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David Oates | Manchester Photographer

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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.

Portrait of Shaun Ryder, musician and frontman, captured in a studio environment for promotional photography

Mantra of the Cosmos for the Times

David Oates February 10, 2025

When the news broke that Shaun Ryder, Zak Starkey, Andy Bell, and Bez were joining forces, the music world collectively raised an eyebrow. Would this be a glorious collision of musical titans or a cosmic car crash? Their debut single, "Gorilla Guerrilla," suggests the former. A psychedelic groove with a swagger that only these veterans could deliver, it's a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come.

Read More
In Editorial Tags Mantra of the Cosmos, Happy Mondays, Bez, Shaun Ryder, Zak Starkey, Andy Bell, Ride, Andy Bell of Ride, Oasis, Noel Gallagher, Blueprint Studios, The Times, Andy Bell Oasis, Zak Starkey Oasis
Close-up portrait of Meer Ali Khan indoors, professional editorial photography for Wall Street Journal feature on NEOM labor conditions

Photographing Meer Ali Khan for the Wall Street Journal

David Oates February 10, 2025

It was a privilege to meet Meer Ali Khan while on assignment for the Wall Street Journal.

Meer’s brother was killed only three months after starting work on the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. He hopes that by raising awareness of the fate suffered by his family, he can help prevent similar tragedies caused by harsh and unsafe working conditions.

Read More
In Documentary, Editorial Tags Meer Ali Khan, Wall Street Journal, Neom, Neom project, Saudi Arabia, unsafe working conditions, reports, documentaries, disturbing picture, Migrant workers, construction workforce, gruelling hours, unpaid wages, extreme heat, kafala system, Human rights, exploitation of migrant workers
Elderly woman sitting on a park bench looking at a historical display box describing her former home in Eccles, heritage photography and public art documentation

Documentary photography for Wild in Art - We Live Here Eccles

David Oates September 24, 2024

In the summer of 2023, visitors to Eccles discovered a vibrant Wild in Art trail celebrating the unique character and heritage of Eccles, which took over windows, walls and spaces in the town centre. The public art installation featured street art, paintings, murals, photography and pop up studios – all created by local artists and Eccles residents.

Read More
In Artists, Documentary, Event, Editorial, Portraits Tags Eccles, Wild in Art, Community, We Live Here, Community arts, regeneration photography, regeneration photographer, regeneration, meanwhile, meanwhile uses, eccles town centre, Lauren Mullarkey, Ben Reed, Greater Manchester, Manchester, Public Art, Street Art
Portrait of transport planning academic Greg Marsden looking up to natural light among sculptural brutalist concrete walls at University of Leeds, editorial photography for Connected Places Catapult

Greg Marsden photographed for Connected Places Catapult

David Oates July 2, 2024

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.

In Portraits, Editorial Tags Greg Marsden, Connected Places, Connected Places Catapult, transport, infrastructure, transport planning
Joe Thompson

Joe Thompson for ESPN

Soccer Players Talk Retirement for ESPN

David Oates October 3, 2023

A wonderful opportunity to meet and photograph former footballers Nedum Onuoha (ex-QPR and Manchester City), David Thompson (ex-Liverpool, Coventry and Blackburn) and Joe Thompson (ex-Rochdale and Tranmere) for a recent ESPN article discussing their varied experiences of retiring from the game.

Read More
In Editorial, Portraits Tags ESPN, Nedum Onuoha, David Thompson, Joe Thompson, Liverpool FC, Tranmere Rovers, QPR, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City Football Club, MCFC, Man City, Manchester City FC, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, Rochdale FC, Mark Ogden

Photographing for Art Fund at the Bronte Museum

David Oates April 4, 2023

Art Fund is a UK-based charity that aims to help museums and galleries to acquire and display works of art. The charity was established in 1903 and has since supported hundreds of museums and galleries across the country, helping to enhance their collections and make art more accessible to the public.

Read More
In Documentary, Artists, Editorial, Event Tags yorkshire photographer, Northern Photographer, Haworth, Bronte, Bronte museum, Zaffar Kunial, Amy Liptrot, Brontë sisters, West Yorkshire, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Bronte family home, Documentary photographer, Documentary Photography, documentary, Editorial Photography, Art Fund
A photograph of Princess Anne taken on commission for  UK Youth to document the visit of Princess Anne to The Station, Bristol.

Event Photography: Princess Anne Visits The Station, Bristol | UK Youth Commission

David Oates September 6, 2022

I was commissioned by UK Youth to photograph the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne to The Station, a youth centre located in Bristol. The visit showcased UK Youth’s ongoing programmes supporting young people across the region, highlighting educational initiatives, community engagement, and opportunities for youth development.

