In March we managed to conduct a photo walk around Cheltenham town centre, to meet with a bunch of local businesses to introduce ourselves — and capture some fantastic exterior photos!
In this blog we will share some of our favourite photos we captured.
Settebello, Cheltenham
If you’re lucky enough to have a building like Belgrave House as your commercial property, then of course you’ll want to show it off as much as possible! Effective exterior property photography is a key part of any marketing effort, because prospective customers do judge a book by its cover — or in this case, a shop by its building.
This matters not just offline, but online too. Why? Because many shoppers and tourists these days use apps like Google Maps and TripAdvisor to scope out local towns and plan their day in advance. You’ll want your storefront photos to be visually striking enough to catch their eye and drive traffic.
Cologne & Cotton, Cheltenham
The building above is a perfect example of how an ordinary storefront can be transformed into something fantastic. Clever use of colour, signage, and detailing can make all the difference. This is especially effective when the storefront shares the same layout or template as its neighbours but uses branding to stand out.
The Tavern, Cheltenham
The photographs above were taken in a way that highlights the customer’s journey. They show a potential customer walking past the entrance, naturally drawing attention to the doorway itself and the menu placed beside it.
Bars and restaurants have an advantage in this regard — a well-composed exterior shot can often tell you everything you need to know about what’s on offer, helping people make an informed decision before they even step inside.
Whilst most restaurants understandably focus on captivating interior photography, they are doing themselves a disservice by not combining it with exterior property photography.
Regency Chandeliers & Interiors, Cheltenham
Regency Chandeliers & Interiors has a unique and intriguing storefront. Firstly, the brickwork of the first floor meets the ground floor with a sudden ‘split’ before the painted storefront. This creates a visually pleasing contrast.
Secondly, effective use of external props (such as lamps and plants) further draws the eye, and helps it distinguish itself from its neighbours.
Rossiter Books, Cheltenham
Perhaps our favourite photo of the day is one that captures a customer actively engaging with a shop — pausing to investigate what’s on offer.
Capturing an engaged customer provides visual confirmation that your store is interesting and worth stopping for. As humans, we’re naturally curious; when we see someone taking the time to browse, or notice a small crowd forming, we instinctively want to know what we might be missing out on.
Next week we will be conducting an exterior photography photo walk in Gloucester town centre, so be sure to stay tuned for next week’s edition of this photography blog!
