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This year, Light Locations is celebrating 25 years of representing beautiful, unique locations across the UK for photoshoots, filming, events and content creation. Now one of the most reputable location agencies, Light Locations carries a rich portfolio that has grown from strength to strength over the years, but none of this would have been possible without its very first location: Saltoun Road.
Located in Brixton, Saltoun Road was the kaleidoscopic home of an artist named Peter Armstrong. The walls were a living scrapbook; a collage of faces, art and inspiration that spread across the rooms in vivid technicolour. This was the vision of a collector, a curator of everyday inspiration that enveloped his dwelling with dramatic creative flair.
It was by chance that Sophie Hitchens, the founder of Light Locations, heard of this enigmatic property through her partner. After assisting photographers for over three years, she was on the lookout for a new venture and so decided to visit Saltoun Road in 2001. Peter asked Sophie if she might be able to get some photo shoots booked at his home, and as she drove away Sophie’s mind began to race with possibilities. She decided then and there to start up a location agency, even thinking up the name ‘Light Locations’ as the day came to a close.
Light Locations immediately stood out against the other agencies in the industry. It differed from the classic, large TV/film agencies and offered up something more quirky and authentic. No one had seen anything like Saltoun Road before; it was raw, organic and slightly dishevelled but such a hub of pure creativity that it quickly attracted the attention of multiple fashion publications.
The big break came when World of Interiors shot a front cover alongside a nine page feature on Saltoun Road. This gave Light Locations the exposure it needed to really get off the ground, and Sophie often thinks back fondly to this time when the business truly began and Peter’s home was so in demand.
Light Locations continued to excel as Sophie took on new locations and the company soon began to evolve into a more substantial agency, developing its ethos for excellent personal service alongside its growing portfolio of properties. The company’s client base quickly grew too, working with both well-established brands and independent creatives in London and across the UK.
Saltoun Road will always lie at the very heart of Light Locations, no matter how much time has passed. It was a place that celebrated the offbeat and unusual, a hidden gem that sparked imaginations despite its decidedly humble origins. As this agency’s portfolio grows and diversifies, there’s still always a place for locations of this kind. It serves as a wonderful reminder that creativity exists in many forms, and truly can come from anywhere.
Explore more unique spaces like Saltoun Road with the Top 5 Striking Locations for Statement Brands or Beautifully Distressed Locations for Striking Shoots.
Take a look at the most recent additions to the Light Locations portfolio in New Locations Not to be Missed.
Dream up a little more inspiration for dramatic walls with Five Paint and Wallpaper Favourites.
Find out more about Light Locations with Behind the Scenes: How a Shoot Day Works and How To Prepare a Location for a Photoshoot: Essential Tips.
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