Mark Radcliffe for the Daily Telegraph

Portrait of Mark Radcliffe at Dunham Massey | Daily Telegraph Motoring Feature

While going through old hard drives recently I came across another set of photographs from an earlier editorial commission. The images feature broadcaster and writer Mark Radcliffe, photographed at Dunham Massey Country Park in Cheshire for a motoring feature in the Daily Telegraph.

Mark Radcliffe is exactly as you might expect from his radio persona: knowledgeable about music, quick-witted, a lifelong Manchester City supporter and generally an extremely good person to spend time with on a shoot. I have photographed him a couple of times over the years, and this particular session was for a feature pairing him with a beautifully restored vintage Volkswagen Beetle.

Mark Radcliffe: Broadcaster, Author and Music Journalist

Mark Radcliffe is well known in the UK for his long career in broadcasting, particularly on BBC Radio where he has presented a wide range of music programmes across several decades. Many listeners first encountered him through his partnership with Marc Riley on BBC Radio 1 in the 1990s, before Radcliffe went on to present programmes on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.

His work has always been characterised by a deep enthusiasm for music, ranging from alternative rock and indie through to folk and country. In addition to broadcasting, Radcliffe is also a writer and musician, contributing regularly to publications and performing with his folk group The Shirehorses.

Because of this long-standing role in British music broadcasting, he remains a familiar and well-liked figure to audiences across the UK. Photographing personalities like Radcliffe is often straightforward because their ease in conversation translates naturally into relaxed portraits.

Editorial Portrait Photography for Newspapers

This portrait session took place at Dunham Massey Country Park in Cheshire, a location that provided an appropriate rural backdrop for the Daily Telegraph’s motoring feature. Editorial portrait photography for newspapers often involves finding a setting that complements the theme of the article while still allowing the subject’s personality to come through.

The vintage Volkswagen Beetle featured in the piece added a strong visual element to the shoot, combining classic automotive design with a relaxed outdoor location. Working with well-known public figures in this kind of editorial context requires balancing documentary observation with informal portraiture, capturing both the person and the environment in which the story is set.

Photographing Personalities for Editorial Features

Portrait photography for editorial publications often moves quickly, with limited time to establish rapport and create images that work both visually and narratively. When the subject is comfortable and engaged, the process becomes much easier, allowing the photographer to focus on composition, light and atmosphere.

In this case, the combination of a distinctive car, an attractive location in Cheshire and an engaging subject made for an enjoyable shoot and a memorable commission for the Daily Telegraph.

British Ecological Society Summer School

Event Photography: British Ecological Society Summer School at Malham Tarn

I recently worked with the British Ecological Society (BES) as a documentary photographer during their annual summer school, a week-long residential field experience for students studying sciences at A-level, Scottish Higher, and equivalent qualifications. This year, 31 students from seven schools across the UK gathered at Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales to explore ecology, fieldwork, and environmental science firsthand.

I photographed one day of the programme, providing an overview of the day’s activities while creating marketing and social media material for BES. The focus was on capturing students engaged in fieldwork, discussions, and outdoor learning, showing both the educational content and the immersive nature of the experience.

Documenting Fieldwork and Student Engagement

Even within a single day, there are many moments that illustrate the value of hands-on ecological learning. One highlight was the nature walk led by Dr. Daniel Forman, lecturer in Biosciences at Swansea University. Although I had walked the same route previously as part of the Pennine Way, Dr. Forman’s insights into the local ecology and species interactions offered students—and my photography—a new perspective on the landscape.

Photographs captured students observing habitats, taking notes, and interacting with instructors, emphasizing curiosity, engagement, and teamwork. These images help convey the hands-on learning experience to audiences who could not attend.

The Importance of Professional Photography for Educational Programmes

High-quality photography is essential for educational initiatives like the BES summer school. Images from even a single day:

• Provide marketing material to promote future programmes

• Document student engagement for internal review

• Show the collaboration between students and instructors

• Support social media, newsletters, and press coverage to demonstrate programme impact

Capturing these moments professionally ensures that BES can showcase both the learning outcomes and the immersive, field-based nature of the summer school.

Malham Tarn: A Unique Field Site

Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales offers a diverse ecological setting, including wetlands, limestone landscapes, and surrounding habitats. Photographing students in this environment demonstrates how fieldwork brings theory to life and provides unique learning opportunities. Images from the day highlight the interaction between students, instructors, and the environment, which is central to BES’s mission.

Conclusion

Documenting one day of the British Ecological Society summer school allowed me to capture the energy, curiosity, and engagement of the students while providing BES with professional material for marketing, social media, and archival purposes. Working alongside expert instructors like Dr. Daniel Forman made the day both professionally and personally rewarding.

For more information about the British Ecological Society and their educational initiatives, visit britishecologicalsociety.org.

British Ecological Society Conferences

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.