When heritage brewery brand Lion Brewery Co contacted me to photograph their presence at the renowned Bearded Theory Festival, I knew this was going to be a fun project to be part of.
My brief was to create authentic festival photography that captured the atmosphere, energy, and real moments unfolding around the brand at the festival, and to produce imagery that could be used across Lion Brewery Co’s online and social media presence.
Photographing Bearded Theory Festival at Catton Park
For anyone unfamiliar with Bearded Theory Festival, it takes place within the stunning 250-acre Catton Hall and Park estate, nestled in the heart of the National Forest on the border of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and the West Midlands.
The festival has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most loved independent music festivals, attracting thousands of music lovers every year. Interestingly, it’s also within a two-hour drive for almost 50% of the UK population, making it one of the most accessible major festivals in the country.
With sunshine, live music, craft beer, and an incredible atmosphere, it provided the perfect setting for documentary-style event photography.
Working with Lion Brewery Co
Lion Brewery Co has an incredibly rich history dating back to 1836, when the brewery was originally founded on the banks of the River Thames in London. The company was one of the early pioneers helping shape the booming global IPA market before the brand eventually became dormant in 1949.
After nearly 70 years, the brewery was revived in 2018 in Singapore, famously known as “The Lion City.”
As someone who lives in Burton upon Trent, often referred to as “the brewing capital of the world”, and as a keen beer enthusiast myself, this assignment immediately felt like the perfect fit.
Documentary Event Photography
The creative brief from Lion Brewery Co was clear from the outset: document the authentic culture and atmosphere of the festival while keeping the brand naturally embedded within the experience - which is exactly the type of work I love.
As a documentary photographer, I’m always looking for genuine, unscripted moments rather than overly staged imagery. My approach is to observe, anticipate, and react to what’s unfolding naturally, allowing real interactions, expressions, and energy to guide the storytelling.
Over the five hours I was booked to photograph the festival, the atmosphere steadily built throughout the afternoon and evening. Festival-goers relaxed in the sunshine with cold beers in hand, music filled the air, and the entire site had an incredibly warm and welcoming energy.
One of the standout aspects of the event was how friendly everyone was. Whether I was capturing candid interactions or stopping people briefly for quick environmental portraits, everyone was more than happy to get involved and contribute to the story of the day.
Why Professional Event Photography Matters
Professional event photography is about far more than simply documenting what happened.
Strong imagery helps brands communicate atmosphere, emotion, and experience, creating visual content that feels authentic and engaging across web, social media and future marketing materials.
For festivals, live events, hospitality brands, and breweries in particular, high-quality photography can help audiences feel connected to the experience and builds long-term brand identity.
Looking for a Staffordshire-based Event Photographer?
If you’re organising a festival, live event, brand activation, brewery event, or corporate gathering and need natural, documentary-style photography that captures real moments and genuine atmosphere, I’d love to hear more about your plans.
Get in touch today to discuss your event photography requirements, and to check my availability.