Malcolm Birkett Photography

Jubilee Pancakes and All Day Breakfasts!

The team were delighted to be asked to shoot the new Little Chef menus with Iris Associates - the brand has undergone a complete transformation thanks in part to Heston Blumenthal's input. Memories of All Day Breakfasts were quickly replaced with their great new food range including steak & ale pie, fish and chips and delicious sausage & mash!

MBP Studios provided a perfect solution for the latest Little Chef Menu photography. A great team in a great space."
David Wood, Iris Associates

Malcolm is the best man!

When lifelong friend and social photographer Stuart Ainslie asked Malcolm to be his best man how could he refuse? Especially when he was told the selected venue was to be Mauritius! Throwing down the gauntlet to be a wedding photographer for the day too, Malcolm rose to the challenge!

...and they say 'never work with children and animals...?!'

Always keen to accept a challenge, MBP have recently completed new photography for leading schoolwear supplier Banner plc. Working with Gerry and the team at Vivid Creative, this fabulous project was handled by the production team at MBP from start to finish and, apart from the odd rainy day, went very smoothly!

"We need our photographers to be able to provide solutions to problems - not to just turn up with a camera. If you need input, total job management and a good atmosphere to work in, then look no further than MBP."
Gerry Acari, Vivid Creative

All that glitters...?!

Well it may not have been real gold but when the visuals arrived to shoot a range of images for Carrs to appear in Harrods magazine, the splash of gold really saw us scratching our heads! The result? Studio 3 covered in polythene and Heidi covered in gold paint! Well we always said she had the Midas touch!

MBP jump in to bed!

MBP have been selected to work with industry leaders Turner Bianca after a sucessful test pitch. Shooting an exciting new range of bedding, including the prestigious Dorma brand.

MBP were selected after an impressive test pitch and also after demonstrating their ability to create beautiful roomsets within a tight deadline and within our budget. They also have the best facilities we've ever used, not to mention the jam doughnuts!.
Helen Barlow, Brand Manager.

Getting into fashion!

Working with Matt and the team at Whitenoise, we created a fabulous catwalk set at MBP and produced a set of short clips for web. Malcolm was thrilled to be a director for the day but couldn't keep his hands off the wind machine! click here to view the clips.

Malcolm tests with Donny!

No...not Osmond or Darko, but a local character known to everyone simply as 'Donny'! As part of a personal project, the team spent the day with this fascinating character who lives on the edge of the Rochdale Moor and proved to be one of the most interesting people we've ever worked with!

Thanks Donny!

Onwards and upwards with Whitenoise

MBP are pleased to announce a new digital offering in association with our partners at Whitenoise TV. We have teamed up to combine our talents and offer video production and editing in conjunction with this established company, optimising the roomsets and resources MBP already offers and increasing the range of options available to our clients. click here to see the showreel.

Waxing Lyrically

Working with award-winning agency Iris Associates, we've completed a new brochure for Wax Lyrical representing an exciting new look for the one of the largest candle manufacturers in the world. The brief was simple enough - make us look fabulous!

Colony have worked with MBP now on our last two brochures and we're delighted with their dedication in providing the best possible results..
Zoe Griffiths, Marketing Manager, Colony Candles.

We’re all heart!

MBP were delighted to receive a call from our friends at the Variety Club asking us to help out with the Gold Hearts chairty appeal. We were privedged to work with Coleen Rooney and Variety Club, not to mention a lot of fabulous kids that kept Malcolm and JP on their toes all day! Click here for more information.

MBP goes 360!

We're pleased to announce that we're now able to offer 360° 'QTVR' image files specifically for web use, in order that our clients can offer their online products in more detail than ever before. We've been inundated with requests to provide files ranging from teddy bears to tents!

In response, we've also launched a new company, Quickimage, to provide a cost effective web solution - in addition to QTVR we can supply simple product photography at competitive prices including collection and delivery. Click here for more information.

Making a Stand at ECMOD ‘08.

Our exhibition stand at the recent ECMOD '08 show was a huge success - if only there had been a prize for 'best stand'!

Delegates from across the catalogue and multi-channel industries attended the show at Earls Court; between seminars they thronged to the new MBP stand for our wonderful icecream, coffee and, of course, to enjoy our company!

Whilst on the stand, delegates were given a preview of the stunning new portfolios as well as seeing the glowing testimonials offered by many of our existing clients, which sparked the concept 'love MBP'.

