For some reason, in the dim and distant past I took on the role of sorting out these ads every month. I generally come up with the idea, sort out a location (always on the Burwash Manor site), get the props and then work with the photographer to realise the ‘idea’. Our present campaign entitled ‘where retail meets the countryside’ means that in general, I try and take one of the shops on site and present their ‘wares’ with the campaign concept. In reality this usually involves product, a field and some sort of reluctant farm animal or child (much the same, but smellier).
The weather is, of course, the biggest pain in the backside when trying to get these ads sorted and because this is all done in my spare time (which doesn’t exist), once a date for the photo shoot has been planned it goes ahead regardless (wave fist at sky defiantly). There was one day, early in May, predicted to be free from rain so I risked booking in Dan the photographer (www.mackandme.com) to try and get a shot for the June editions.
I wanted to do a Nest inspired ad using our Landover and given that no animals or children were involved, thought it might be straightforward. The basic idea was to stick the van in a field next to probably the only tree that had enough leaves to look vaguely summery and then hang our vintage furniture and other bits from the side of the van. So far, in my head, so good.
It started quite well...the main table got suspended and counter-balanced on the blind side by large weights. We then started adding lots more furniture, chairs, a tuba, anything really. We were just about to get the shot when a gust of wind blew the deckchair off the van. So we reset, nearly ready, then there was an enormous ‘twang’, followed by the table leaping off an embedding itself several inches into the waterlogged meadow.
After exchanging pleasantries with Dan about the delights of working on these exciting ads, I went and got some tow rope and re-hung the table.
Again, nearly ready and the ****ing deckchair took off again (this time selfishly taking some furniture with it) so we ended up nailing it to the van and finally getting some shots. Unfortunately the sun didn’t come out but it did rain the next day, and the next, and the next, and the next so I was at least chuffed we got something.
My wife is a darn good graphic designer and has been managing, over the years, to turn sometimes desperate photos hoots taken under extremes into really lovely ads; hopefully this will be one of them. Look out for our van in the June issue of Style!
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