Read More
In Editorial, Documentary Tags the station bristol, UK Youth, youth work, young people, youth chaity, charity sector, charities, royal visit, Princess Anne, HRH Princess Anne, Young people princess anne, princess Anne young, Princess Anne youth, Young Royal, Royals young people, Royals youth work, royal youth work
Ann Treneman for The Times

Ann Treneman for The Times

David Oates May 24, 2022

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 newspaper.

Read More
In Editorial, Portraits Tags Ann Treneman, The Times, Times Weekend, Chelsea Flower show, Horticulture, garden design, theatre critic, Parliamentary Sketch writer, American Journalist, journalist, American, Ohio, Bakewell
Portrait of mental health activist John Junior for Samaritans campaign

John Junior for Samaritans

David Oates March 21, 2022

Another great shoot for Samaritans, photographing mental health activist John Junior.

In 2019, John started vlogging about his experiences of mental health issues on Instagram in order "to reach out to others with mental health difficulties". In May 2020 his vlogs on Instagram caught the attention of UNILAD, who approached Junior to test Samaritans self-help app during mental health awareness week and to help raise awareness for world suicide prevention day on 10 September 2020.

Read More
In Documentary, Editorial, Portraits Tags Samaritans, John Junior, Mental Health, Suicide, suicide prevention, Unilad, Hollyoaks, Dialectical behaviour therapy, NHS, Instagram, World Suicide Prevention Day
Fidaa and Lily photographed for Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation clean air campaign

Lillian and Fidaa for Asthma UK - British Lung Foundation

David Oates February 8, 2022

It was wonderful to meet and photograph Fidaa and Lily and be a part of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation’s vital campaign for clean air.

Lily has asthma, which is exacerbated by air pollution.

“She is nine years old now and has had breathing problems since she was a baby. Her old school was in an area with very high pollution levels, despite being near a park and off the main road. School is a place where children should be safe, but too many of them are in high air pollution areas.”

The family didn’t realise how bad the pollution was until Lily’s friend’s mum, Ruth, borrowed an air quality monitor from the British Lung Foundation. The results showed regular spikes of nitrogen dioxide that peak 50 per cent above EU legal limits. Ruth pushed the council to take action, starting a petition to create ‘school streets’ and ban cars on the roads close to schools at drop off and pick up times.

“Politicians simply aren’t taking enough action to clean our air. We need less traffic on the roads and social housing needs to be safer for children with asthma. They need more trees and green spaces to clean the air. Fresh air is so good for their lungs.”

Read More
In Documentary, Editorial, Portraits Tags Asthma, Asthma UK, British Lung Foundation, Air pollution, Air pollution Manchester, Manchester CAZ, Clean Air Zone, Manchester Clean Air Zone, Andy Burnham, Manchester pollution, CAZ, Clean Air, Vehicle Pollution, Car pollution, pollution manchester, Diesel, NO2
Langfields process plant fabrication facility in Manchester

Langfields

David Oates February 7, 2022

Langfields are specialist fabricators of process plant for the Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Offshore, Oil & Gas, Marine, Defence, Nuclear and other process industries. Based only one mile from Deansgate they demonstrate that there is still some manufacturing industry in the post-industrial city.

As a former engineer, I love visiting these places and finding out what’s being made and the techniques used.

The fabricators at Langfields receive giant 18mm Aluminium plates and within the space of only 20 metres, cut, bend and weld it into complex, water-jacketed vessels according to the exacting specifications of high tech industries.

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In Documentary, Commercial, Editorial, Industrial, Website Tags Langfields, Welding, Grinding, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Industrial, industrial photography, industrial photographer, deansgate, Nuclear, Nuclear Industry, metal work, metal working, post industrial, Manchester industry, industries, engineering photograph, engineering, engineering photography, manchester, Manchester Photographer, Manchester photographer, Manchester Photography, salford
Mark Radcliffe and Paul Langley recording podcast at Science and Industry Museum Manchester

Mark Radcliffe for Art Fund

David Oates November 9, 2021

I was very pleased to be asked to contribute stills for a forthcoming episode of Art Fund’s Meet Me at the Museum podcast, in which radio presenter Mark Radcliffe and his bandmate Paul Langley tour Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Read More
In Documentary, Editorial Tags UNE, UNE band, Paul Langley, Mark Radcliffe, mark radcliffe, mark radcliffe paul langley, radio 6 music, radio 6, radio 2, radio, radio presenter, manchester, Manchester Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, MOSI, Use Hearing Protection, Factory Records, Madchester, hacienda, the hacienda, manchester music, Art Fund, Meet me at the Museum, Radio 1, Joy Division, Anthony Wilson, Tony Wilson, Situationist, Peter Saville, Alan Erasmus, New Order
Portrait of Sheila Anderson photographed for Samaritans campaign

Sheila Anderson for Samaritans

David Oates November 9, 2021

Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the wonderful Sheila Anderson on behalf of the Samaritans. Sheila had taken part in the Samaritans’ Managing Suicidal Conversations training while working for the railways and has since helped a number of people in very difficult situations.