If you'd like to 'feel the love' then drop us a line and we'll be in touch!. We're looking forward to following up on all the new contacts we made at the show - hopefully you'll enjoy working with us as much as you enjoyed the ice cream!

Images of the show are available on our client ftp (username:ecmod, password: 2008).

This year we're exhibiting at ECMOD 2008 at Earls Court on 1st & 2nd October.

As well as an opportunity for you to meet the team again and enjoy an ice cream or coffee with us, we'll also be presenting our new portfolios and refreshed brand identity.

As you know, the show is a great chance to see new ideas, especially for the home shopping industry, and share a bit of gossip...sorry...network with industry associates!

Malcolm wins Olympic gold!

When Scotts of Stow chairman Nigel Swabey invited Malcolm to his beautiful villa in the South of France to celebrate a certain birthday milestone, little were we to know he would return as an Olympic champion! While not quite the real Olympics, the party celebrations included certain events to be included in L'Escarene Olympiques - a series of competitions, which included a diving competition won by Malcolm with a dive of over 30ft!

Thanks to Nigel, Michelle and their family for a wonderful party (we're just hoping Malcolm doesn't start building a pool in the car park!).

Continuing Our Expansion

Only two more units to go and we'll have the whole block! That's the situation here at New Hall Hey Business Park as MBP continues to expand. The reason's simple - due to our workload we need more space so when the opportunity to acquire an additional unit came along we jumped at it!

Our new studio is primarily equipped for shooting large roomsets but, to coin a phrase, what will hold a lot will hold a little, so Studio 6 will also be used as for smaller sets and table-top shots as and when required. In fact, we had only just picked up the keys when setbuild started on a fabulous kitchens brochure and, typically, it hasn't been empty since!

If you would like to arrange a visit and have a tour of the facilities here at MBP, just give us a call or drop us a line.

'Catwalk' Model Visits MBP

Good job 'studio dogs' Gucci and Nancy weren't in residence for the day, when the latest 'Catwalk' model made an appearance here at MBP. The model in question was Tigger, a tabby from the Bleakholt animal sanctuary in Ramsbottom, and the cat certainly caused quite a stir when she came to the studio for a recent shoot.

Tigger performed brilliantly on the day, with none of the 'fur-flying' that is sometimes associated with models, but it has to be said that the brief wasn't the most taxing for the relaxed feline.

The shoot involved Tigger (who became Henry for the day) lying in a fleecy, cat bed whilst the girls in the studio preened and petted her. Sounds like the perfect job.

Anyone interested in giving the perfectly behaved Tigger, or any of the animals at Bleakholt a home, visit the sanctuary's website at www.bleakholt.org or give them a call on 08700 620530.

Vorsprung Durch Technik?

All the completed questionnaires from our recent online survey have been collated, digested and considered, and we would like to thank everyone who took part.

The survey did make very interesting reading and offered a unique insight into the way in which we are perceived by our clients - which in 99% of cases was nothing short of excellent and this is obviously something which we will be looking to build on. "If you snooze, you lose" is an oft quoted adage that sums up our approach to continually building and maintaining effective working relationships and again, this approach was something that was highlighted as being very much appreciated by our clients.

In every case, the feedback reported that our clients would recommend us to a colleague but it seems from the comments that one of the main issues we need to look at is the presentation of our brand. So, with this very much in mind, we are about to embark on a period of brand development, to reinforce our position as one of the leading photographic studios in the North West.

It was interesting to note that in most cases the make of car we were likened to was an Audi, which of course is renowned for reliability with a creative edge. In terms of the recommendations for improvement, we can't promise an art director's massage booth or free champagne before, during and after every shoot - as some requested.

However, we can promise that we will take all the feedback on-board and continue to provide the first class service that our clients have come to expect from every member of our team.

10 years ago..

Almost 10 years ago when we were all a little younger and none the wiser, a tall but very shy 13 year old girl turned up at MBP to start her work experience. She was asked if she had an interest in photography and she told us that actually what she really wanted to be was a model. Well her tea making might have been pretty awful but now that Agyness Dean struts the worlds catwalks and has been voted world's top model amongst other accolades, I guess she's not that worried!

Well done Laura!

Hopwood Hall Superstars

MBP were commissioned by The Image Works to shoot for a new recruitment campaign for Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale. Following a casting at the college to find individuals with great personalities to best express what being a Hopwood Hall student is all about, the 'Faces of '08' were selected and treated to a fabulous day.

The superstars arrived at MBP in a stretched limo and were greeted to full red carpet treatment, with Liz and Cheryl transforming them into supermodels!

