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Christmas dinner photography at Merry Lakes, Brentwood

A Christmas dinner party at Merry Lakes in Hutton, Brentwood, with guests dressed for the occasion, cocktails by the tree and food being prepared nearby. I photographed the gathering from portraits in the hallway through to the conversations and raised glasses around the dinner table.

The collection brings the people and the food together. There are photographs made for the camera, quieter exchanges between guests and details from the preparation and serving of dinner.

A Christmas party from the hallway to the dinner table

The decorated stairs and Christmas tree at Merry Lakes give the portraits and drinks photographs their setting. White bow ties, evening dresses and the colours around the room make this a very different collection from an outdoor or daytime party.

I’ve included the menu, canapés and food preparation alongside the guests: fish being finished with a blowtorch, dishes being plated and drinks poured at the table. Wider photographs show the gathering together, while closer frames pick out laughter, conversations and people leaning in towards one another.

Select a photograph to view it larger. For your own dinner party, ball or formal celebration, see my black-tie and gala event photography, photography in Brentwood or event photography prices.

A printed menu with a blue border resting on a round wooden tray — The printed menu at the Christmas dinner.

An octopus tentacle in dark liquid inside a metal saucepan — A close-up of octopus during dinner preparation.

A man in orange slicing fish on a chopping board, with other people working behind — Fish preparation during the Christmas dinner at Merry Lakes.

A dark cut-glass decanter lying in a lined wooden presentation case — A decorative decanter displayed in its presentation case.

Guests talking beside the stairs, with a seated woman in orange reflected in a large mirror — Christmas party conversation reflected in the hallway mirror.

Two smiling women in blue and orange standing together beside a staircase — Two smiling guests photographed beside the Merry Lakes staircase.

Three women in blue standing together and smiling, one holding a cocktail — Three smiling guests photographed together at the Christmas party.

A smiling man in formal evening dress standing with his hands in his pockets — A guest photographed beside the Merry Lakes staircase.

A smiling woman in blue standing in front of a man as two other guests laugh beside them — Laughter around a portrait in the Merry Lakes hallway.

A smiling woman in blue standing with her hands behind her beside a staircase — A smiling guest photographed beside the decorated stairs.

A smiling woman with glasses holding a cocktail glass beside a decorated staircase — A guest raises her glass for a portrait.

A man in a white bow tie between two smiling women in orange and blue — Three guests photographed together beside the staircase.

Two men in white bow ties standing together beside a Christmas-decorated staircase — Two guests photographed beside the decorated staircase.

Five men in formal evening dress standing shoulder to shoulder indoors — Five guests photographed together at the Christmas party.

A man in a white bow tie and a smiling woman with glasses standing together in a doorway — Two guests photographed together in the Merry Lakes doorway.

Three men in evening dress chatting in a hallway, with drinks and a phone — Guests chat with drinks in the hallway.

Three women gathered closely together, two holding cocktail glasses — Three guests chat with cocktails during the Christmas party.

Three women laughing together beside an illuminated Christmas tree, two holding drinks — Three guests laugh together beside the Christmas tree.

Guests smiling together beside a Christmas tree and a tall mirror — Smiles beside the Christmas tree at Merry Lakes.

Women standing with cocktail glasses beside a Christmas tree covered in lights — Cocktails beside the Christmas tree at Merry Lakes.

Small round canapés with white spread, dark topping and herbs on a wooden board — Canapés arranged on a wooden serving board.

Small patterned bowls of food in focus with a cook working behind them — Dishes lined up during preparation for the Christmas dinner.

Guests standing in small groups with drinks, including a man in a tartan kilt — Guests mingle with drinks at the Christmas party.

Two women standing and talking beside an illuminated Christmas tree — Two guests chat beside the Christmas tree at Merry Lakes.

A man laughing while holding a cocktail glass, with other guests around him — Laughter among the guests at the Christmas gathering.

A woman smiling between two men talking at close quarters — A guest smiles during a conversation at the Christmas party.

A smiling woman holding a drink, framed behind other standing guests — A smiling guest among the Christmas party gathering.

A group standing close together with drinks, with a woman laughing in the centre — Guests share a laugh during the Christmas party.

Two women standing with drinks and talking in a tiled hallway, seen from above — Two guests stop to chat in the Merry Lakes hallway.

Two women looking up towards the camera in a hallway, with a man standing to one side — Guests look up towards the camera in the hallway.

A man in a white bow tie and a woman in a pale dress smiling beside a Christmas tree — Two guests photographed together beside the Christmas tree.

A standing man pouring from a clear bottle beside a seated man holding a phone — A drink is poured as a guest holds his phone.

A man leaning over to pour wine beside two seated women — Wine is poured beside the Christmas dinner guests.

Two women smiling with their faces close together at the dinner table — Two guests lean together with smiles during dinner.

A seated man raising a small glass beside a smiling woman, surrounded by diners — A glass raised among the Christmas dinner guests.

Three people preparing and arranging food on small plates — Food is arranged on plates for the Christmas gathering.

A man in an orange jacket stirring a saucepan above a portable burner — Cooking under way during the Christmas dinner.

A smiling woman holding a glass as another woman leans her head towards her — Two guests laugh together beside the festive fireplace.

Three men in white bow ties seated at dinner, with a standing man behind — Guests around the table during the Christmas dinner.

A woman in orange looking towards the camera with her hands clasped — A seated portrait across the Christmas dinner table.

A woman laughing with her hand over her mouth, seen between dinner guests — A guest laughs behind her hand during dinner.

A blowtorch flame passing over fish fillets on wire racks — Fish is finished with a blowtorch during dinner preparation.

A man and woman laughing together, seen between other diners — Laughter across the table during the Christmas dinner.

Two women smiling towards the camera with their heads together at dinner — Two smiling guests photographed together at the Christmas dinner.

Three women leaning together and pulling faces towards the camera — Three guests pull faces for a group photograph.

A person in an orange jacket and white apron preparing food beside laid-out plates — Food preparation during the Christmas dinner at Merry Lakes.

Gloved hands using long chopsticks to turn meat over a small gas grill — A close-up of meat cooking over a small grill.

Three women laughing side by side at the dinner table — Three guests laugh together during the Christmas meal.

Men in white bow ties lifting small coloured cups around a dinner table — Guests lift their cups around the Christmas dinner table.

Three dinner guests smiling and looking towards one another — Smiles around the table at the Merry Lakes Christmas dinner.

Two men in white bow ties seated at dinner, one holding chopsticks — Two guests seated together during the Christmas meal.

Guests seated along a long table, with a raised arm in the foreground — The Christmas gathering photographed along the dinner table.

A woman laughing at the dinner table in front of a Christmas garland — A guest laughs beside the festive fireplace.

Three guests smiling and giving thumbs up around a sofa — Three guests give thumbs up during the Christmas party.

Two men in formal evening dress seated together, one raising a wine glass — Two dinner guests share a portrait and a raised glass.

Behind the camera

An Essex photographer for your dinner party or formal event

I’m Jonathan Owen, an Essex photographer working professionally since 2003. At a dinner or private party, I look beyond the posed photographs to the people talking, the food arriving and the reactions around the table.

If you’re planning a celebration in Brentwood or elsewhere in Essex, tell me about your timings and the photographs you’d like. We can allow for portraits before dinner as well as coverage while your guests enjoy the evening. I handle the planning with you directly and personally select and edit your finished photographs.

20+ years photographing people

DBS checked

Public liability insured

Christmas dinner photography at Merry Lakes, Brentwood

A Christmas party from the hallway to the dinner table

An Essex photographer for your dinner party or formal event

Planning your dinner party or formal celebration?