Every band has a story, and sometimes the best way to tell it is through photographs. I recently had the pleasure of working with Not a Chance, a Suffolk-based indie pop rock band, on a shoot for their upcoming online album release.
They may only be seventeen years old, but their music, energy, and presence speak of ambition far beyond their years. Photographing them wasn’t about producing polished, glossy images. Instead, it was about honesty, texture, and showing who they really are at this early stage in their journey.
To create that balance, I used a combination of natural light and subtle fill from a ring flash. The fill added a hint of a paparazzi edge, which fitted their request for something a little rougher, more unpolished. I also graded the images with muted tones, echoing the nostalgic 1970s film look, to add depth and character.
The chosen location, an old Cold War-era RAF hangar at Bentwaters near Woodbridge, offered a raw industrial stage. Its blast doors, steel frames, and abandoned fighter jet provided dramatic backdrops that fit perfectly with the band’s character.
About Not a Chance
Formed in early 2025 at Suffolk One, the band came together through friendship, music, and a shared determination to create something new.
- Eliza Berger (vocals) – @elizagoldmusic
- Amelia Banfield (guitar) – @amelia.bannedfromthefield
- Ashton Fulcher (bass) – @ashtonf_bass
- Toby Lansdown (drums) – @toby.1.1
Despite their differences, what unites them is passion for their instruments and a fresh, energetic approach to songwriting. Their sound blends distorted guitars with driving rhythms and singable choruses, making their music both personal and anthemic.
In a short time, they’ve already gained recognition:
- Performing at the BBC Suffolk stage at Ipswich Music Day
- Winning Best Band at B-Fest (Bures)
Their songs speak to teenage life, awkward relationships, late-night thoughts, and the optimism and uncertainty of growing up. Theirs is a voice both raw and relatable.
Planning the Photoshoot
Ahead of the shoot, I sent a questionnaire to each member. Their responses shaped the creative direction. They didn’t want staged, glossy images. They wanted something more natural, with a bit of grit.
My challenge was to photograph four unique personalities but keep the collection cohesive. It’s easy for group portraits to look fragmented, with each person pulling in their own direction. The goal was to use the location, light, and body language to create unity while letting individuality show through.
Techniques I used
- Ring flash fill – to add subtle sparkle and a candid vibe.
- Natural light – consistent, honest tones from shade to golden hour.
- Varied formations – clusters, lines, arcs, and depth layering for different moods.
- Industrial textures – concrete, steel, rivets, and rust to anchor the images in place.
The Location: RAF Bentwaters
Bentwaters, near Woodbridge, is a site steeped in history. Once part of the front line during the Cold War, the airbase’s hangars and shelters now stand as stark relics. Their raw concrete, steel trusses, and cavernous blast doors are striking architectural features that make them a dream backdrop for photography.
The location is private and not open to the public. I received special permission from the owner to carry out this shoot at the hangar, which gave us the rare chance to use such a unique setting.
We used:
- The fighter jet shell – still commanding in its presence.
- Blast doors and walls – for scale and texture.
- Corridors and trusses – to play with depth, shadow, and geometry.
- Pallets and industrial remnants – for a rebellious, looser edge.
Every corner of the shelter provided a new stage, each adding to the sequence of images.
Image Sequence and Descriptions
1. Group in front of aircraft nose
The band stands shoulder-to-shoulder before a fighter jet nose cone. The hangar doors form an arch, naturally focusing attention on them. Expressions are relaxed, setting the tone for the shoot.
2. Profile of aircraft, tighter four
A waist-up portrait against the riveted aircraft skin. Light from behind lifts hair edges, giving each face separation from the darker panels.
3. Under the tail, close group
In the shadow of the tail section, the group compresses into a cluster. Rivet lines frame faces, and crisp catchlights add intimacy.
4. Dark concrete wall, casual line
Against a dark wall, the four stand in a subtle arc. Casual body language, with alternating angles, gives balance and rhythm.
5. Framed doorway, anchored asymmetry
The group positions around the doorway recess, using its concrete frame as a natural border. Two central, two outboard creates asymmetry with cohesion.
6. Wardrobe change, clean portrait line
A second outfit set shifts the tone. Denim, monochrome, and a red accent pop against the neutral wall. Shoulders parallel to camera create an editorial, magazine-ready quality.
7. Long shot by secure door, late light
Full-length poses at a steel door. The golden-hour light warms skin and creates contrast with the cold steel. Each member stands in their own vertical slice, showing individuality in unity.
8. Pallets and shadow geometry
Resting against stacked pallets, they strike looser stances. Sunlight casts bold diagonals across the wall, giving the frame playfulness and energy.
9. Tunnel corridor, controlled flash-fill look
Inside a narrow corridor, light falls away. A subtle on-axis flash preserves faces against the bright exit. Layered poses give cinematic depth.
10. Steel truss architecture, sculpted golden light
For the finale, the rusted truss structure frames them. One member per level forms a stepped composition. Warm light sculpts diagonals into something album-cover ready.
What the Sequence Communicates
- Identity and togetherness Overlapping shoulders and close groupings show friendship and shared purpose, avoiding stiffness.
- Place and texture The industrial location anchors the images in Suffolk, giving a cinematic, distinctive quality.
- Range and flexibility The collection includes banner-ready horizontals, poster-friendly verticals, and square crops for social platforms.
- Continuity of light From soft open shade to golden hour, the consistent natural-light approach ties the sequence together.
Reflections
This shoot reminded me of the balance between guiding a group and letting them bring themselves into the frame. Each member has a strong identity, and together they project something bigger than the sum of their parts.
Not a Chance are at the start of their story, but the images we created at Bentwaters give them a strong visual identity to accompany their sound. Photographing them was a real pleasure, and I look forward to seeing where their music takes them.
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