Greg Marsden photographed for Connected Places Catapult

It was a privilege to photograph Greg Marsden, a leading academic in transport planning and sustainable mobility, for the latest issue of Connected Places Catapult. Greg Marsden’s research focuses on the future of transport systems, mobility policy, and innovative infrastructure planning, making him a key voice in shaping smarter, more sustainable cities across the UK and beyond.

Choosing the Perfect Location for Editorial Portraiture

For this portrait, I wanted to create something dynamic and reflective of both his visionary work and the transformative power of urban environments. I chose the University of Leeds for its striking brutalist architecture—a location that perfectly complements Greg’s forward-looking approach to transport planning. The sculptural concrete walls and rough textures of the building provided a visually compelling backdrop, while streams of natural light falling through the structure allowed me to play with shadows and highlights to create depth and drama.

Dynamic Portraits with Light, Architecture, and Storytelling

In the image, Greg is looking up toward the light, a pose that emphasizes curiosity, reflection, and vision, moving beyond a standard academic headshot. By carefully positioning him within the intersecting planes of concrete, I captured both the human element and the architectural environment, producing a portrait that tells a story: of an academic at the forefront of shaping connected, future-ready cities, and a photographer exploring how light, texture, and composition can elevate storytelling in editorial portraiture.

Highlighting the Work of Connected Places Catapult

Connected Places Catapult plays a crucial role in translating academic research and innovative transport solutions into actionable urban strategies, fostering collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions. Documenting Greg Marsden in this context allowed me to highlight the connection between pioneering research and the environments it seeks to influence—perfectly marrying the worlds of photography, architecture, and sustainable urban development.

Photography Techniques for Academic and Environmental Portraits

This editorial portrait is a testament to how location, lighting, and pose can transform a simple academic portrait into a visually compelling story. Using natural light, brutalist architectural textures, and thoughtful composition, the portrait showcases Greg Marsden’s expertise in transport planning and the impact of Connected Places Catapult on the UK’s urban mobility landscape.

A Commercial photography commission for Transport for the North

I recently completed another commission for Transport for the North, focusing on the intersection of modern transportation infrastructure and sustainable mobility. The shoot took place in and around Warrington Bank Quay station on a cold, wintry day, providing a striking backdrop for capturing both railway and electric vehicle infrastructure.

As a professional photographer, I approached this project with the goal of documenting the full spectrum of travel and mobility, from railway tracks and station platforms to electric vehicle charging points and urban transport hubs. The result is a series of images that highlight how modern infrastructure supports people on the move, whether by train, car, or bicycle.

Photographing Railway Infrastructure at Warrington Bank Quay

Warrington Bank Quay station offered the perfect environment for railway photography. I captured expansive shots of the tracks, including the overhead equipment, signalling systems, and the intricate details of railway infrastructure. The wintry weather added texture and atmosphere, enhancing both wide-angle shots and detailed close-ups.

One of the highlights of the shoot was documenting people on station platforms. Photographing commuters and travellers in motion allowed me to combine the technical aspects of railway infrastructure with the human stories that give these spaces life. The balance between people and machinery emphasizes the dynamic nature of modern rail travel and creates compelling visual narratives for photography portfolios.

Capturing Electric Vehicle Charging and Sustainable Mobility

A significant focus of the commission was electric vehicle infrastructure. I photographed people charging electric cars in a variety of settings, including outdoor charging points and inside a multi-storey car park. Capturing the signage for charging points, as well as the interaction between people and technology, helped highlight the practical and user-focused aspects of sustainable transport.

In addition to electric cars, I documented cyclists and people recharging electric vehicles, emphasizing the broader picture of environmentally conscious travel. These images illustrate how modern transport networks accommodate multiple modes of mobility, from trains to electric vehicles and bicycles, making them highly relevant for transport-focused photography projects.

Integrating Aviation and Urban Context

While the primary focus was rail and electric vehicle infrastructure, the location provided opportunities for capturing more of the surrounding transport ecosystem. I managed to include a couple of aeroplanes in the sky above Warrington, adding an extra dimension to the story of regional connectivity. Including air travel alongside rail and electric vehicle transport underscores the diversity and interconnectedness of modern transport systems, making these images particularly valuable for photography clients and portfolios.

Photography Approach and Techniques

Shooting in a cold, wintery environment posed certain challenges, but it also created striking visual contrasts and textures. I used natural light and ambient conditions to enhance the atmosphere, emphasizing the industrial aesthetic of railway tracks and the clean design of electric vehicle charging stations. Photographing people interacting with infrastructure—whether boarding trains, using charging points, or cycling—added scale and narrative to the images, making them more engaging for viewers and highly relevant for SEO-focused content about photography.

Every aspect of the shoot was designed to highlight not only the functionality of transport infrastructure but also the human experience. This approach ensures that the photographs are versatile, suitable for commercial, editorial, or promotional use, while maintaining a strong visual impact for photography portfolios.

Why This Commission Matters for Photography

Documenting modern transport infrastructure is a compelling subject for professional photographers. From capturing the engineering details of railway systems to the interaction between people and electric vehicle technology, these projects provide a rich variety of visual opportunities. This commission demonstrates how photography can tell the story of regional transport development, sustainability initiatives, and human engagement, all while producing images that are visually striking and technically precise.

For photographers looking to expand their portfolios, projects like this are invaluable. They allow exploration of urban environments, transportation networks, and technological innovation, all while practicing composition, timing, and storytelling.