A Garden, A Camera, A Connection
Workday: 28/05/2025
Following a deeply inspiring conversation with Neddie Clews, I felt a renewed sense of excitement in how design and storytelling intertwine. Her passion for videography and the way she frames her vision resonated with me, and together we decided to embark on a meaningful project: documenting the full transformation of the Lover’s Garden and the Mancha Garden renovations.
This was a significant 2½-month design journey I had just completed alongside Pip Clews and Neddie reminded me of the importance of honouring that process. It wasn’t just about showing the ‘after’ it was about capturing the thoughtful planning, the hours of planting, and the poetic essence that makes these spaces more than just gardens. We wanted to create something that would bring life to the Château’s lesser-documented yet deeply romantic stories.
What followed was a collaboration rooted in mutual respect, clear communication, and a shared artistic sensitivity. We both naturally fell into roles that best suited our strengths, Neddie as the videographer and editor, and myself as the presenter and designer. Together we curated a video in both French and English to be shared across the Foundation’s and the Private Functions’ platforms. It was exciting to design this with multiple audiences in mind, from visitors discovering the gardens for the first time to future couples envisioning their weddings in these spaces. Neddie’s footage beautifully highlighted the textures, colours and historic elements of the garden, while I aimed to guide the narrative with clarity and emotion. The synergy between us made the process smooth and genuinely joyful.
As the evening fell, we found ourselves on the rooftop, quietly watching a wedding unfold below, right in the same garden we had just captured. That moment felt full-circle. Seeing the space animated with joy and love validated everything we had worked on. It made us realise that what we’re creating is more than promotional content; it’s storytelling that helps people imagine their own chapters here. This project feels like the first of many, and I’m excited by the thought that our work might become a blueprint for how the Château tells its stories in the digital age.