Capturing Flavour & Feeling - A Visual storytelling session with an Ice Cream Café
A visual storytelling session with an Ice Cream Café.
When I first sat down with the passionate new owners of this Ice Cream Café, I knew this wasn’t going to be a standard commercial shoot. Their story was one of transformation- from a former bar and restaurant to a warm, welcoming space filled with sweetness and laughter. What they needed wasn’t just ‘‘photos’’ - they needed their brand story told with emotion, atmosphere, and authenticity.
Telling your story, building trust, and connecting emotionally.
The Consultation: Understanding Vision & Values
Before even picking up my camera, we had a detailed consultation. I wanted to understand not only their aesthetic preferences, but their why. Why switch to an ice cream café? What emotions did they want visitors to feel? What kind of experience were they hoping to offer their community?
Their vision was clear: they wanted to create a joyful, relaxed environment where families, friends, and locals could come together over handcrafted desserts. Authenticity and connection were at the heart of their brand.
The Approach: Lifestyle Over Posed
I approached this shoot with a documentary-style mindset- focusing on candid, real interactions rather than overly staged compositions. One of my core values as a photographer is capturing brands through honest moments. This meant being present, observant, and letting the story unfold naturally.
A candid moment
Whether it was the joyful smile of the server handing over a sundae, or the glow of the sunlight on the interior’s wooden textures, my goal was to frame what made their café different: the people, the heart, the mood.
The Shoot: Energy, Movement & Ice Cream
Throughout the shoot, I focused on three key areas:
Product Photography: Highlighting signature creations with a balance of elegance and indulgence.
Interior & Exterior: Documenting the space with a keen eye on lighting, textures, and layout.
Lifestyle & Team Moments: Capturing the team at work - laughing, interacting with customers, and bringing their brand to life.
The image featured above is one of my favourites from the day- it embodies everything this shoot was about: joy, teamwork, and the simple delight of dessert.
The Result: A Library of Brand Assets
The café now has a curated collection of high-quality, on-brand imagery to use across social media, website, and print materials. Even more importantly, these images reflect the true essence of who they are - and that kind of emotional storytelling is what connects with customers today.
This project reminded me why I love what I do. Photography, for me, is about telling stories that build trust and create emotional connection. Whether it’s an ice cream café or a corporate brand, the heart of every business deserves to be seen.