Sheila was on her way to the weekly shop when she saw someone who needed help – trusting her instincts, she struck up a conversation and managed to get them to safety, potentially saving their life.

“Around the beginning of last year, I was on the way to my weekly shop when I came across a young woman in floods of tears, I stopped the car and slowly approached her. I asked, “has something happened to bring you here today?” and I could tell that instantly broke her thoughts. She told me her name and said she was struggling to cope as she wasn’t able to get the support she needed.

Read More
In Editorial, Documentary, Portraits Tags Samaritans, Small Talk Saves Lives, Sheila Anderson, Network Rail, Huddersfield, Huddersfield Railway Station, Suicide, suicide prevention

Brades Farm for the Financial Times

David Oates October 27, 2021

I had an informative and enjoyable day at Brades Farm near Lancaster shooting pictures for an article about the ecological impact of dairy farming for the Financial Times.

Father and son farmers John and Ed Towers add Mootral - a garlic-based supplement - to their cows feed, reducing the methane emissions from their (the cows) profuse flatulence by 20% and lowering the environmental impact of the farm by 10%.

Thanks to Ed and John for the comprehensive tour, the coffees and the much needed lend of the wellies.

Read More
In Documentary, Editorial Tags Brades Farm, dairy farming, lancaster, lancaster photography, lancaster photographer, milk, cows, jersey cows, holstein fresians, fresians, milk production, mootral, garlic, garlic supplements, CO2, global warming, alternative milks, COP26, british farming, Farms, Farmers, Financial Times, The Financial Times, FT, The FT
_37B0096.jpg

Bruce Grobbelaar for 11 Freunde

David Oates September 16, 2021

A recent commission to photograph Liverpool FC legend Bruce Grobbelaar for German football magazine 11 Freunde.

A total gent who even bought me a beer at the end of the shoot, I think that’s the first time that’s happened in 20 years!

Read More
In Editorial, Portraits Tags LFC, Liverpool Photographer, Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Liverpool Football Club, Bruce Grobbelaar, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, footballer, professional, professional footballer, goalkeeper, Zimbabwean national team, Ottawa Fury FC, North American Soccer League, Matabeleland, Rhodesian Army, Vancouver Whitecaps, Crewe Alexandra, Merseyside, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup, Footballer, Football, sportsman, sports, sport
_37B7021.jpg

Cloud Studies by Forensic Architecture

David Oates July 12, 2021

Photographs from the excellent new exhibition Cloud Studies by Forensic Architecture currently showing at Whitworth Art Gallery as part of Manchester International Festival.

https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/cloudstudies

‘Cloud Studies’ was made for the exhibition Critical Zones: Observatories for earthly politics at ZKM Centre for Art and Media in Karlsruhe. Alongside the physical exhibition, our work is also presented on the virtual exhibition platform.

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In Documentary, Editorial, Event Tags MIF, MIF2021, Art gallery photography, Art, art installation, artist, art opening, Art in Manchester, Arts in Manchester, Manchester Art Gallery, Whitworth Art Gallery, university, University of Manchester, Cloud Studies, Forensic Architecture
_37B1300.jpg

Sue Steer for the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

David Oates May 12, 2021

I was asked by London-based agency Sunday to visit Sue Steer at her home in Shropshire a few weeks ago to take some portrait photographs. Sue is a rural surveyor and the pictures were to accompany an article in the Royal Society for Chartered Surveyors’ Modus magazine.

Read More
In Commercial, Editorial, Portraits Tags Sue Steer, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Surveying, Rural surveryor, rural surveyors, professional social media photography, Portrait Photography, Sunday agency, Sunday, Shropshire, Shropshire hills, Manchester Photographer, midlands photographer, midlands photography, commercial photographer, commercial photography, commissioned photography, Modus, Modus magazine, RICS
_37B0935.jpg

Bradley Dreha for Dwell Magazine

David Oates March 4, 2021

When Bradley Dreha revamped his bedroom he decided to post before and after pictures on TikTok. The results were so good that San Francisco based design magazine Dwell got in touch to ask him for an interview.