As well as posing for photos that will soon feature on billboards, prospectuses and mailers over the coming months, the students were also filmed and interviewed.

Thanks to The Image Works for an inspired concept and well done to all the students and staff at Hopwood Hall College.

A new arrival at MBP

We're pleased to announce a new addition to the MBP team. Nancy has recently joined us and will be working closely with Gucci to make sure shoes are properly chewed, biscuits are pinched off sets when nobody's looking, and has already had her first modelling assignment.

Cute eh?!

IWP's on Vanity Hall bathroom shoot

"As Creative Director, I need our photographers to constantly push the boundaries of creativity - as owner of the business I have to be aware of our suppliers costs.

MBP ticks all the right boxes - Malcolm and his team make it easy for our business to look good, while remaining competitive in the marketplace. The work done recently for Vanity Hall is an excellent example - add to that the easy view, select and download facility of mbp2online and the whole service is pretty much unbeatable. And the sandwiches are good too. Go for the 'Quattro'."

Andy Irving, IWP

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at MBP!

This year, rather then sending wine and chocolates to everyone, we've decided to make Christmas a little special for children and their families who are not so lucky. So we're donating Oxfam and Save The Children Fund presents to The Third World instead.

To see in more detail the projects we are supporting please click here

MBP get 'shirty' on location

Rael Brook shirts have over the decades become synonymous with quality and style, enjoyed by men across the world and the company's new range of styles bear the hallmarks of quality shirt making - but with a modern twist. For Rael Brooks' first foray into the world of e-commerce, Altham based agency CW Advertising Limited turned to MBP to organise and carry out a location shoot at The Radisson Edwardian Hotel and into the streets of Manchester.

CW Advertising's Head of Strategic Marketing, Mark Wolstenholme commented: "The shoot was carried out with the same enthusiasm and creativity that MBP always bring to a project. When it comes to thinking on their feet, there is simply no one to beat MBP and we, along with the client, believe that this is shown in the results."

Kronospan's stylish new roomsets

"Kronospan are the world's leading laminate producer, and Connectpoint briefed MBP with producing photography to bring our new campaign to life. We needed a setbuild of titanic proportions and furniture design to appeal to our customer's cutting edge design tastes. Given the complexities of the brief we found working with MBP was seamless and professional in every sense. From project management of tight deadlines to around-the-clock set build, and the quality and finish of the photography speaks for its self. A great studio that should make an appearance in any agency's little black book of contacts" Andy Blagg, Connectpoint.

A fresh look for Crown Paints

Crown Paints have been making the world a more colourful place for years and MBP were delighted to be involved in producing a part of the fresh look for the packaging of their core product ranges. Working closely with the design team at Crown Paints we were briefed to produce photography with a contemporary twist on a floral theme using some very unusual blooms to represent the latest in interior fashions.

Debbie Lynch, Brand Manager at Crown Paints "The team at MBP gave Crown a creative interpretation of a comprehensive brief and we are absolutely thrilled with the results of the shoot. I would like to pass on our thanks for all their hard work and would work with MBP again in the future."

Play time for Senator

Senator the UK's largest office furniture manufacturer and longstanding client of MBP has recently launched 'Play', a new modular desking system. Malcolm and the team at MBP were asked to provide concepts for a set and shoot imagery for a new brochure to promote this exciting new range.

Louise Hadley, Marketing Manager commented: "We were thrilled to work with MBP again, the 'Play' images created by Malcolm and the team fulfilled a complicated and multi-layered brief and everyone is delighted with the results."

Award winning success for Scotts of Stow

MBP would like to congratulate Scotts of Stow on their recent win of the prestigious ECMOD 2007 Award in the Consumer category for Homewares.

Allie Oldham, Marketing Director: "The ECMOD award is in recognition of the success of the Scotts of Stow business - and takes into consideration many contributing factors - not least the new style catalogue. The team at MBP has played a major part in the depiction of our brand's image and we look forward to continuing our working relationship with them."

mbp2online goes live

We are pleased to announce that from 1st July 07 we are launching our online image asset management system mbp2online to all our valued clients.

mbp2online is unique resource that stores selected images online for you and your colleagues to view, select and download at any time from anywhere in the world. Images can be selected either by yourselves or by your chosen suppliers via a password protected client area and downloaded by broadband isp or ordered online for us to supply on CD/DVD.

This is a fantastic concept that delivers time and cost saving opportunities in addition to the convenience of a central pool of images which can be categorised to enable retrieval of you images.

Find out more about mbp2online