Bright orange backgrounds. Real tools. Real hands. Real moments of making.
Earlier this year, several of our specialist
hand models were on set in London helping bring B&Q’s latest creative campaign to life — a bold, energetic series of images celebrating the spirit of DIY.
Shot at Big Sky Studios in London, and produced by Publicis Production for Leo Burnett, the campaign captures a simple but powerful message: you don’t have to be a professional to make something great.
And that’s exactly where specialist modelling comes in.
The Power of Hands in Advertising
When brands want to communicate action — fixing, building, planting or creating — the story is often told through hands.
In the B&Q visuals, each frame focuses on a simple moment:
- A scraper breaking through old paint
- A drill ready to start a new project
- A shower head and tape mid-installation
- A trowel lifting soil for a new plant
These images may look effortless, but capturing them requires precision casting, careful styling and experienced talent who know how to hold tools naturally on camera.
Small details make a huge difference: grip, finger positioning, tension, movement and even how light reflects off skin.
That’s where specialist hand models earn their place.
Casting for Authenticity
For this shoot, the creative team wanted hands that felt real and relatable, representing the everyday DIYer.
Across the two shoot days, multiple HHM models were booked to perform different tasks on camera, each chosen for a specific look and skillset.
Some of the factors considered during casting included:
- Skin tone diversity
- Nail condition and grooming
- Hand shape and proportions
- Ability to work confidently with tools and materials
- Natural movement and grip
When a campaign focuses this closely on hands, every detail becomes visible — which is why experienced hand models are essential.
What Happens on a Specialist Shoot
While the final campaign images look simple and graphic, the production behind them is anything but.
A typical specialist shoot involves:
- Dedicated manicure and SFX teams preparing hands for camera
- Tool styling and prop adjustments between shots
- Precise lighting setups to highlight texture and shape
- Multiple grip variations for each action
- Close collaboration with the photographer and creative team
The result is imagery that feels spontaneous, but is actually the product of careful collaboration between creatives, stylists, photographers and specialist talent.
Talent Credits
We were proud to supply several of the specialist hand models featured in the campaign.
Models
Campaign Credits
