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.

Artists, Documentary David Oates Artists, Documentary David Oates

Photographing the 2024 Fine Art Masters Show at the Reopened Holden Gallery

The Holden Gallery in Manchester has now reopened following a major two-year refurbishment of the historic Grosvenor building, revitalizing its exhibition spaces and offering a fresh, contemporary setting for art. I was recently back at the gallery to photograph the 2024 Fine Art Masters Show, an annual highlight that showcases the incredible talent of emerging artists from across the UK.

Three young female students discussing a canvas painting at the 2024 Fine Art Masters Show in Holden Gallery, Manchester, contemporary art photography

The Holden Gallery in Manchester has now reopened following a major two-year refurbishment of the historic Grosvenor building, revitalizing its exhibition spaces and offering a fresh, contemporary setting for art. I was recently back at the gallery to photograph the 2024 Fine Art Masters Show, an annual highlight that showcases the incredible talent of emerging artists from across the UK.

It was inspiring to capture the energy and creativity on display, from striking paintings and sculptures to experimental media works. The refurbished Holden Gallery provides a perfect backdrop for photography, with its modernized lighting and restored architectural details enhancing the visual impact of each piece.

For photographers documenting art, exhibitions like this are a wonderful opportunity to explore the interplay of artworks, space, and lighting. Each image tells a story of both the artist’s vision and the gallery’s commitment to presenting contemporary practice in a beautifully maintained historic setting.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, student, or fellow photographer, the Holden Gallery Fine Art Masters Show 2024 is not to be missed. The reopening of the gallery marks a new chapter for Manchester’s vibrant art scene, and I’m delighted to have documented this important moment.

Wide-angle shot of gallery installations in the center of Holden Gallery with a woman walking past, exhibition photography emphasizing space and movement

Manchester has a chronic lack of spaces for art for a city of its size and status, so it’s great to see this gallery reopen and I’m looking forward to seeing what the new programme holds in store.

Woman observing paintings while walking through Holden Gallery, editorial photography capturing visitor engagement with contemporary artworks
Close-up of a student woman peering at paintings on a wall in Holden Gallery, art exhibition photography highlighting interaction and detail
Wide shot of two visitors walking past four paintings on a wall at the Holden Gallery Fine Art Masters Show, architectural and exhibition photography
Close-up of woollen artwork resembling a sculpted head, photographed in Holden Gallery, Manchester, contemporary textile art photography
Portrait of a woman examining canvas paintings in Holden Gallery, editorial photography of visitor engagement with fine art
Wide-angle view through an arched gallery doorway with a visitor walking in the distance, architectural and exhibition photography capturing depth and movement
Photograph from behind a painting of a person DJing, showcasing dynamic contemporary artwork at Holden Gallery Fine Art Masters Show
Student making notes while observing artworks on display at Holden Gallery, editorial photography capturing engagement and learning in art spaces
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Great to work with TOL Events, @adidas and @versus at @manchesterunited yesterday. @adidasfootball @adidaswomen
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Robert Indiana, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, September 2022
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Amsterdam Noord #amsterdam #amsterdamnoord
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It was a pleasure to photograph Ann Treneman for The Times recently, a shoot that resulted in my first cover for The Times Weekend supplement and my first image on the cover of The Times. Until 2015, Ann was The Times' parliamentary sketchwriter and then the paper's chief theatre critic. Ann subsequently retrained in horticulture and the article details her preparations for this year's Chelsea flower show for which she has designed a garden. @thetimes #thetimes #chelseaflowershow @timesweekend @the_rhs @show_chelsea @anntreneman1
Some highlights from my recent shoot at Adidas UK #adidasuk #adidasxgucci #sport #sportswear #reebok #adidasoriginals
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Frigates
Some paper peeling off a wall in Marseille. I'm currently in Scotland, the light is inferior #marseille #citeradieuse #southoffrance #suddelafrance #mediterranean
I am shocked and disappointed to hear that Alastair Hudson has been asked by the University of Manchester to leave his post as director of Manchester and Whitworth art galleries. Alastair turned the Whitworth into a gallery where diverse voices could be heard, excluded groups were welcomed and important questions asked. I hope the university sees fit to reverse its decision and I look forward to continuing to photograph the exhibitions curated under his guidance. #manchester #whitworthartgallery #whitworthgallery #manchesterart #cityartgallery #forensicarchitecture #alastairhudson @forensicarchitecture #university @whitworthart @magwagdirector
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In Situ (formerly The Commercial/Turville) in Hulme (or as it's now known, Castlefield) #manchester #castlefield #hulme
Mam Tor. Mother Hill. The Shivering Mountain. The base of Mam Tor is composed of black shales of the Bowland Shale Formation of Serpukhovian age overlain by turbiditic sandstone of the Mam Tor Sandstone Formation of Bashkirian age. #mamtor #derbyshire #nationalpark #nationaltrust #peakdistrict #edale #hope #castleton #geology
Lockdown BMW #bmw