Photographing the M&S Store Opening in Poole

M&S commissioned me as their commercial photographer for the opening of the new 20,000-square-foot store at Redlands in Poole in August 2026, covering the retail interiors, food hall and official opening.

The brief required a consistent set of images for marketing, press coverage, social media and internal communications. Wide interior views needed to show the layout and presentation of each department, alongside the details and branding throughout the store.

With ninety minutes available before opening, the photography ran alongside the team’s final preparations. I planned the coverage around the departments as they became ready, checking stock presentation, sightlines and signage before each photograph. This kept the shoot moving while staff prepared to welcome the first customers.

Retail interiors and brand presentation

The coverage extended from the exterior and entrance signage through to the bakery, wine section, flower shop and food counters. Each department had its own requirements, within a brief that called for a consistent view of the store.

I considered the balance between shelving, displays and ceiling space in each composition, keeping attention on the retail environment. Clear aisles and fully stocked displays were part of the brief, so presentation needed the same attention as lighting and framing.

Working closely with the store team allowed me to resolve details as I moved between departments. Packaging could be cleared and displays checked before I photographed each area, while preparations continued elsewhere.

Photographing illuminated signage

The illuminated department signs were a particular consideration. Brighter than the surrounding interiors, they needed to remain legible without leaving the aisles and displays too dark.

The brief highlighted this across several departments. The aim was to retain the character of the lighting and the clarity of the branding, while showing the detail in the store itself. Exposure and composition both needed to account for those differences.

PR photography for the official opening

The interiors were completed with time to prepare the store manager and colleagues for the ribbon-cutting. This part of the commission called for a different approach, directing the group while keeping the entrance and M&S signage clearly visible.

I arranged the team before the opening and worked through variations in the group’s positioning. The brief asked for an engaging composition, smart presentation and everyone looking towards the camera, with a choice of photographs for the communications team.

For press use, the relationship between the people, the occasion and the brand needed to be immediately clear. Preparing the group in advance allowed me to concentrate on the ribbon-cutting as it happened.

A consistent set for different uses

The commission brought together retail interiors, department details and opening-day portraits within one shoot. Each served a different purpose: introducing the store, showing its food offer and giving the launch a human focus through the colleagues involved.

Those intended uses shaped the coverage from the outset. Alongside the wider views, closer compositions provided variety for social media and supporting marketing material, while the opening photographs gave the press team a clear record of the occasion.

Commercial Photography for the M&S Store Opening in Poole