Portrait Photography in Warwick, Leamington Spa & the Cotswolds
Hand-crafted cinematic portraits on real film
Cinematic portraits, made on real film
Liquid Light Whisperer creates portraits the way cinema creates stories — with light, atmosphere and permanence. Every portrait is photographed on real film, developed and scanned in-house at Liquid Light Lab.
This is not fast-turnaround studio work. It is craft. Each portrait is carefully built using light, direction and film stock to create something lasting. Whether photographed in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, or the Cotswolds, your session is designed to give you more than a photo: a cinematic portrait that holds presence.
Why choose Liquid Light Whisperer?
Cinematic craft — Portraits shaped with cinematic lighting, not flat studio setups.
Film, not filters — Captured on 35mm, medium and large format film for colour and black & white that digital cannot replicate.
In-house development — Your negatives are hand-developed and scanned at Liquid Light Lab to a standard beyond standard lab output.
Location expertise — Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford, Kenilworth, the Cotswolds: I scout spaces that fit the tone of your portrait.
Timeless permanence — Every session produces a physical negative. Your portrait will exist as an artefact, not just a file.
Competence you can see — All work on this site — shooting, developing, scanning — is done by me. No outsourcing, no shortcuts.
“Martin made it easy and fun, and the photos feel timeless. Nothing felt posed. Just us, captured beautifully on film.”
-Anna Shahan, Family Portrait Shoot on Location
“Martin’s work is cinematic and full of atmosphere. He photographed me and my husband beautifully. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
- Bridgett Riley, Actress (Watchmen, Bad Boys 3, Transformers, Star Trek), and World Boxing Champion
Where I work
I shoot on location across Warwickshire, the West Midlands and the Cotswolds.
Warwick & Leamington Spa — historic architecture, cobbled streets, gardens and riverbanks.
Stratford-upon-Avon — Tudor backdrops and riverside light.
The Cotswolds — stone villages, open fields, atmospheric woodland.
Further afield — shoots can be arranged across the UK on request.
Each location offers a different cinematic quality, from dramatic historic ruins to quiet light.
Portraits that last
A portrait shoot with Liquid Light Whisperer is about permanence.
Every frame counts — film is finite, every exposure considered.
The negative is proof — a tangible artefact that guarantees your portrait exists.
Made to endure — TIFF scans, fine-art prints, and archived negatives mean your portraits remain available long after trends pass.
The process
Consultation — We discuss style, wardrobe and locations in Warwickshire or beyond.
Shoot — Cinematic direction and natural or shaped light are used to create portraits with depth and atmosphere.
Film development — Negatives are developed in-house using specialist chemistry (C-41, ECN-2 or B&W developers like 510 Pyro).
Scanning & delivery — High-resolution TIFFs and JPEGs are provided, suitable for print, archive and digital use.
Optional prints — Fine-art prints available, crafted for permanence.
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Yes. Every portrait is made on film, developed and scanned in-house at the Liquid Light Lab. No digital filters or presets.
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Most sessions are on location in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford or the Cotswolds. I select spaces that suit the mood and light. Studio time is also available; all that matters is how you want to be photographed.
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Yes. I shoot on Kodak Vision3 for cinematic colour, and classic stocks like Ilford HP5 or Kodak Double-X for timeless black & white.
Film can be combined - why choose?
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Turnaround is typically 2–3 weeks, depending on film development and scanning. Rush services may be available.
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You will receive high-resolution TIFFs and JPEGs suitable for print and digital. Fine-art prints & photo books are available as an upgrade.
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Negatives are archived securely, so future re-scans or prints can be ordered.
If desired, and upgrade may be purchased to turn your negatives into a boxed gift set.
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Yes. Travel across the Cotswolds, West Midlands and UK is available. Travel costs may apply.
Give the gift of a cinematic portrait — hand-crafted on real film, developed and scanned in-house at Liquid Light Whisperer. This voucher covers a relaxed portrait session (30–45 minutes) in Warwickshire or surrounding areas.
The session includes:
One roll of medium format film or two rolls of 35mm
Hand-processed negatives in our own Liquid Light Lab
Premium scans delivered as highest-resolution image files
Private online gallery for download and sharing
Every frame is photographed on real film stock, developed in-house, and scanned to a standard far beyond typical labs.
Perfect as an introduction to cinematic film portraiture — an experience and an heirloom in one.
Looking for something more bespoke or detailed? Explore the Signature Portrait Voucher
Portrait sessions available
Individual portraits — cinematic headshots, editorial-style images, or personal portraits.
Couples & families — portraits with atmosphere, avoiding clichés.
Creative/editorial commissions — for artists, musicians, performers and professionals seeking a distinctive image.
Because Life Doesn’t Pause — Portraits Crafted to Endure
Life doesn’t pause. Children grow, families change, moments pass. A portrait is more than a photograph — it’s a way of holding on to today before it becomes memory.
Every session I shoot is crafted on real film, developed and scanned in-house, and made to last for decades. If you’re ready for portraits with permanence, now is the time.
Portrait commissions start at £150. Each session is crafted on film, developed and scanned in-house, and preserved as both high-resolution files and archived negatives. Fine-art prints and extended sittings are available on request.
Give the Gift of Cinematic Portraiture
This Christmas, offer something more lasting than the usual gifts. A cinematic portrait session is not just a photograph — it is an experience, created on real film, hand-developed in our own lab, and finished to a standard beyond digital convenience.
Our new Cinematic Portrait Gift Vouchers make it possible to give that experience to someone you value. Each voucher covers a complete film-based portrait session, from the shoot itself to the final scans or fine art prints. Every package is created with the same craft: film stock selected for mood, hand processing in our Liquid Light Lab, and high-resolution scans that capture the full cinematic depth of each frame.
Whether for a family member, partner, or friend, this is a gift that lasts far beyond Christmas: portraits with permanence, made with the same medium as cinema itself. You will be sent a beautiful gift certificate to give, with the chosen package details, booking instructions, and validity period clearly printed. The certificate itself is designed to reflect the care of the experience — elegant, timeless, and ready to present.
A portrait experience unlike any other. The Signature Voucher covers a full session (up to 2 hours) either on location or in studio, with time to explore different looks and lighting.
Our most popular session includes:
Two to three rolls of film — colour and B&W, chosen for mood and tone
Hand development in our own Liquid Light Lab
Highest-resolution scans of your images
A 12×8 fine art print of your choice, crafted on archival paper
Private online gallery with downloadable scans
Every portrait is photographed with cinema’s own materials — film stocks still used by directors worldwide. No filters, no presets. Just authentic colour and timeless monochrome.
Want to see what the full cinematic experience includes? Discover the Luxe Gift Voucher
For those who want the complete experience. The Luxe Voucher is a half-day cinematic portrait session, tailored to the individual. It includes a full consultation, extended shooting time, and a complete set of finished portraits.
The session includes:
Up to four rolls of film — a curated mix of colour and B&W stocks
Hand development and scanning in our Liquid Light Lab
Premium photo scans delivered at maximum resolution
A set of three archival prints (12×8) or one statement-size wall print
Private online gallery and digital delivery
This is the closest you can come to a cinematic portrait commission outside of the film industry itself — every frame hand-crafted to permanence.
Prefer a refined option with the same craft and atmosphere at a simpler level? Explore the Signature Portrait Voucher
