I was recently contacted by Barchester Healthcare looking for a care home photographer in Sherborne, Dorset. They wanted a Sherborne-based photographer to capture “pre-opening” images for the latest addition to their portfolio, Trinity Manor care home, as well as document the actual opening event a month later in early December.

Barchester Healthcare Ltd is one of the largest independent care providers in the UK, operating seven registered hospitals and 200+ care homes across the country.

Trinity Manor care home really left a positive impression on me, with a homely feel rather than similarities with a cold hospital ward. My mother did jokingly express her worry that I was going there to book her a space!

There were a few challenges on the pre-opening shoot:

The home exterior was still a rather messy building site which was not to appear in any interior photos
It was a bright sunny day (not a problem in itself!) casting harsh light inside much darker rooms
Some rooms were on the smaller side, requiring an as-wide-as-possible lens

The brief was straight forward:

I was hired to photograph 3 bedrooms (2 angles for each), a lounge, an activities room, a ribbon cutting and three portraits of the care home staff (that’s when my street photography background really helps).

I started by shooting the lounge which was the easiest of spaces since it was very large and bright, a very well designed space.

The Lounge at Barchester’s Trinity Manor Care Home

The bright dining area at Trinity Manor, Sherborne

The harsh sun rays hitting the carpet and walls from outside did bother me so I eventually shut the curtains a little. Some bits of furniture got a little in the way so I moved them to make space.

Next I shot the rooms. One was large’ish so it was easy enough, the other two less so. Having to avoid showing the building work outside left me with very few angle options and at times adopting very awkward poses squeezing myself into a corner or trying to push a wall a few meters back.

The activities room was not ready according to the property manager but I still shot it as it was in my brief, better be safe than sorry.

It was small and dark, definitely a challenge but I think I did the best I could with what I had.

And finally the three staff portraits were shot in the big lounge. Initially the client wanted on white background but I managed to steer them toward a more natural pose with the lounge in the background rather than a shot that would look maybe too “corporate” and cold.

The ribbon cutting had been already captured by them so that was removed from the requested shots.

Overall a very good shoot, working with pleasant staff at Barchester’s Trinity Manor care home and great pre-shoot communication with my client Tiffany which to me is the most important part of a job.

The next shoot Barchester hired me for was the opening event which took place on December 12th.

I was hired to document the event in a candid way, capturing guests enjoying their time. One lady was particularly sweet, the home’s first resident, so I had to capture this lovely portrait of her:

The first resident of Trinity Manor Care Home

This was an easy job for me as it is what I specialise in thanks to my street photography background and many events I have been hired to photograph. I’m so used to these events that I blend-in perfectly and most times no one notices me taking photos.

Also required were shots of the speakers/speaches, VIP tours of the care home (of which the guests included the Mayor of Sherborne), entertainers, care home staff looking after guests…

The Mayor of Sherborne enjoying the tour

Guests enjoying themselves at the opening of Trinity Manor

I enjoyed this event, the staff were very concerned with my personal enjoyment and that I was given food and drink, which showed their level of care considering I was employed there that day and not a resident or guest.

The photos of the event were sent ASAP to the client within 2 working days of the event which allowed them to distribute a press release and share photos of the event in a timely manner.

I hope you enjoy the photos I took of Trinity Manor care home in Sherborne! If you need an event photographer in Sherborne, London or elsewhere… get in touch!

Nico