Case Study: Highclere Castle Gin
The Brief
When we came on board with the Highclere Castle Gin team, they already had a distinct visual identity. From the very beginning, their aim was to produce a ultra-premium gin, inspired by the regal grounds and estate of Highclere castle, where the botanicals for the gin are sourced from.
The parameters for the shoot were very clear: develop social media content which draws on the history of highclere castle, showcasing the product as a ultra-premium product, fit for a Lord and Lady.
Shooting
Firstly, storytelling through imagery was essential in amplifying the product’s premium positioning. Highclere castle gin is a celebration of heritage, luxury, and the mastery of craft. Therefore, our aim was to recreate the elegance and prestige of being in the castle itself. We achieved this primarily through the use of our Butler character to create a sense of prestige and refined tradition.
In contrast, our abstract style of shoot is perfect for emphasising the beauty of the bottle as the hero of the image. With nothing to distract, the product is allowed to sing unapologetically.
Furthermore, having abstract imagery is also a versatile asset to have at the disposal of marketing teams. The precise control allows for accurate brand consistency, as well as imagery which can be easily translated into e-commerce, graphics with text, advertisements and socials.
One of the challenges we faced was colouring. The dark purple is core to the brand, and so replicating the colour was vital for consistency. However, due to the magic of colour science, there were many angles and set ups which would make the bottle appear blue rather than purple.
Solution…
Our solution was to use carefully placed backdrops and lighting to offset colour imbalances, followed by precise post production to ensure the vivid purple remained uniform throughout shoots.
Continued Collaboration
From our first shoot, we have consistently worked together ever since. We value the collaborative relationship we have developed, with a natural rhythm of trust and exchange between our teams. Our work has ranged from delivering specific campaign imagery to more creative explorations of the brand identity. Together we’ve built a wealth of versatile content spanning campaign themes such as festive parties and intimate bars, to show-stopping hero shots. As the team at Highclere Castle Gin put it:
“Alan is the best photographer I have worked with to date! He's quick, he understands what I want creatively and the process is seamless. His photography captures the essence of our brand and I strongly recommend him.”
Since our first collaboration, Highclere Castle Gin’s social following has grown significantly, supported by their premium content in alignment to their brand identity.
