Sam Nicklin's Chrome & Colour for Alessi: In-Camera Reflections on Iconic Homeware

Photographer Sam Nicklin has created a series of reflective photographs for the Italian homeware brand Alessi, titled Chrome & Colour. The project, which showcases Alessi's iconic products, was born from Nicklin's admiration for the brand's design legacy and its humorous advertising. Nicklin pitched the series directly via Alessi's Instagram DMs, combining elements of the brand's vintage advertising with his signature bold color palettes, as seen in his earlier Colours series. The photographs were made entirely in-camera, using sheets of colored paper cut into shapes and moved around the objects to achieve precise reflections. This analogue approach was partly necessitated by Nicklin's lack of a tripod, which prevented compositing multiple images. The most challenging piece was the La Cupola espresso maker, whose tall, domed form made reflections difficult; Nicklin experimented with wide angles and symmetrical reflections before settling on a slight angle with small circles of colored card. The final images evoke 1970s and 80s advertising aesthetics, with minimal highlights and strong silhouettes. Nicklin emphasizes that the project demonstrates how simple ideas can have a big impact, combining color, light, and polished steel. The series is a testament to the value of a creative's personal vision in enhancing a brand's products. The project was featured on It's Nice That, with images and behind-the-scenes content shared on Nicklin's website and Instagram.