When people see the finished photographs, it’s easy to assume the shoot was straightforward. In reality, this was one of those sessions that required plenty of planning, problem solving and a little creativity.
Martha from Restore and More Piano Services specialises in restoring beautiful pianos, and my goal was to create a collection of images that reflected the quality of her craftsmanship.
The biggest challenge was space.
The workshop was extremely tight, making it difficult to photograph a grand piano from the angles I wanted. To add to that, we were in the middle of a heatwave, so working around large studio lights and moving equipment in such a confined space was uncomfortable to say the least.
Rather than compromise on the final result, I used composite photography techniques. By combining several photographs, I was able to create clean, polished images that show each piano at its very best while keeping everything looking natural.
Once we’d finished photographing the pianos, we stepped outside for Martha’s portrait. I took my studio lighting outdoors so the portrait would have the same style and quality of light as the piano photographs. Although they were taken in completely different locations, the consistent lighting helps the entire collection feel connected.
One of my favourite details from the shoot was the incredible wood grain, elegant curves and craftsmanship of the restored Bechstein piano. These are the details that deserve to be seen, and careful lighting brings them to life.
Commercial photography is often about far more than pressing the shutter. It’s about solving problems, controlling light and creating a set of images that tells a consistent story about a business and the people behind it.
A huge thank you to Martha for trusting me to photograph both her beautiful work and the passion that goes into restoring these remarkable instruments. It was a pleasure to spend the day with someone who cares so deeply about preserving these pianos for future generations.
Ray
