Mento stands for a table full of memories
First, of course, we'll tell you a bit about this particular tableware brand. Every meal is an opportunity to create memories and share stories, and Mento understands this like no other. Mento's tableware is designed to make every meal a special experience, without having to be taken out only for special occasions. The collection, which includes glassware, cutlery and tableware, exudes elegance as well as durability and tranquillity. Each piece is crafted with attention to detail, so you can enjoy quality products time and time again that create an atmospheric table setting and, most importantly, stylish get-togethers, lunches and dinners.
Mento's tableware is handmade by experienced ceramicists in Portugal, who take pride in keeping the age-old art of ceramics alive. Using traditional techniques and careful finishing, each item takes on a unique, individual signature. In addition to their focus on craftsmanship, Mento strives for sustainability in all aspects of their production. They do this, for example, by selecting eco-friendly materials and plastic-free packaging.
For their Atelier and Raízes collection , the brand was recently at The Loft. Here, they shot beautiful images for their latest lookbook. Because we love to inspire you with the beautiful images Mento shot, but also wanted to know all about their brand and product photography, read an interview with Mento's Brecht below.
'Mento is a tableware platform that includes crockery, glassware and cutlery. Whatever you need to set your table beautifully, you can find it at Mento! ‘’For everyday moments and lifelong memories‘’ is what Mento tableware stands for. For a simple cup of coffee in the morning to memorable moments at the table with family and friends. We believe that special and authentic tableware contributes to these experiences'.
What are your sources of inspiration for designing new products?
‘We mainly take our inspiration from nature: think of the different natural tones, organic shapes or special textures. The Atelier collection is a line with a white coral finish, inspired by the sea and the underwater world. The Terra line from the Raízes collection, in turn, consists of two shades of beige, with the matte part of the plate has a kind of sand texture. In addition, we think it is important to work with different colour palettes, both with cool and warm tones'.
How did the collaboration with Tobias Camman come about for the Mento Atelier collection?
'Before the launch of the Atelier collection, we had been in contact with Tobias. We felt he fitted the Mento brand and this was mutual. Apart from the business aspect, a very informal atmosphere developed between our team and Tobias, which made the collaboration even more enjoyable. Tobias had a desire to develop an own tableware line, as he is into cooking a lot, and this is how the idea arose to start working together. It was soon clear that it had to be a collection had to be one that was suitable for both everyday cooking and catering kitchen. So we decided to stay in the white/eggshell colour palette, though, but still add a special design to it'.
'Thank you! Because we mainly sell online, photography and videography is incredibly important to us. The photos should inspire and invite. In the photos, the products, mostly crockery, should always be the main focus. We like to take atmospheric images of a complete table setting, but always in combination with detail shots, so that the quality is also clearly visible'.
How do you ensure that sustainability, an important element for you, is highlighted in your mood images?
'We want to offer products that are timeless and don't go with specific trends. Should you purchase tableware from Mento, the intention is that you will use it for a very long time, but above all that you will still love it years after purchase. In the context of sustainability, we want our products to last as long as possible! In addition, we work with suppliers in Portugal who can guarantee us a certain quality'.
'Because the Atelier and Raízes are both collections with earthy colours and natural tones, we were looking for a studio that suited this perfectly. In addition, we wanted to shoot different lines, so it was important to us that there were enough angles so that all lines could be presented differently. This was perfect in your studio! The session could not have turned out better as far as we were concerned, and this was partly due to the beautiful surroundings'.
What makes our studio so suitable for your product photography?
'Besides so all the different angles in The Loft, as indicated above, the light was really beautiful. We were lucky this day as it was very sunny. But this also took the photography and videography of this collection to another level'.
What do you look for when booking a (product) photographer?
'Our photography has had different styles. We've experimented a lot with different styles and settings, so it's really been a process, for both us and the photographer. With these two most recent collections, we had a desire to do videos as well, so we started working with another product photographer who also specialised especially in moving images. Coincidentally, we started working with someone from our network: we already knew her work and we were excited about this'.
What can we expect from Mento soon? Do you have a scoop for us?
'Our Atelier collection sold out within four weeks, so we can expect a new drop soon that we will of course do all kinds of fun things with! Besides, the holidays are coming up, so we will be sharing plenty of inspiration for the very best Christmas gifts and to set the perfect table'.
Photo/videographer: Eva Glasbeek
Gaffer: Yannick van de Graaf
Model: Tobias Camman
Styling: Team Mento
