Latest Editorial, Portrait & Commercial Photography Projects
A selection of my most recent commissions and ongoing projects.
The work shown here spans editorial assignments, portrait commissions, documentary projects and commercial photography for organisations and publishers. It reflects current areas of focus and the range of contexts in which I am working.
New projects are added regularly.
Manchester Conference Photography: Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase Event Coverage
I recently photographed the Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase, organised by the Centre for Digital Innovation and held in Manchester. The event brought together technology companies, researchers, and innovators working across fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital manufacturing, and sustainable technology.
I recently photographed the Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase, organised by the Centre for Digital Innovation and held in Manchester. The event brought together technology companies, researchers, and innovators working across fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital manufacturing, and sustainable technology.
Events like this highlight how important it is for organisations to document conferences and innovation programmes with clear, professional photography that communicates their work long after the event has finished.
For organisations running conferences, innovation showcases, or industry awards, photography is not simply a record of the event. It is a marketing asset.
High-quality conference photography supports press coverage, social media communication, funding reports, and future event promotion. The images produced during an event often become the primary visual documentation used by organisers, sponsors, and speakers.
The Innovate to Elevate event focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses working in digital and emerging technologies. The programme included presentations, workshops, networking sessions, and an awards ceremony recognising companies developing innovative solutions.
Many of the discussions at the conference centred around responsible AI, digital transformation, hydrogen technology, cybersecurity, and the role of emerging technologies in supporting innovation across industry.
Events like this allow organisations to present research and innovation outcomes, connect businesses with potential collaborators, and demonstrate the impact of regional technology programmes.
For initiatives funded through innovation programmes, strong visual documentation is particularly important. Photography from these events is frequently used in reports, communications campaigns, and stakeholder updates.
Photographing a technology-focused conference requires attention to the moments that communicate what is actually happening at the event.
Rather than simply photographing audiences, the goal is to capture the work being presented: keynote speakers delivering talks, panel discussions, demonstrations of new technology, and conversations between researchers and businesses.
Conference venues can be challenging environments to photograph. Lighting conditions change constantly, schedules move quickly, and photographers often have limited access to speakers and presenters.
Capturing clear and usable images under these conditions requires experience in anticipating key moments while working efficiently and without interrupting the event itself.
At events like Innovate to Elevate, photographs of speakers, panel discussions, and audience engagement help illustrate how ideas are shared and discussed within the conference setting.
Networking and collaboration are also a central part of innovation events. Images showing attendees discussing projects or reviewing demonstrations help communicate the connections being formed between organisations.
The awards section of the event recognised companies contributing to technological innovation and regional economic development. Photographing award presentations provides organisers and winners with images that can be used for press announcements and marketing.
For organisations hosting conferences, professional photography helps ensure that the event continues to generate value long after it has finished. Images can be used across websites, social media, reports, and promotional material for future events.
If you are organising a conference, awards ceremony, or industry event in Manchester and need professional photography coverage, feel free to get in touch.
Conference Photography for The Invisible Orthodontist
It was a real pleasure to photograph The Invisible Orthodontist’s conference in Murcia, Spain earlier in the year. Fantastic weather and accommodation, even time for a quick dip in the pool between sessions and great to see everyone letting their hair down at the conference dinner.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
It was a real pleasure to photograph The Invisible Orthodontist’s conference in Murcia, Spain earlier in the year. Fantastic weather and accommodation, even time for a quick dip in the pool between sessions and great to see everyone letting their hair down at the conference dinner.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
Adidas Superstar Awards
The Superstar Awards are where Adidas Europe recognise the outstanding contributions of their staff over the previous 12 months. I documented the event at their UK headquarters. Many thanks to the superb event managers at TOL Events for bringing me on board.
Adidas Superstar Awards Event Photography at Adidas UK Headquarters
I was commissioned to provide professional event photography for the Adidas Superstar Awards, held at the Adidas UK headquarters. The Superstar Awards are an annual ceremony where Adidas Europe recognises the outstanding contributions of its staff, celebrating achievements across teams and departments. This high-profile corporate awards event brings together employees from across Europe to highlight excellence, commitment, and innovation within the company.
Providing photography for an event of this scale is always rewarding, but working for a globally recognised brand like Adidas adds a unique dimension. Adidas is not just a sportswear company; it is a brand with significant cultural influence. Its impact stretches across sport, music, fashion, and lifestyle, making it one of the most aspirational and respected brands worldwide. Being involved in documenting their events allows me to connect with a company whose reputation for innovation and quality is synonymous with excellence in global culture.
Corporate Event Photography at Adidas
The Superstar Awards combine formal presentations with social and celebratory moments, creating ideal conditions for corporate event photography. Award presentations, stage ceremonies, and staff recognition moments provide opportunities for structured imagery, while candid interactions, networking, and celebration offer a natural, documentary style. These photographs capture both the achievements being celebrated and the energetic atmosphere of the event.
Events at Adidas UK headquarters are particularly well-organised, providing a professional environment with high-quality lighting, staging, and design. This allows for high-quality images that can be used for internal communications, social media campaigns, corporate reporting, and marketing materials. Documenting such an event contributes to Adidas’ broader brand narrative, showing both the recognition of staff and the brand’s commitment to excellence.
