Mel Yates Photography

Mel Yates Photography. Be moving, be still, be social, be seen.

When Mel Yates and his team are not producing one of the DESIGN POD podcast episodes with editor Hamish Kilburn, they’ll likely be on a stills or video shoot – or editing a film or social media content – for one of their many other clients who include (in A, B, C…)  Architectural Digest, British Airways, (The) Crown Estate, through to hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Kimpton, One & Only. The other letters of the alphabet can be filled with many great commissions from Elle Decoration, Harrods, (The) New York Times, Patek Philippe, (The) Royal College of Art, Vogue and others. To round off the A,B,C, Yates has also shot ads for ZSL. “A close up portrait of a giraffe was a challenge, but we really love challenges,” Yates told Hotel Designs.

Image caption: Kimpton Manchester. | Image credit: Mel Yates Photography

The photographer originally trained as a designer at Central St Martins – so having a daily involvement with the world of design feels totally natural, and he has a real understanding of the design process and the passion that designers bring to their work.

“We love hotels and we love design.” – Mel Yates, Founder, Mel Yates Photography.

First working as a commercial stills photographer in the diverse fields of interiors, still life and celebrity portraiture, Yates started making short films in 2010 – his first commission was a film with designer Kelly Hoppen, who he has since shot dozens of projects for around the world, and continues to work with regularly.

Yate’s experience runs into 1,000’s of stills shoots and more than 100 short films, but it’s always the one happening right now that’s the most important and the most exciting and has infinite potential.

Mel Yates Photography’s regular team also includes Freya looking after all the logistics and Mark, the team’s video postproduction manager – who when he’s not with Yates is editing trailers for Hollywood movies. In addition, the brand also work regularly with – and has quick and personal access to – a wonderful collection of talents in the fields of sound, graphics, drone flying, animation, styling, scriptwriting, etc – whatever each project may require.

Image caption: Suite inside Chateau Denmark, designed by Taylor Howes Design. | Image credit: Mel Yates Photography

“We don’t think of ourselves as just photographers or video makers that record what’s in front of them, rather as storytellers who strive to fully understand the subject and then communicate it in the most effective ways,” the photographer adds. “Our aim is to create both stills photography and a range of video (promo and social) that are fully compatible – to the same high standard, with the same aesthetic, on the same shoot.”

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