Mid-Spring was the perfect time to organise this company photoshoot for Bedfords Chartered Surveyors at this beautiful Cotswold Barn location in Gloucestershire. We certainly had the weather on our side and were able to use some of the picturesque outside areas of the villa as well as the impressive interior.

Professional Photography for a company rebrand and website refresh


We took 15 chartered surveyors and support staff from Bedfords Surveyors to a private Cotswold Barn location to completely refresh their digital portraits for the company website redesign and social media assets. Bedfords understand the importance of a good first impression, and wanted to convey professionalism and approachability through their visual imagery.


We can't wait to see the new website in the coming months!

Incorporating architectural features into the team photoshoot


For this team of surveyors, it was important to incorporate the architectural features of this beautiful Cotswold villa into the team photoshoot. Here we see the team walking towards the camera, in front of the cladded fascia of the bedroom wing of the house.

This subtle act of walking slowly towards the camera is a great trick to generate some interest in otherwise would-be bland corporate photos. First, it introduced some motion/ movement (= energy), and second, it actually generated a few laughs and natural expressions as the team try to hold the line whilst walking in the unusually slow manner that I had asked of them!

Team of 15 chartered surveyors walking away from a cladded Cotswold villa

Contemporary headshots that exude professionalism and approachability.


That's literally what their brief said. That'll make a good blog subheading, I thought to myself.



Bedfords understand the importance of a good first impression, and wanted to convey professionalism and approachability through their visual imagery. Let's kick of with some classic headshots then, shall we?...


Here's a sample illustrating the variety that can be achieved when using a dedicated location like our Cotswold Barn. With a beautiful mix of exposed beams, cladded exteriors and stone backdrops (both indoors and outside), we achieve variety that maintains a cohesive aesthetic when the images are laid out together, as shown below:

Professional head and shoulder portrait of woman smiling
Director headshot leaning against cladding on Cotswold villa
Surveyor laughing and leaning against exposed beam in Cotswold villa
Clean and professional headshot of Director, Mike.
Professional headshot of business director, arms folded and smiling brightly
Surveyor stood laughing in hallway of Cotswold villa on a team photoshoot day
Clean and bright image of surveyor in modern shirt smiling and leaning against cladding of Cotswold villa
Professional image of young surveyor in blue shirt, leaning against exposed wooden beam on his team photoshoot day

Aesthetic variety for company digital assets

This client requested black and white and sepia versions of each photo supplied in their gallery, giving them more options and aesthetic variety when organising their digital assets throughout their revamped website. Here's a sample of our classic corporate headshots taken in the hallway of the villa.

By using a photographic lens that allows the background to fall out of focus, not only do we emphasise our important subjects, but it also satisfies the element of the brief that enables future images to blend more seamlessly into the gallery (even if taken by a different photographer).

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By using a photographic lens that allows the background to fall out of focus, not only do we emphasise our important subjects, but it also satisfies the element of the brief that enables future images to blend more seamlessly into the gallery (even if taken by a different photographer, or at a different location, in the future).

Professional environmental portraits

The versatility of this location afforded for variety and interest in the images captured for the team photoshoot, including what we call 'environmental' portraits: capturing a scene with broader context, like these shots of our professionals, gathered around discussing the architectural plans, or in their hi-vis vests out on location.

Surveyor drawing laid out on the table
Staff posing for natural 'environmental' photos, appearing to discuss plans
Director motions with his hands to explain plans to the team
Surveyors in yellow vests on site at Cotswold barn photoshoot location
Surveyor posing as if identifying snags at a customer site in the Cotswolds
Surveyors in yellow vests discussing items on tablet screen on location

About Bedfords Surveyors

Team of 15 Surveyors posed in front of Cotswold Stone wall
Bedfords Chartered Surveyors

Bedfords Chartered Surveyors is a second generation family business that prides itself on its professional ethics and expert independent advice. 

Bedfords Surveyors was founded in 1973 by Charles Bedford. His sons Mike and Charles joined the business in the 1980’s and Mike Bedford took over as Managing Director at the Maidstone office when his father retired.


Over the years Bedfords Surveyors has expanded to provide nationwide coverage and now has two more directors; Paul Parkinson who is responsible for managing the Northern division and James Tavare who manages the London division.