Dwell then asked me to visit Bradley at his home in Walton, Merseyside to photograph him and his room for the latest issue of the magazine.

You can see more of Bradley’s work on Instagram @shitprints2

Dwell magazine can be found at dwell.com

Read More
In Editorial, Documentary, Portraits Tags Bradley Dreha, Dwell, Dwell magazine, Interior design, design, interiors, design agency, american, dwell design, walton, merseyside, Liverpool Photography, Liverpool Photographer, decorating, painting, painting and decorating, Art, liverpool
Portrait of Fran Miller

Photographing Fran Millar: Cycling Leader and Former Team Ineos CEO for Rouleur Magazine

David Oates February 17, 2021

It was great to photograph Fran Millar CEO of Belstaff and former CEO of Team Ineos for this month’s Rouleur magazine, an entire edition dedicated to and celebrating women and cycling.

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In Editorial, Portraits Tags Fran Millar, Rouleur, Rouleur magazine, teamineos, ineosgrenadiers, belstaff, rouleur, David Millar
Seashell Trust & Lauren Mullarkey Location: The Atrium, Library Walk (mixed media installation)

Seashell Trust & Lauren Mullarkey Location: The Atrium, Library Walk (mixed media installation)

50 Windows of Creativity. An assignment for Wild in Art

David Oates November 16, 2020

This autumn, Manchester is hosting 50 Windows of Creativity, a showcase of the work of artists and makers displayed in a series of windows, venues, businesses and spaces across the city centre.

The displays feature multiple art forms from fine art and photography to ceramics, crafts, mosaics and murals curated by well-known and emerging artists and collectives – all with a connection to Greater Manchester.

Read More
In Documentary, Artists, Event, Editorial, Portraits, Street Photography Tags 50 Windows of Creativity, Wild in Art, Manchester, Manchester photographer, Manchester Photography, Manchester Photographer, graffiti, street Art, Art, Lockdown, Covid 19, Coronavirus, Manchester art, Arts in Manchester, Art in Manchester, Outdoor event, Walking trail, Urban walking trail, urban art trail
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Associated, Brooklyn
Associated, Brooklyn
Great to work with TOL Events, @adidas and @versus at @manchesterunited yesterday.

@adidasfootball @adidaswomen
Great to work with TOL Events, @adidas and @versus at @manchesterunited yesterday. @adidasfootball @adidaswomen
Pizza fire
Pizza fire
Robert Indiana, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, September 2022
Robert Indiana, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, September 2022
Buslingthorpe Works.
Buslingthorpe Works.
Manchester City Gallery

#manchester
#gallery
Manchester City Gallery #manchester #gallery
Barmouth beach 

#barmouth #wales
Barmouth beach #barmouth #wales
Amsterdam Noord

#amsterdam #amsterdamnoord
Amsterdam Noord #amsterdam #amsterdamnoord
#wales #beach #seaside #holidays
#wales #beach #seaside #holidays
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
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
Some highlights from my recent shoot at Adidas UK #adidasuk #adidasxgucci #sport #sportswear #reebok #adidasoriginals
#britishrailways #britishrail #eastlancashirerailway #bury #train #trainspotting #heritagerailway
#britishrailways #britishrail #eastlancashirerailway #bury #train #trainspotting #heritagerailway
Frigates
Frigates
Some paper peeling off a wall in Marseille. I'm currently in Scotland, the light is inferior

#marseille #citeradieuse #southoffrance #suddelafrance #mediterranean
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 coul
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
In the spray booth

#carbody #manchester #bodyshop #spraybooth
In the spray booth #carbody #manchester #bodyshop #spraybooth
In Situ (formerly The Commercial/Turville) in Hulme (or as it's now known, Castlefield)

#manchester #castlefield #hulme
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 F
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
Lockdown BMW #bmw

David Oates is a photographer based in Manchester, England.

Clients include Wall Street Journal, ESPN, The Financial Times, Art Fund, Transport for the North, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, BP, BBC, The Times, The Observer, UK Youth, Samaritans, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Asthma UK, Finisterre, 11 Freunde (Berlin), Scandinavian Airlines, Manchester Museum, OTW (Stockholm, Business Insider (New York) and the British Ecological Society.

Exhibited internationally at Dallas Biennial, Recontres D’Arles, France; Festival Images, Vevey, Switzerland and the Dong Gang Photography Festival, Korea.


David Oates Photography

david@davidoates.net

07732 272 163

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