Advanced Actuators

Brochure & Website Photoshoot

Advanced ActuatorsAdvanced Actuators HQ

Recently I worked with Samantha Willhoughby at 1017Marketing on some new imagery for her client Advanced Actuators based in Silsden, just outside Keighley. Sam who is somewhat of a marketing guru in the area of fluid dynamics & engineering engaged me to initially shoot some new images for a company brochure. I always enjoy working with experts in their field like Sam as you just know lots of planning and client meetings have gone on beforehand to ensure a perfect shoot day. This is normally accompanied with an easy to follow photographers brief for me to work to.  

I am pleased to report that my images have now also been used for a new company website which launched last week.

Advanced Actuators Ltd (originally Elram International) is a leading supplier of actuators, control solutions and hydraulic components. Since 1969, they have been serving specialist, niche markets in the oil and gas, nuclear, power, water and bulk material handling sectors and are renowned for making things move in some of the remotest and challenging environments!

Based in the UK but with a dedicated network of distributors globally, they have become one of the world’s leaders in electro-hydraulic engineering, serving clients in the Middle East, Far East, Australia and Europe.

AA as they I call them offer both standard and bespoke actuators and systems with some products of their standard range available on short delivery times.

The main focus of the shoot (pardon the pun, who me:)) was really to emphasis some of AA's key products but in a more lifestyle way rather than all simply catalogue shots. So the idea was to have shots of the products being assembled and serviced and include some "human" interaction. Before you can build a product of course you firstly need a design, so it was here in the design studio that I set up my first shot.

Shooting computer screens is always a challenge when it comes to controlling reflections etc as you really need a strong on screen image to draw the eye in. This calls for some creative lighting as you still require light on your subject whilst maintaining a reflection free screen!

MAF-39 Following on from the design studio its onto the shop floor to scout for potential product action shots. A good tour round the factory is always to be recommended before even getting the camera out so that I can plan my shots and not waste precious staff time.

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It's a good idea when visiting factories to keep the majority of shots quite tight. This ensures background distractions are kept to a minimum and along with some creative composition and lighting, more emphasis can be put on the product.

MAF-90 Another great detail to get into a shot when shooting for marketing materials is the company branding on staff workwear. Anything that helps strengthen the companies brand awareness should be captured. Producing shots with staff at work also helped to portray the servicing facility that the company also has to offer, which they do both on and off site.

Then finally its onto few more standard product shots some in a more lifestyle factory setting whilst others more studio based. Once again ensuring that the companies logo was clear & easy to read on their products. 

MAF-118 MAF-125   To read more about what services and Products Advanced Actuators can provide please see their website here where you can also download their brand new brochure too! 

If you wish to speak to Sam at 1017 about your companies marketing requirements please see here: and of course if you are interested in a commercial photography shoot from myself why not visit my sample gallery here: and then drop me a line at [email protected]. Many thanks for reading!