The Significance of the Superstar Awards
The Superstar Awards are an important part of Adidas’ corporate culture. They reinforce the company’s commitment to recognising talent and rewarding excellence across Europe. From a photography perspective, capturing these moments is about more than documenting trophies being handed out—it’s about reflecting the company’s values, professionalism, and culture.
Adidas’ influence extends far beyond corporate achievements. The brand has shaped sportswear innovation, influenced music and street culture, and consistently collaborated with designers and artists to push boundaries in fashion and lifestyle. Photographing events for a company with this kind of global recognition allows me to contribute to their visual legacy and document a brand that resonates culturally and professionally.
Why Working with Adidas is Distinctive
For a photographer, working for Adidas is both rewarding and prestigious. The brand carries cultural and professional authority that few companies can match. Their products are of high quality, their events are carefully executed, and their staff embody a dynamic and creative ethos. Being associated with a brand of this stature reflects positively on the work itself, enhancing the perceived value and reach of the photography.
The Superstar Awards event was managed by the professional team at TOL Events, whose coordination ensured the evening ran smoothly. This level of organisation, combined with the high-profile nature of Adidas as a global brand, provides the ideal context for professional, high-impact event photography.
Capturing Staff Recognition and Corporate Culture
Event photography for Adidas is not simply about recording awards; it is about capturing moments that tell the story of the brand, the culture, and the people behind it. From winners’ reactions to team interactions, candid photographs convey energy, engagement, and the celebratory atmosphere of the Superstar Awards. These images form part of Adidas’ visual identity, used in corporate communications, online campaigns, and internal reporting to showcase excellence and achievement.
By documenting the Superstar Awards, I contribute to a record of one of the most influential brands in sport, fashion, and culture. Each photograph not only highlights the award recipients but also reflects the professionalism and prestige that make Adidas a global leader.
Photography of High Street Task Force
The High Streets Task Force was established to England's high streets and town centres to thrive - providing expert training, guidance data to the people who make them. Local leaders and partnerships are be able to access the latest data and evidence to inform their investment and regeneration decisions.
I was pleased to photograph the latest meeting of experts and representatives from the chosen towns at Manchester Metropolitan University business school. I was also able to photograph some portraits of the university staff at the conclusion of the meeting.
The High Streets Task Force was established to England's high streets and town centres to thrive - providing expert training, guidance data to the people who make them. Local leaders and partnerships are be able to access the latest data and evidence to inform their investment and regeneration decisions.
I was pleased to photograph the latest meeting of experts and representatives from the chosen towns at Manchester Metropolitan University business school. I was also able to photograph some portraits of the university staff at the conclusion of the meeting.
The funding will be piloted first in 20 town centres before being rolled out in 101 areas across the country.
The first 14 towns to take part in the pilot schemes and receive funding from the government will be:
Swinton Town centre – Salford, Thornton Heath – Croydon, Cheadle – Staffordshire Moorlands, Aldershot Town Centre – Rushmoor, Stirchley – Birmingham, Accrington Town Centre – Hyndburn, Kendal – South Lakeland, Friargate – Preston, Coventry City Centre – Coventry, Hartlepool Town Centre – Hartlepool, Ellesmere Port Town Centre – Cheshire West and Chester, West Bromwich Town Centre – Sandwell, Huyton Town Centre – Knowsley, Withington District Centre – Manchester.
“The Task Force will provide the tools they need to get the best advice possible and a dashboard of key local data,” Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said.
Ministers will also launch a consultation on whether to build an online register of commercial properties, which could make it easier to bring empty shops back into use.
The government has also pledged to cut small retailers’ business rates bills by 50 per cent from April.
If you require photography of your conference, meeting or event please drop me a line at david@davidoates.net or fill out the form on the ‘Contact’ page of this website.
British Association for Applied Linguistics conference
A few weeks ago I photographed the latest BAAL conference at Manchester Metropolitan University.
I find it really interesting to cover conferences as you get thrown into the deep end of academic research in subjects that you previously hadn’t really thought all that much about. BAAL this year was no exception, some extremely interesting themes and insights into language acquisition, learning foreign languages and linguistic changes brought about by emerging technologies.
As freelance photographers we often don’t get feedback on our work after the event, so it was very pleasing to get this response from the conference organiser:
‘I’ve just downloaded the photos – absolutely fantastic. I’ve never given a photographer such a haphazard brief and had it nailed so well, so thanks very much. I wouldn’t hesitate to use you again based on these.’
If you’d like me to photograph a conference for you either in Manchester, the North or across the country, please get in touch via email or using the contact form on the About page of the site.
Conference Photography at the BAAL Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University
A few weeks ago I photographed the latest conference organised by the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) at Manchester Metropolitan University. The event brought together researchers, academics and students working across the field of applied linguistics, with presentations, panel discussions and networking sessions taking place throughout the day.
Photographing academic conferences like this is always engaging, not only from a visual perspective but also intellectually. As a photographer you are immersed in subjects that you might not otherwise encounter, documenting conversations and presentations while absorbing ideas and research happening around you.
