The Orangery @ Siddington Park

Three shoots. One cohesive visual identity. A content library that transformed how The Orangery shares their story online.

Working with Sally, Danijel and the team at The Orangery has been such a joy. There’s something incredibly special about capturing a dining experience that blends seasonal, elegant dishes with the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Siddington Park. From the outset, our collaboration was rooted in clarity, creativity and care – and bringing their culinary story to life through photography has been a true privilege.

the challenge

The Orangery offers an exceptional dining experience – but their existing imagery wasn’t telling that story. Before we began, their visuals lacked the sophistication and consistency needed to reflect the quality of their seasonal menus, the elegance of their spaces and the warmth of their service.

They needed more than just beautiful photographs. They needed a strategic visual identity that would:

  • Elevate their brand perception: showing prospective residents and guests the calibre of dining at Siddington Park
  • Support their content strategy: giving their new content creator a versatile library to draw from
  • Work seamlessly across platforms: from website hero images to social media stories
  • Capture the full experience: private dining elegance, terrace dining warmth, and the craftsmanship in every dish

“My first reaction was honestly ‘wow!’ The colours, lighting and detail made the dishes stand out – they were even better than I expected.”

In hospitality, first impressions start long before someone walks through the door – and The Orangery needed imagery that could carry that first impression with confidence.

The brief was clear: create imagery that feels sophisticated yet inviting, polished yet full of personality — a true representation of what makes The Orangery special.

“The images are fantastic and ready to use online and across social media – it’s given us a strong visual presence.”

  • Roasted Aubergine -Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding - Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer
  • A chef serves a seared salmon fillet with seasonal greens and a glass of white wine at a fine dining restaurant table, styled for an elegant hospitality setting. Photographed by Lou Carruthers, hospitality and food photographer.
  • Roast Chicken -Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer
  • Overhead view of a gourmet tasting menu featuring colourful seasonal dishes, including beetroot salad, seafood terrine, and pasta with fresh herbs, in a fine dining setting. Photographed by Lou Carruthers, hospitality and food photographer.
  • Roast Pork Sunday Lunch -Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer

My first reaction was honestly ‘wow!’ The colours, lighting and detail made every dish stand out, and the images were even better than I expected. The whole experience was detailed, friendly and relaxed – Lou genuinely cares about getting everything just right. The mood board and plan were incredibly clear, and the results have given us a strong visual presence online. I couldn’t recommend her more.

sally Goddard, rangeford villages

The CREATIVE APPROACH

Great food photography isn’t just about making dishes look delicious. It’s about capturing the feeling of being there – the anticipation, the atmosphere, the moment.

Strategic Planning
Before picking up the camera, we invested time in understanding The Orangery’s story, their seasonal approach, and their visual aspirations. The result was a comprehensive shoot plan that included detailed mood boards, lighting references and a clear schedule across three distinct sessions.

This upfront clarity meant everyone knew exactly what to expect — and every detail felt intentional.

“The moment that really stood out was receiving the brief – the mood board and plan were incredibly detailed and made everything clear and easy to follow.”

Each shoot was designed around emotion: the joy of a beautifully plated dish, the comfort of a shared table, the sense of occasion that defines dining at The Orangery.

The Details That Matter
Success in food photography comes down to the moments between the moments:

  • Lighting choices that enhanced natural textures without overpowering them.
  • Styling decisions that added depth without distraction – seasonal elements, natural materials, refined tableware.
  • Composition techniques that guided the eye to what matters most: the food, the atmosphere, the experience.
  • Consistent editing that created visual cohesion across all three shoots.

“The diversity between the first light, airy shoot and the second darker, more sophisticated photography was amazing.”

  • Sommelier pouring red wine into a glass beside a roasted lamb rack with seasonal vegetables in an upscale restaurant. Captured by Lou Carruthers, specialist in hospitality and food photography.
  • Staff member presenting a colourful beetroot, orange and goats’ cheese salad at The Orangery, Siddington Park, captured in a refined restaurant setting.
  • Outdoor dining scene with small plates of Mediterranean dishes, including grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, and salads, paired with white wine and water. Photographed by Lou Carruthers, hospitality and food photographer.
  • Afternoon Tea -Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer
  • Superfood Salad - Siddington Park Restaurant Photography - Lou Carruthers Photography - Cotswold Food Photographer

The Results

The final collection gave The Orangery exactly what they needed: a rich, versatile visual library that feels true to their identity and supports their storytelling across every channel.

What The Imagery Now Supports

  • Social media content planning (months of posts in the bank)
  • Website refresh with hero images and gallery sections Internal communications and resident materials
  • Marketing collateral for events and seasonal promotions
  • Streamlined workflow for their content creator

The Impact
Beyond the practical applications, the imagery has shifted how The Orangery presents itself. Where inconsistency once existed, there’s now confidence. Where words tried to convey quality, photographs now show it instantly.

The visual foundation is in place – and it’s already making a difference in how residents, guests, and prospective diners perceive The Orangery’s offering.

“Lou is talented, approachable, attentive and genuinely cares about every detail. The whole process was relaxed, well-organised and enjoyable – and the results speak for themselves.”

  • lose-up of a fresh tomato and mozzarella small plate with basil oil and micro herbs at Siddington Park, styled as part of an outdoor dining experience
  • Overhead shot of pan-seared salmon served with tortellini, peas and seasonal greens at The Orangery, Siddington Park, with wine glasses styled on the table
  • Overhead shot of pan-seared salmon served with tortellini, peas and seasonal greens at The Orangery, Siddington Park, with wine glasses styled on the table
  • Chef grilling seasoned meat over open flames on a barbecue grill, capturing the heat and smoke of outdoor cooking for a hospitality menu. Photographed by Lou Carruthers, hospitality and food photographer.
  • Lou Carruthers – Server at The Orangery, Siddington Park, presenting a vibrant green pea and courgette risotto garnished with micro herbs, captured in a clean hospitality service setting.

Final thoughts

It’s always a privilege to be invited into someone’s space to tell their story – and The Orangery has felt like a place where stories naturally gather.

Working with Sally, Danijel and the team has been an absolute pleasure. Collaborations like this remind me why I love photographing hospitality – it’s not just about the dishes; it’s about the atmosphere, the welcome, the craft and the stories shared around the table.

Every shoot was a chance to capture not just food, but feeling. That blend of taste, place and moment is at the heart of everything I create – and The Orangery has been the perfect canvas for it.

Ready to Transform Your Visual Story?

If your dining experience deserves imagery that captures its true character – through warmth, craft and thoughtful storytelling — I’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re launching a new menu, refreshing your brand, or building a content library that works as hard as you do, let’s create something beautiful together.

lou x

let’s chat