Time for tea? The joy of afternoon tea photography

Afternoon Tea is a centuries-old tradition that is still going strong today. It is a time to relax and enjoy delicious food and drink in elegant surroundings.

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to set up numerous afternoon tea photography shoots to capture a variety of Afternoon Teas on offer around London. These have included both traditional and modern afternoon tea offerings.

Since we are known for our work as luxury hotel photographers, having worked with hotels including Jumeriah Carlton Tower, COMO Metropolitan & COMO The Halkin Hotel, The Doyle Collection, The Lanesborough and Hotel Cafe Royal, naturally part of our remit has included capturing the finesse of our clients’ afternoon tea experiences.   

As well as having created afternoon tea photos for luxury hotels, we have also worked with trendy, independent tea rooms and bars.

Whatever the setting, a traditional afternoon tea is always beautifully presented and is the perfect way to enjoy time with friends.

How to capture the perfect Afternoon tea photo

Like the time required to create and enjoy an Afternoon tea, photographing the perfect Afternoon Tea takes time. There are so many elements to consider, so it’s good to have an idea of these before setting up.

When commissioned to photograph an Afternoon Tea, these are our top five things we need to consider for a smooth-running Afternoon Tea shoot:

1)  The setting

The setting will dictate the type of shots we will be able to create, so it’s the first thing we consider when planning any tea photoshoot.

We’ll consider whether we have the space and time to photograph the Afternoon Tea set up to show the surroundings it’s served in and, if not, we will need to consider more close-up shots.

In an ideal world, we’d need the space in which we’re to work not to be too restricted – photographers come with quite a lot of gear!

If we’re working in an intimate tearoom setting, we’d likely suggest more close-up shots focusing on the afternoon tea food and drink, to create beautiful photography. This will emphasize the elements of the experience rather than capturing the wider setting and general ambience.  

 2) The lighting

In photography, of course, lighting is all-important. We will consider whether the location and the room we are to work in is either a dimly lit area, ideal for creating a sense of atmosphere, or a venue filled with natural light.

The lighting in the venue impacts the amount, and type, of photography gear we’ll need to bring to the photoshoot and, of course, the end results.

3)  The presentation

No two Afternoon Teas are the same, so we never assume that a client will present theirs on a tall, traditional multi-tiered tray.

Sometimes, Afternoon Teas are displayed on elegant low-level platters – we’ve seen so many ways to present them and they’re always stunning!

 
4) The Afternoon Tea theme

Afternoon Teas can also be themed, so each shoot is bespoke to the client and the season.

There may be a need for a selection of props, and perhaps different backgrounds and surfaces to support and enhance the theme.

5) The offering

Obviously the food element is also an important consideration when photographing an Afternoon Tea.

·         Are there items that need to be kept chilled?

·         Are there items that are so delicate that we need to have spares available in case of breakages?

·         Is there a tea version, and a champagne version?  (There always is - I’m not sure why we even ask!)

6) An extra point: Hands!

Last but not least, another thing we always consider when commissioned to shoot an Afternoon Tea is whether hand models will be required. Will the client want models or hands in the shot? 

When we’re photographing Afternoon Teas, there are likely to be close-up shoots, so any models involved need to have hands that are in tip-top condition. It may well be worth considering a professional hand model to give you perfect hands and nails. Alternatively, if you do have someone available with great hands, we would suggest a professional manicure pre shoot.

 The joy of photographing Afternoon Tea

We’ve always found Afternoon Tea an absolute delight to photograph. 

The luxury hotels and tearooms we work with always create Afternoon Teas with the wow factor, and show the skill, ingenuity, and appreciation of seasonal products in such a creative, elegant way.

Enjoying and sharing an Afternoon Tea experience with friends is also a delight, and not just for tourists.

Food and drink photography enquiries

If you’re looking to commission Afternoon Tea pictures, or similar, enquire about our professional food and drink photoshoots.

Please contact Abi of the Giles Christopher team to discuss your brief. We can advise on logistics and the best use of your shooting schedule.

We can shoot on location in London and beyond, as well as in our custom-designed private photography studio just outside of the City which is easily accessible from the south and southwest and is just 35 minutes by train from Waterloo and a short cab ride.