photographic services uk Dec 2008

Andy Knight's team have a wealth of experience producing set builds and props from their large, well equipped workshops and photographic studio in central London. The crew includes set builders, prop makers, sculptors and scenic painters, along with a group of model makers - Metro Models. The team works closely with many of London's best photographers to help produce stunning images for a wide range of well-known agencies and clients.

Andy Knight's crew work in studios and on location anywhere, or can build for photographers in their own dedicated studio space when appropriate. The company will quickly respond to an email or phone call by providing intelligent technical advice, creative co-operation, and cost effective budgets for a wide range of projects. From initial contact, the team can rapidly move into action to produce sets and models to the highest standards.

Recent projects include work for Vogue, Dior, Hermes, Nike, Dior and Sony.

Delta Design Studio has been creating customised handmade portfolios for over 25 years, along with a range of other services including custom bags, boxes and menus.

The company has a large range of materials in the studio, including leathers, leatherettes and linens in many different colours. Offering blocking on site as a way of personalising portfolios, again this service is available in a range of colours. For the more adventurous, Delta Design can now print virtually anything onto a portfolio, bag or box using its screen printing service.

At Delta Design Studio, the team believes anything is possible, so call to discuss your requirements.

Chase55 Limited is the complete furniture and accessory prop-hire resource, unrivaled anywhere in Europe. Providing a full service to the whole production industry, the company specialises in three main ranges:

• Period: Tudor Empire, Georgian, Regency Louis, French, Jacobean, Country and more.
• Modern: Everyday furniture to high-end design, including Charles Eames, Phillip Starck, Verner, Panton, Norman Foster, Tom Dixon, Karim Rashid and much more.
• Accessories: Ranges from 1940 through to modern day, covering Soft Furnishings, Lighting, Stuffed Animals, Electrical, Children's Toys and more.

Covering a floor area of 210,000sq ft, Chase55 offers a huge range of props in a well furbished environment, where clients can work or relax. Whether dressing a film or TV production, planning an exhibition or staging an event, clients can be sure to find something special at Chase55.

Clients include BBC, ITV, Disney, Tiger Aspect, MTV, Warner Bros, Design Arrival and Hat Trick.

First Option Studio is a converted Victorian zip and suspender factory. Set within a private and quiet courtyard, the studio makes the ideal location for both film and still shoots. The company also caters for a wide variety of events.

Features include a split level (30'W x 30'D x 20'H) daylight or full blackout studio, two kitchens - the largest of which is 25'W x 20'D x 11'H and fully equipped - and a large marble bathroom and changing area. The studio also has immense aesthetic appeal with sanded wooden floors, a polished Welsh slate entrance, original Victorian brick walls with Scots pine roof trusses, original Crittal windows and two wrought iron spiral staircases.

The studio is situated in a prime central London location and is close to Liverpool Street main line station and Old Street or Liverpool Street underground lines. Visit the website for more pictures and information.

CGI 2.0 by Happy Finish

Happy Finish, one of the UK's most established CGI and retouching companies, has taken its unique creative approach into realistic CGI and 3D.

"Of course we do shiny new cars, products and set builds to the highest creative standards," says MD Stuart Waplington, "but we have also developed ways to create more complex textures, like during the collaboration with UK photographer John Offenbach to create a rusty abandoned car. One of our clients recently called it CGI 2.0!"

This creative approach is reflected in the company's portfolio, with projects such as the sumptuous leather and walnut CGI interior of the Aston Martin, the complex crystal horse created with photographer Patrick Ryan, and the popcorn-eating gremlins.

Happy Finish CGI adds creative value to many commercial projects, having recently worked with Sony, Capital One and Publicis to name but a few.

"Contact us and let's discuss your concepts," says Stuart.

Juicy Fruits Ltd. makes fine detail models of food and natural produce for the advertising media.

The company was established by food stylist Steven Wheeler, who continues to make well observed models. Cast in translucent resins and hand finished with layers of tinted varnish, the company's food models look real because they carry a precise density of light and colour within the resin. This degree of execution requires many hours of patience, an eye for detail, colour, texture and sculptural form.

As a small company Juicy Fruits strives to maintain this high standard of work whilst offering a friendly and helpful service.

Juicy Fruits holds an extensive list of models for hire. In or out of season the company can source and supply a wide range of real produce, including leaves, foliage and living plants.

With over 10 years of industry experience, Karmer has a highly-skilled and creative team of set constructors, carpenters, designers, model makers, background artists and fabricators.

Proud to have collaborated with some of the most influential photographers, designers and art directors, the company has covered a vast array of projects, from studio sets to location work, exhibitions, displays and press shows, to some of the most innovative retail spaces in London.

Karmer can offer logistical support and transportation using its small fleet of trucks to ensure the smooth running of projects such as exhibitions and catalogue shoots. For retail projects, the company can remove stress by project managing the whole job, allowing the creative process to run unhindered.

Recent projects include album covers from Reggae to Girls Aloud, Mario Testino's new office space, Tom Dixon, Vitra, Tatler, Wallpaper, Esquire, GQ, Sky Box launch event, Selfridge's, Habitat, and various advertising campaigns.

Location X is a collective of location scouts and managers from across the UK and Europe who pool decades of experience, contacts and specialist knowledge to provide professional services including location scouting, management and production for TV, commercials, features and still photography.

The team has worked in many countries under most conditions. From finding and setting-up locations to producing an entire shoot, Location X has handled hundreds of jobs across the world and boasts one of the most extensive networks of information sources in the UK and Europe.

Location X compiles private collections on its website for photographers, agencies and clients to view location choices from the company's library, along with each day's scouting shots. These pages can be updated in seconds, providing a uniquely flexible and responsive service.

Get in touch for some free advice. As the company website says: "Feel free to pick our brains without the meter running". Contact Roland Caine or Jenni Lewis for further information, or follow the link to the website.

SNAP Studios offers a selection of daylight, lifestyle and cove spaces with a rooftop shooting area boasting views over Shoreditch Park and the city. Three studios ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 sq ft are served by first class facilities including an on-site lighting department and digital partner. Located less than 10 minutes walk from Old Street Underground station and with ample off-street parking, SNAP is the ideal space for innovative and exciting productions.

The company's dedicated lighting floor holds a comprehensive range of Profoto, ARRI HMI/Tungsten, Kinoflo, Hasselblad and Mamiya equipment. Based within the same complex, threefourdigital provides a tailored digital service supplying the latest in Phase One backs for Hasselblad and Mamiya as well as Intel Macs with Eizo screens. With fully trained operators, secure file storage and online editing, a quality service from start to finish is guaranteed. SNAP's online location library holds an extensive catalogue featuring everything from the ultra-ordinary to the off-the-wall.

From a day's location scouting to complete photographic production, SNAP takes care of the detailed logistics to guarantee a successful project. With over 10 years experience both in the UK and abroad, the company's research, organisation and industry contacts ensure clients get a cost effective solution for their briefs, every time.