Commemorative Photographs
In any scene of the Manor, your butler will take your photograph.
About Commemorative Photographs
A commemorative photograph is one your butler takes for you during your stay at The Salon, in any scene of the Manor, with your own smartphone or camera. The leather chair in the Study, the fireside, the armour, the double doors, the table: simply ask, wherever you wish. A photograph with your butler is taken once that butler's consent has been confirmed.
Is there a right moment to ask for a photograph?
A commemorative photograph at the Manor is not something fixed to a single spot decided in advance. The instant the door opens, the hands pouring your tea, your profile as you open a book in the Study, your ease before the fire. In any scene of your stay, whenever you feel a moment worth keeping, simply ask your butler.
Your butler takes your smartphone or camera and considers the direction of the light, the furnishings in the background and where you stand. There is no need to pose grandly. A natural picture as you carry on talking or reading, or a composed one before the double doors: we take whichever suits the mood you have in mind.
The butlers of Queen's Butler care not only about taking the picture, but about not breaking the flow of your time in the Manor. A quick photograph before the tea cools, or a considered one once the lights are set: we suggest what best suits the moment.
Read about your first visit to The Salon
Which setting gives which kind of photograph?
In the Study's leather chair, a quiet profile
The English desk, the black leather chair, books and a globe form the background. Your hands opening a book, or your profile at the desk, are kept in calm light.
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Before the fire, roses and lamplight
The flickering flames and the wine-red sofa make a soft background. It suits both a seated pose and standing with a rose in hand.
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Beside the armour, the threshold of the story
The knight's armour at the entrance to the Study marks the border between the everyday and the story of the Manor. With the depth of the gallery behind, your standing figure is kept with poise.
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At the double doors, a scene of welcome
Your butler opens the French oak double doors and receives you between them. The story of your arrival, held in a single frame.
Read moreFive steps from the wish for a photograph to checking the result
Ask your butler
You need not have a place in mind. Say that you would like to keep the moment, and your butler will suggest where.
Hand over your phone or camera
Your butler takes whatever you wish to use. If you have particular settings, or controls you would rather we not touch, please say so first.
Choose the background
Together we choose from the Study, the fire, the table, the gallery and more, to suit your dress and the mood you wish to keep.
Set the light and the position
Reading the light and the background, your butler guides you one point at a time: where to stand, where to rest your hands, where to turn your face.
Take a few frames
We take several, varying your gaze and your hands a little each time. With companions, we arrange positions in which everyone fits with ease.
Compare the Manor's scenes by the purpose of your photograph
| Scene | Furnishings in frame | Suited to | Your butler's part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Leather-topped desk, black leather chair, books, globe | Reading, letters, a profile | Sets the desk and offers a book or pen |
| Lounge | Mantelpiece, mirror, candelabra, red sofa | Relaxed poses, standing with a rose | Adjusts the lights and shows you to the sofa |
| Gallery | Knight's armour, longcase clock | Walking, full length, the story of arrival | Walks a little ahead, attending to doors and the way |
| Dining Room | Yew table, silver, porcelain, candelabra | Tea, the table, an anniversary seat | Handles the china, pours the tea, draws the chair |
| Double doors | French oak double doors | Welcome, farewell, a picture with your butler | Opens the doors and bows to set the scene |
Please enjoy the Manor's furnishings under your butler's guidance. The armour, longcase clock, porcelain and silver are handled by your butler.
What commemorative photographs include
- Taking photographs with your own smartphone or camera
- Keeping memories in any scene of the Manor, in the flow of your stay
- Brief suggestions from your butler on light, background and where to stand
- Photographs alone, with companions, or with your butler once their consent is given
- Natural pictures in the midst of your stay, over tea or a book
What to discuss with The Studio
- Using the Manor for long periods with photography as the main purpose
- Beginning a shoot with substantial equipment or many participants on the spur of the moment
- Photographing a butler's face recognisably without consent
For a full photo shoot
- Shoots in costume, with a photographer, bridal pre-wedding photographs and filming are handled by The Studio
- The Manor is never let unattended. A butler is present for Studio bookings too
- Please tell us the purpose, number of people, equipment and preferred date in advance so that we may confirm how the space can be used
How may I ask for a photograph with my butler?
