Behind the Scenes of a Location Shoot Shake-Up

Behind the scenes of a location shoot, things don’t always go exactly to plan. And in this case our plan actually disappeared altogether. We had everything lined up: the perfect location, all the equipment, props, chef and food prepped and ready to go. Then, the night before, a circumstance completely out of our control meant we couldn’t run the shoot we’d been planning for weeks. The whole thing had to be scrapped.

The easy option would have been to cancel. But when you’ve got a location booked, a full team ready to go, equipment packed and tasty food in the fridge… well, it felt wrong to waste it. So instead, we took a moment of solace for the day that was not to be and continued on with a complete shake-up.

Rather than trying to force the original plan, we asked: what content have we always wanted, but never prioritised? And that became our new focus. What followed was one of the most valuable shoots we’ve ever done. Free from the constraints of a tight shot list, the team captured work that will fuel brand storytelling, acquisition campaigns and our customer welcome journey. The images and video are rich, versatile and full of life - exactly the kind of content that pushes the needle and works harder for us.

It could have been a disaster, but instead it became proof of what can happen when you have the right people in the room. A team that can adapt, find the opportunity in the challenge and deliver work that’s not just good, but delivers.

Looking back, it feels less like a day lost and more like a day we didn’t realise we needed. Huge thanks to Thu Le for capturing the lovely BTS shots - you’d almost never know what the previous 24 hours had thrown at us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Brownlie-Marshall

Designer & Creative

Richard Brownlie-Marshall is a multidisciplinary creative and brand leader whose career spans the worlds of food, lifestyle and entertainment. Currently Head of Creative at Mindful Chef, Richard has led impactful partnerships with brands including LEON, Deliciously Ella and Gymkhana - helping shape the brand’s voice in the highly competitive recipe box market. Previously, Richard has worked globally for Pret A Manger, where highlight projects included the launch of Veggie Pret and the brand’s first foray into supermarkets and retail. He has also appeared on screen as a brand expert on Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars and hosted a Disney Parks UK series as the “Go To Guide” for Disneyland Paris. Known for his distinctive blend of commercial and creative, Richard specialises in turning strategy into standout storytelling.

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