Maison Bengal Commercial Photography, Suffolk

I’m always a champion for local Suffolk businesses. Maison Bengal, in Rendlesham near Woodbridge, is a local business with an international, ethical outlook.

Maison Bengal sells fair trade bags, baskets and crafts made from locally grown natural materials.

The story behind the brand

It was first established in 2004 to help fight poverty in Bangladesh. Director Sheenagh Day was struck by the talent of the weaving and basket making artists she met while working in some of the poorest areas of the country. She built a social enterprise that now provides a decent, reliable wage to over two thousand women, letting them work from home while caring for and supporting their families.

What struck me most when I first met Sheenagh was her enthusiasm for the products. When a client is genuinely passionate about what they make, it’s easy to build a rapport and get a real feel for what they need.

Photographing the trade catalogue

My job was to create images for Maison Bengal’s brand-new trade catalogue. As I worked, I found myself seeing the products differently and imagining how they’d look in my own home. To own something made by communities who have been empowered and paid fairly for their skill is to own something you can be genuinely proud of.

It’s easy to see how Maison Bengal’s products have built a loyal following worldwide. They’re more than a bag or a basket, they’re a conversation starter. To find out more, look Sheenagh up on her Instagram page.

You can see more of the commercial photography I create for my clients here. As always, I’m open to new projects, so if you’d like to talk through what you need, please get in touch.