A photograph with your butler is one that keeps the time you were attended, in a way that conveys the relationship between you and your butler. First, we confirm that butler's consent. You are welcome to ask, but we kindly request that you respect the butler's wishes as to how they appear and whether the picture may be shared.
A picture with your butler need not be the two of you standing side by side. A back turned to open the door, white gloves drawing a chair, hands pouring tea, a figure waiting a little behind you. Even without a face, there are compositions that tell of the time spent in your service at the Manor.
Both female and male butlers serve at the Manor. We ask your preference when you book, and explain what can be arranged on the day. Rather than staging a gesture for the camera, choose the most fitting moment from the way you are actually attended that day.
Understanding the butler
What should I prepare for a beautiful photograph?
| Camera | Please bring the smartphone or camera you normally use |
|---|---|
| Charge and storage | We suggest checking both before you arrive |
| Dress | Come as you would like to spend your time in the Manor. Your butler will suggest how it pairs with each background |
| Scenes in mind | Study, fire, armour, doors, table: if you have a preference, tell us when booking or on the day |
| Companions | For a group picture, your butler takes the camera and arranges where each of you stands |
| If you are not used to being photographed | Your butler guides your hands and gaze one step at a time. We begin from natural movements in the Manor, such as reading or tea, and if you feel nervous we can pause and return to conversation |
If photography itself is the purpose, we refer you to The Studio
Using The Studio means using the space chiefly to create photographs or film, rather than taking a keepsake in the course of your stay. Shooting in costume, entering with a photographer or crew, using lighting and equipment, bridal pre-wedding photographs: these are handled by The Studio, our rental space.
Commemorative photographs at The Salon keep the story of your stay unbroken, using the light and furnishings as they are. At The Studio, we confirm the purpose, number of people, scenes required and equipment in advance, and use the Manor around the shoot. If you are unsure which suits you, tell us the photographs you hope for and how you wish to spend the day.
Even for The Studio, the Manor is never let unattended. A butler is present and handles the armour, the longcase clock, the porcelain, the silver and the other furnishings, so that precious pieces are protected while scenes worthy of the Manor are created.
The Studio
QCan photographs be taken in any room?
Yes. Your butler will take your photograph in any scene of the Manor. Where furnishings must be touched, please follow your butler's guidance.
QWill you take the picture on my own smartphone?
Yes. Your butler takes your smartphone or camera. If you have preferences about how it is operated, please let us know before the photograph.
QCan I have photographs if I visit alone?
Of course. As your butler takes the picture, you can keep a full-length portrait or a natural moment in the Manor even when visiting alone.
QMay I be photographed with my butler?
Yes, once that butler's consent has been confirmed. We can also suggest compositions that show white gloves or a figure from behind without the face.
QMay I share the photographs?
When posting photographs taken in the Manor to social media or websites, please take care with what appears in the frame. If a butler's face is recognisable, please also confirm at the time whether it may be shared.
QWill the photographs turn out well on a rainy day?
As they are taken indoors, you may choose the Study, the fire or the table whatever the weather. Your butler reads the light of the day and guides where you stand.
You may also wish to read
Light and Composition in an Antique Manor
How to make the most of the Manor's light and furnishings, scene by scene.
Read more
Afternoon Tea
White-gloved hands pouring tea, and the hours of the three-tier stand.
Read more
A Cookery Lesson with Your Butler
From your hands at work to the table in the Dining Room, in your butler's company.
Read more
Your butler keeps the memory of your time in the Manor in a single frame
Whether you already know the scene you want or would rather choose on the day, tell us what you have in mind.