Applied Linguistics and Academic Research
The BAAL conference this year explored a range of themes connected to language learning and linguistic research. Topics included language acquisition, the experience of learning foreign languages, and the ways in which emerging technologies are influencing communication and linguistic change.
Events like these highlight the diversity of contemporary research in applied linguistics. Bringing together scholars from different institutions allows for discussion and collaboration while giving attendees the opportunity to share new insights and approaches to teaching, learning and analysing language.
Photographing Academic Conferences
Conference photography requires a balance between documentary observation and careful timing. The aim is to capture a clear visual record of the event: keynote speakers presenting their research, audience engagement during talks, informal discussions between delegates, and the overall atmosphere of the venue.
Universities and academic organisations often use these images for future conference promotion, websites, social media, and institutional archives. High-quality photographs also help illustrate the energy and collaborative nature of academic gatherings.
Feedback from the Conference Organiser
Freelance photographers often deliver work after an event without hearing much about how the images are received, so it was particularly gratifying to receive this message from the BAAL conference organiser afterwards:
“I’ve just downloaded the photos – absolutely fantastic. I’ve never given a photographer such a haphazard brief and had it nailed so well, so thanks very much. I wouldn’t hesitate to use you again based on these.”
Positive feedback like this is always encouraging, especially when working in fast-moving environments such as conferences where capturing the right moments requires careful observation and responsiveness.
Conference Photographer in Manchester and the UK
If you are organising a conference, academic event or professional gathering and require a photographer in Manchester, the North of England or elsewhere in the UK, please feel free to get in touch via email or through the contact form on the About page of this site.
What Makes a House a Home? for Hawkins/Brown
Hawkins\Brown have been debating this question for over 30 years and on Thursday 18 July 2019, hosted a conference party at Glass House One, Festival Square, to celebrate another successful year for Hawkins\Brown Studio North and their continued support of and involvement in Manchester International Festival.
The house: “a machine for living in” (Le Corbusier), or a place “to dream” (Gaston Bachelard)?
The panel delved into this rich and varied topic covering everything from co-living and the concept of community, to shifts in social demographics and changing lifestyles, to DfMA, buildability and volumetric housing, to what “home” means personally to each of the panellists. Some suggestions included: “my record collection”, “acoustic insulation (three children under the age of three!),” and “the freedom to DIY”.
It was a pleasure to photograph the conference while enjoying the atmosphere of MIF and the last of the sunshine.
Hawkins\Brown have been debating this question for over 30 years and on Thursday 18 July 2019, hosted a party at Glass House One, Festival Square, to celebrate another successful year for Hawkins\Brown Studio North and their continued support of and involvement in Manchester International Festival.
The house: “a machine for living in” (Le Corbusier), or a place “to dream” (Gaston Bachelard)?
The panel delved into this rich and varied topic covering everything from co-living and the concept of community, to shifts in social demographics and changing lifestyles, to DfMA, buildability and volumetric housing, to what “home” means personally to each of the panellists. Some suggestions included: “my record collection”, “acoustic insulation (three children under the age of three!),” and “the freedom to DIY”.
British Ecological Society Conferences
It’s always fascinating to carry out the conference photography for the British Ecological Society and often easy to forget to take pictures while listening to the presentations. Here are a selection of photographs from their and the Society for Tropical Ecology’s joint annual conference in the magnificent McEwan Hall, Edinburgh.
Event Photography: British Ecological Society and Society for Tropical Ecology Annual Conference | McEwan Hall, Edinburgh
I recently photographed the joint annual conference of the British Ecological Society (BES) and the Society for Tropical Ecology, held in the magnificent McEwan Hall in Edinburgh. Covering conferences like this is always fascinating, and it can be a challenge to balance listening to presentations with capturing key moments for documentation and promotional purposes.
The photographs provide an overview of the event, highlighting the diversity of attendees, the atmosphere of the sessions, and the architectural grandeur of McEwan Hall. Capturing these moments visually helps illustrate the importance of the conference as a space for scientific exchange, networking, and engagement with current ecological research.
Capturing Academic Conferences
Event photography for academic and professional conferences requires attention to context, detail, and storytelling. I focused on capturing presenters during talks, delegates engaging in discussions, and the overall environment of the hall. These images are used for marketing, social media, and post-conference reporting, providing a visual record of the event that complements the written proceedings.
Documenting conferences also allows for the dissemination of the event’s energy and significance, giving future participants and collaborators a sense of the professional and social interactions that define such gatherings.
McEwan Hall: A Historic Backdrop
McEwan Hall in Edinburgh provides a dramatic and inspiring setting for conferences, combining historic architecture with modern event functionality. Photographing within this space adds visual interest, framing the attendees and speakers against the grandeur of the venue while highlighting the professional nature of the conference.
Conclusion
Photographing the joint BES and Society for Tropical Ecology annual conference offered an opportunity to create a visual record of scientific collaboration, lively discussion, and academic engagement. These images communicate the scale, professionalism, and atmosphere of the conference, providing valuable content for the societies’ marketing, archives, and social media.
