A Dorset Christmas
A personal project of telling the story of slow & soulful Christmas traditions
Project concept
This series captures Christmas as it’s truly lived in a small rural Dorset village — slow, soulful, and steeped in tradition.
It’s a world away from the commercial bustle, focusing instead on the quiet rituals that make the season feel real:
handmade gifts,
home-baked treats,
ribbons tied with care,
fires crackling against the chill,
and the gentle glow of candlelight reflected in familiar faces.
It’s a Christmas of earth and hearth — where nature, craft, and comfort entwine.
Creative Approach
Mood & Aesthetic
Tone: Nostalgic, heartfelt, intimate, and cinematic.
Lighting: Soft and directional, with a golden dusk warmth and candlelit glow.
• Palette: Pine, cinnamon, cream, honey, and nutmeg; offset by deep greens, cranberries, and winter whites.
• Texture: Linen, wool, pottery, twine, dried orange peel, wood grain, and beeswax.
• Vibe: A poetic blend of rustic heritage and handmade charm — slow living wrapped in storybook stillness.
Key Visual Themes
1. Homemade Comforts & Festive Rituals
• Still-life scenes of mince pies, sugared cakes, spiced drinks, and ribbons of dough.
• Steam curling from mugs in handmade pottery, butter-soft pastry dusted with sugar.
• The soft choreography of hands at work — tying twine, pouring tea, cutting garlands.
2. The Art of Giving, Handcrafted
• Jars of preserves, bundles of biscuits, citrus garlands, and homemade infusions.
• Gifts wrapped in linen, sprigs of rosemary, and vintage string — imperfectly beautiful.
• Flat lays that tell quiet stories: scissors, parchment, stamps, handwritten notes.
3. The Warmth of Home
• Candlelight flickering across knitwear and pinecones.
• A simple table dressed in foraged greenery, glowing glasses of festive gin or whisky.
• Dogs dozing by the fire, people wrapped in wool, laughter softly echoing off old beams.
4. Nature’s Winter Palette
• Bare hedgerows, frosted fields, and the muted beauty of Dorset’s winter light.
• Reflections in puddles, smoke rising from chimneys, the calm before snowfall.
• Subtle nods to the outdoors brought inside — branches, berries, moss, and pine.
Let’s work together
Whether it’s recipe creation, food photography, or a blog + instagram partnership, I’d love to hear more about what you had in mind! Let’s get in touch.
For partnership opportunities, please reach out directly to suze@gourmetglow.co.uk