Capturing Smiles: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Recent Shoot for a Dental Surgery Launch

Published on Fri Sep 5, 2025 by David J Colbran
Last Updated on Tue May 5, 2026

Had a super month off, away from Liverpool, work and updating social media - but boom September hits and I am right back at it

There is something uniquely rewarding about photographing people in spaces where they feel confident, professional, and proud. That’s exactly the atmosphere I stepped into during a recent commission at a newly opened dental surgery — a sleek, modern practice blending cutting-edge care with a warm, welcoming environment. The commission was for MyDentist - the largest dental provider in the UK, with around 600 practices, who in 2022 treated over five million people.

From the initial consultation through to final delivery, this project offered a fantastic opportunity to tell a story — not just of the brand-new clinic, but of the team behind it and the experience they’ve crafted for their patients.

The Brief

The client needed a comprehensive professional photography package for their practice which included:

• Coverage of the official launch event - with speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony
• Professional staff portraits
• Staged treatment room shots to highlight the patient experience and showcase the clinic’s modern facilities

And all to be achieved in just 2 hours - from me it required flexibility, working efficiently, a keen eye for detail, and most importantly, the ability to put people at ease in front of the camera — something that’s often easier said than done in a clinical setting!

Launch Event: Candid Connections and First Impressions

The launch event was a fantastic way to start the shoot. The practice had invited company senior leaders and surgery staff to officially open the clinic.

I focused on capturing:

• Genuine, candid moments: speeches, handshakes, laughter, networking
• Detail shots of the launch décor, signage, and the all important ribbon cutting opening
• A few posed group shots for PR use

The energy was full of optimism, and I made it my mission to reflect that through warm tones, soft lighting, and natural interactions.

Staff Portraits: Putting Personalities in Focus

Next up were the staff portraits — a crucial part of the clinic’s branding. These would be used across their website, social media, and promotional materials, so it was important to capture not just professional headshots, but images that conveyed approachability and trust.

I shot a mixture of:

• Environmental portraits in treatment rooms and reception areas
• Group shots of the team together in action and in relaxed poses

To help the staff feel comfortable, I spent a bit of time chatting before each portrait, guiding them gently into poses and using minimal equipment to avoid that "over-produced" look.

Staged Treatment Shots: Creating Calm in a Clinical Setting

Finally, we moved on to the staged treatment photography. These are always a bit of a balancing act — showing enough clinical authenticity without making the viewer uncomfortable.

Using a staff member and a volunteer patient (who was fantastic, by the way!), we created a few narrative-style shots to show:

• The dentist greeting a patient
• Hygienic preparation and equipment use
• Treatment in progress, focusing on calm expressions and a clean, bright aesthetic
• Post-treatment consultation and digital imaging on-screen

In conclusion

A successful shoot that the client was really happy with. They received a wide range of photographs, with some priority images delivered within 2 hours of the shoot finishing and the full collection the next morning. It was really enjoyable working with the client's PR expert, who provided an excellent brief and some amazing organisations skills getting everything ready to shoot within a tight time frame.

If you planning a business launch, opening a new outlet or organising an event - give me a call to help you get some quality photography and the best content that will prove a ROI for all the marketing planning involved - and don't delay my diary this Autumn is looking pretty full.

Author: David J Colbran