There’s a particular moment on every care home photography shoot where I stop, look around and think: “Right, I’m going to need a bigger memory card.”
At Kings Hill Care Home in West Malling, Kent, that moment came roughly four seconds after walking through the door.
I was back with Lovett Care for another photo shoot, and I’ll be honest: it’s a joy to photograph a home where the design team has clearly cared about every last detail.
Homely, not hospital
Care home photography has one job above all others: help families feel what it’s like to be there before they’ve ever visited. That’s easy to do when the space itself does the talking.
Kings Hill doesn’t feel like a facility. It feels like a beautifully run boutique hotel where someone’s also made sure there’s a decent cup of tea on the go. Warm, layered colours, soft furnishings, and the sort of lighting that makes everyone look like they’ve just come back from holiday.
The lounge is a perfect example. Mustard velvet armchairs, soft throws, a generous ottoman and French doors to the garden. It’s somewhere you’d happily sink into with a book, and it photographs like a dream.
The little details
What impressed me most was how much thought had gone into the small stuff. Statement wallpapers, antique-style books and lamps, offering a perfect place to sit down and unwind.
Spaces like this are the ones that make residents (and their families) feel at ease. They look lived-in and loved, and that’s exactly what you want to capture.
Places to eat, meet and enjoy
The bistro area has the polish of a proper café-bar, complete with glass chandelier, pendant lighting and plenty of natural light from the garden doors. I could happily have set up my tripod and stayed for a flat white. (Professionalism prevailed. Mostly.)
The main dining room is bright and welcoming, with herringbone flooring, soft peach upholstery and tables laid as if guests are about to arrive.
And then there’s the private dining room. Terracotta velvet chairs, a statement chandelier and that gloriously bold wallpaper. If I ever host a dinner party here, I promise to behave.
Rooms with a view
Bedrooms matter hugely to families, so I always take extra care with them. Here, the patio doors open straight onto the garden, with a gazebo waiting just beyond. Natural light, a calm colour palette and plenty of comfortable seating all help it feel personal rather than clinical.
A big thank you
A huge thank you to Lovett Care for hiring and trusting me on yet another amazing shoot. It means a lot to work with a team that understands how much great imagery matters, and I’m already looking forward to the next one. 🎊
Thinking about care home photography?
If you run or market a care home, the right photography does a lot of heavy lifting. It helps families picture their loved one settling in, and it shows your team’s hard work off properly. I also offer 360° virtual tours, so people can explore your home from anywhere before they’ve set foot inside.
Get in touch on 01903 905212 or info@nickpowellphotography.com, or have a look at more of my work at nickpowellphotography.com.