Photographing restaurants and cafes
From putting out fires to setting the dining scene on fire!
Photographing one of the artist rooms at The Firestation restaurant
One of the joys of photographing restaurants and cafes is being given the opportunity to be let loose with our camera and equipment in a new artistic environment! Recently, I was given this opportunity in the form of a new restaurant set in an old fire station that has been artistically decorated with a fantastic array of eclectic memorabilia and artistic wall art.
The restaurant isn’t set to open till June but I was asked to photograph the refurbished establishment with the images to be used on social media for pre-promotional purposes. Aptly named The Firestation, the restaurant/ bar/ coffee lounge will cater for all groups of people from quiet coffees or pre-dinner drinks with couples and friends through to the full dining experience for couples, families, friends and group gatherings. The pleasure of photographing restaurants and cafes comes into its own here!
How good does this art work look?! Only professional photography will show its true beauty!
This cool date board is photographed for their website purposes
The multi-room premise has a main bar with dining tables at the front, open the fascia’s large glass bi-fold doors and you’ve got alfresco dining during the finer weather while smaller lounge rooms for the more intimate or relaxing meetings with or without an open fireplace are located towards the rear. There is also a beer garden running the length of the station adding to the social ambiance of the creatively styled restaurant.
As the final touches to The Firestation are still going on, I found myself having to be creative with the camera and flash in order to capture the feel of the dark timber and red brick eatery while leaving out the tradies ladders, extension cords, paint tins and other not so attractive working equipment. If the brief required me to capture the build process, all that working equipment would look attractive but not for this brief!
Local signs adds to the artistic splendor of this bar as photographed by us
With so much art and decoration adorning the roof and walls, it’s a challenge to decide what to include in the frame of the camera and what to leave out! Every detail has been taken into consideration when designing the restaurant and, as a photographer, I find myself wanting to highlight these details while also capturing the atmosphere the owners are wanting to portray.
That homely feel as photographed utilising the natural light
silhouette art on the Firestation walls
From photographing a classically styled ex-fire station turned restaurant devoid of customers to photographing a full-house in the afternoon for a private function, I was able to delve into the photographic art of capturing the social scenery of people interacting with friends and families over drinks and finger food framed by the white washed walls displaying hanging wall art and contrasting black silhouette images through to the warmth emanating from the black painted classic open fireplace and leather lounge chairs at the rear .
Patrons at The Firestation enjoying a relaxing afternoon
The bar staff were able to put the large rectangle timber finished bar and brass plated coffee machine through its paces while I was able to capture the social bustle of the bar scene and beer garden.
By all accounts from what I witnessed and from the feedback I received, this restaurant will be a huge hit for those who like to dine out or take in the unique artistic stylings of a resurrected and re-styled property over a coffee or cocktail with friends so look them up for opening day details!
If you own a business with an artistic style or want to have your premise photographed in this style for your website or social media marketing, then I would love to hear from you.
Contact me on 0428 399 488 or visit the contact me page.
