “Rings and Reels” on the day, creating some really helpful video footage to use across the board.

Champagne, Jazz, and Bridal Magic Next Door

The second half of the shoot took place at The Grapevine Jazz Bar, just steps away. Owned and run by Olly, it’s a beautifully moody, stylish venue that brings a touch of old-world glamour to the Tenterden High Street. It was the perfect pairing.

Megan and Hannah’s new offering is simple but luxury. It includes post-shopping snacks with champagne and drinks in the jazz bar. Again, we made it feel real: the bride, her mum and maid of honour all fancied a break. So we photographed them wandering next door to be seated at a table, clinking glasses as a pianist played in the background. A bartender served champagne. The light caught in the glassware, it was great.

This wasn’t just about photographing a place, but it was about selling an experience and how it would make the client feel.

My Style: Natural Light, Flash, and Film

Every shoot calls for a slightly different approach, but the goal is always the same: images that feel editorial, honest, and visually rich. It might not interest you if you’re not a photographer, but for this shoot, I balanced natural window light with controlled off-camera flash. White ceilings? Want to fill in the shadows a little? Put a flash out of view in a back corner of the room and dial it up a little, it makes a world of difference. It’s something I’ve honed over years, and it gives me flexibility without sacrificing consistency.

This set of clients weren’t requiring it, but I also love the ability to shoot film alongside digital. Film is something that more high-end clients are after. There’s something nostalgic about it, and that requires skill to use well. I almost always integrate it into weddings, but rarely branding sessions.

My fashion photography background also plays a part with corporate shoots, which you wouldn’t usually expect. Like that industry, I’m comfortable working in quick, high-pressure environments with lots of moving parts. It might sound strange, but I know how to make people and companies look their best whether they’re seasoned models or simply trying to convey values.

Why Photography Like This Matters

Brand photography isn’t just about headshots or product images anymore. For businesses like Vicki’s Bridal and The Grapevine, it’s about creating content that tells a cohesive story for use in multiple contexts. Think socials, website and printed materials.

When photographed well, the right images attract your ideal clients because they recognise themselves in what they see. For Vicki’s Bridal, this shoot was a new marketing asset to add to an already rich portfolio of images. For The Grapevine, it was a chance to position the bar as more than an evening destination. Together, they’re building something beautiful in the community, and I’m proud to have helped play a part in that.

Behind the Scenes: Expertise That’s Felt, Not Flaunted

Behind every relaxed photo shoot is a lot of careful planning. Contracts, timings and shot lists. When I photograph a wedding I don’t work through a shot list because I have mental notes of the things that are important to the couple and work from there. But for branding or corporate work, knowing where to place people so the light flatters them without looking staged is quite a skill.

In this session, we had just an hour. That’s tight! When you’re working across two locations, with real people, real service providers, and no time for retakes it’s tough work. But that’s where experience matters. I’m used to working in fast-paced environments, and I thrive under time pressure. I know how to move things along without rushing people, how to coax a natural moment into happening just a little more beautifully, and how to make light work with you, not against you.

Most importantly, I know how to make people feel comfortable. That’s half the job, if not more. I’m a pretty relaxed, friendly person so whether it’s a CEO or a bride I know how to read the room and work in a way that feels collaborative rather than intrusive. I also understand how important it is to put a face to a brand, so I’m always prioritising photographing the people above anything else.

Final Thoughts

This branding shoot felt like a real celebration. Of growth, collaboration, creativity and of Tenterden itself. It’s quite a community which continues to surprise me with the businesses and people doing solid work within it.

What Megan and Hannah have built at Vicki’s Bridal is not just beautiful, it’s meaningful. Spurred on from the inspiration of their Nan, so cool. Olly’s vision at The Grapevine adds a layer of charm and luxury that few bridal offerings can match. Together, they’re setting a new standard for what a bridal experience can be. I’m grateful to have been invited in to document that, and so stoked to go back there for more photography in future.

If you’re a business owner looking to elevate your brand through thoughtful, authentic photography, don’t underestimate what a good branding shoot can do. It’s not about ticking a marketing box. It’s about telling your story well, with clarity, heart, and a little bit of magic.

Portrait of Tom Keenan smiling in his studio space

Book Your Own Corporate Branding Photography

Are you a business owner? Maybe you’re a boutique owner, a venue manager, or someone building a luxury experience of your own – bespoke brand photography can help you connect with your ideal clients in a way that’s immediate and powerful.

I offer carefully crafted branding sessions tailoured to your business needs, with a focus on real interactions, honest storytelling, and a high-end finish. If you’re looking to refresh your brand, launch something new, or simply show what makes your business special do give me a message as I’d love to help.

Get in touch to talk about your ideas, and let’s create something that truly reflects your brand.