Capturing Light-Based Art Installations

Canary Wharf Winter Lights

Photographing the Canary Wharf Winter Lights is a race against time and curiosity. Each year, the installations transform the area into a dazzling playground of light and reflection. Our challenge is to capture this magic before the public can see it.

Because the installation has not yet been turned on for the public, the lights are quickly turned on so our team can quickly capture the breathtaking images. Photographer David Parry worked quickly, leveraging his experience to adapt to unfamiliar displays in real-time. The reflective surfaces of the waterways surrounding Canary Wharf became a vital asset, amplifying the vibrant colours and dramatic contrasts of the lights.

Seeing the lights for the first time on the shoot, David relied on intuition and technical expertise. His ability to compose images that balanced the installations with their surroundings ensured the photos captured the event’s full allure. These images didn’t just highlight the artistry, they provided the first glimpse of a stunning event ready to inspire media coverage and audience anticipation.

These photos have been featured in The Times, The Sunday Post, and City AM.

Soil at Somerset House

Step insideSoilat Somerset House, and the darkness envelops you. The exhibition’s celebration of earth’s foundational role in life creates an introspective, moody atmosphere. But capturing that atmosphere on camera was anything but straightforward.

Photographer David Parry was tasked with illuminating shadowy, projection-heavy installations in ways that made them visually compelling without losing their intricate details. Working ahead of the press preview, he incorporated a model to interact with the art, introducing scale and a human touch to the visuals.

In an environment where too much darkness could spell disaster for print photography, David’s skill in balancing light and shadow was key. The resulting images were rich in texture and vibrancy, translating the immersive feel of the exhibition into a dynamic visual story. Outlets like The London Evening Standard, The Guardian, The Observer, The Yorkshire Post, Western Morning News, and The Herald embraced the photographs, underscoring their success in making this new exhibition shine.

Here We Glow at Westfield London

Westfield London’sHere We Glowbrought bold, larger-than-life installations to life in its inaugural showcase. Spanning both indoor and outdoor spaces, the event’s mix of luminous art and architectural backdrops presented an exciting challenge.

One indoor piece relied entirely on reflections rather than emitted light. Capturing it required close collaboration with the artist to find angles that fully revealed its intricate interplay of mirrors and light. The results were striking: images that made the viewer pause and explore the subtle layers of the installation.

Meanwhile, the outdoor works, some displayed in the UK for the first time, demanded a different approach. Photographer Doug Peters used Westfield’s expansive spaces to showcase the scale and energy of the exhibits, making each piece feel grand yet accessible.

The dynamic, varied images broughtHere We Glowto life across press and social media, capturing the artistry and ambition of the installations and positioning Westfield as a vibrant cultural destination. The photos have been featured by more than 20 online publications.