Over the years, I have started to appreciate (and embrace!) the local area in Strood, Rochester and further afield into Chatham. It is such a mixture of rural and industrial, woodland and concrete, historical and modern, that I think can give London a run for its money.
And it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking photography is only about working with light (and shadow!). It is just as much about location, background, environment or scene, that can make or break a photograph.
You wouldn’t go to a park to take photos of your catering business, in the same way you wouldn’t go to a fancy restaurant if you needed actors’ headshots.
I’ve gathered a collection of images from Medway, so let’s explore together the options for Strood photography spots and best places for headshots around this area.
You can’t go wrong with a Rochester Castle photoshoot (and Gardens too!)
It might be an obvious spot, but that doesn’t make it less handy or picturesque.
It’s timeless, it’s historic, it’s grand.
Why it works: there’s textured walls and garden doors for headshots without being distracting, there are things you can interact with, like benches, and there can be greenery to suggest a bit of nature, especially in the warmer months.
What to watch out for: it can get crowded with tourists, or the grass might not be at its best at certain periods, due to festivals taking place on the castle grounds.
Go urban – Rochester High Street and Rochester Bridge
There’s nothing I like more than a street with character.
I always felt like visiting Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series whenever I go through Rochester’s colourful and boutique high street. (I mean, crooked houses and shop fronts that look like they’re selling wands?)
Why it works: it’s great for a street-style fashion type of narrative, or a cozy cafe vibe if the weather permits. The cobblestones add interest and texture and I could easily incorporate some branding shots if your business is suitable. The bridge has interesting architecture, so again full-body shots would be great if you would like to incorporate some urban elements in your images.
What to watch out for: don’t pick a day when there’s a festival going on. Also, on windy days, the bridge might not be a good idea.
Broomhill Park – great outdoor spot for family photography in Medway
It was the first park we visited when we moved in the area and I couldn’t believe the diversity of the landscape here.
You’ve got an elevated view of Rochester, flowers in bloom if it’s spring, woodland with squirrels throughout the year, 2 play areas for kids to get busy and forget about the camera, as well as a picnic area and a sun dais.
Why it works: all of the above are well suited for family photography because there are simply a lot of things to do and a lot of space to do it in. I would also encourage relaxed and airy lifestyle photos, similar to “a walk in the park”. Any nature-based theme photoshoot would work well here.
Upnor Castle and High Street – a colourful photography spot
I went to Upnor on a New Year’s Day a few years back and it was strangely quiet. The castle grounds were also closed, so there weren’t many tourists around.
But I was pleasantly surprised by how colourful and cheerful the main street is. It all ends when you reach the river, but nevertheless it can keep up with Rochester’s High Street fame quite well.
Why it works: for rural / country-style vibes, colourful photography, textured cobblestones, a variety of house doors (if permission from owners can be obtained), plus the castle as a great background.
Tip: it might be worth going across the river and see the castle / take some shots from that perspective as well.
From Rochester to Chatham – find the hidden streets
If you leave Rochester High Street behind you and start walking towards Chatham High Street, there is a chance you’ll come across nice looking terraced houses, as well as hidden alleyways that lead to more apartments. The whole area around Rochester Independent College would be a great scene for urban photos.
Why it works: there is some geometry to be found, if you’re looking for lines and angles. The area gives me a good backdrop for headshots or even personal branding shoots. Fashion or editorial style photos could work too.
A Medway outdoor session sounds great, but… how do I prepare?
The first thing I should probably mention is that these sessions are dictated by the weather. In this case, you’ll be relieved to know that I offer up to 2 re-bookings for free in case it rains, snows (highly unlikely!) or any other extreme weather conditions happen. If the day is just overcast, that is fine. That diffused light works wonders on camera.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here are some tips on how to prep for your outdoor photoshoot:
- Wear comfortable shoes – there will be a lot of walking and/or standing up, so we need happy feet. If you need to wear high heels, smart shoes or the like, bring them in a bag.
- You don’t need to buy new clothes – I don’t believe in spending a lot of money for one day only, so wear what you already have and feel comfortable in
- Choose a time of day when the sun is not too harsh – avoid mid-day, unless direct sunlight is what you need for your photos. The best time would be Golden Hour; there are online resources that tell you when that is every day.
- Look for inspiration – your photographer will most likely guide you with posing, but you can also do your own research and bring ideas to try on the day
- Set aside more time than you think – a lot of time goes into traveling to and from the location you chose, as well as taking breaks in between shots, adjusting, re-shooting and so on
- You don’t need to wear professional make-up or hair – I’d rather take photos of someone who shows up as they are – if you like wearing make-up, go for it!
What next?
Shooting on-location outdoors is great because the Medway area offers so much in terms of landscape. However, it is also the eye of the photographer that can make a difference to your photos.
If you’re ready to book a photographer in any of these iconic Medway spots, feel free to check out my photography services for Kent and send me an inquiry to get things going!
