Vinyl Against Apartheid: Event Photography in Manchester at The Carlton Club
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

Vinyl Against Apartheid: Event Photography in Manchester at The Carlton Club

A Different Kind of Event to Photograph

As a Manchester event photographer, you get used to a wide range of gigs—but every now and then something comes along that feels a bit more meaningful. Photographing Vinyl Against Apartheid’s Get Funked For Falastine was one of those nights. It wasn’t just about the music or the crowd—it was about what the event stood for.

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EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum: Documentary Event Photography by David Oates
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum: Documentary Event Photography by David Oates

EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum

EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum was a full-day and evening programme of talks, workshops, performances and installations exploring the relationship between music, nature and climate. The event brought together artists, scientists, activists and audiences in a shared space, combining cultural programming with environmental themes.

The event was part of the wider EarthSonic project, which focuses on using sound and music as a way to engage people with biodiversity and climate issues.

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Corporate Event Photography in Manchester for CDW
Conference, Commercial David Oates Conference, Commercial David Oates

Corporate Event Photography in Manchester for CDW

I was recently commissioned by Coolbox Films to deliver a comprehensive corporate photography shoot for CDW at their Manchester offices. The brief combined conference coverage with the creation of a versatile marketing image library for future use.

As a Manchester-based commercial photographer, I regularly work with businesses to produce high-quality imagery for websites, social media, PR and internal communications. This project was a great example of how a single shoot can generate a wide range of visual assets.

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Manchester Conference Photography: Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase Event Coverage
Conference, Event, Documentary David Oates Conference, Event, Documentary David Oates

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.

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Delaine Le Bas: Un-Fair-Ground Exhibition Photography at The Whitworth
Artists, Event David Oates Artists, Event David Oates

Delaine Le Bas: Un-Fair-Ground Exhibition Photography at The Whitworth

At the opening of Un-Fair-Ground at The Whitworth in Manchester, artist Delaine Le Bas transformed the gallery into an immersive environment using layered textiles, painted slogans, and fairground imagery. The exhibition is designed to be experienced as a single, cohesive space rather than a series of separate works, inviting visitors to engage with themes of visibility, representation, and resistance.

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Photographing the Manchester Artist Teacher Collective
Documentary, Artists, Event, Schools, Conference David Oates Documentary, Artists, Event, Schools, Conference David Oates

Photographing the Manchester Artist Teacher Collective

Manchester Artist Teacher Collective (MATC) is a group of artist teachers from secondary schools and colleges across Manchester, and gallery educators from Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth and HOME. They foster collaboration between art educators, local artists, studios and gallery spaces. Through this collaboration, they seek to develop and share artistic and educational expertise, enabling teachers to engage with contemporary practices and sustained personal making. By centring on the artist teachers’ own creative development, the collective highlights the local cultural ecology and future opportunities within Manchester for the young people they teach. 

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Documenting an Art Fund Event Across Liverpool’s Museums and Galleries
Documentary, Conference, Artists, Event David Oates Documentary, Conference, Artists, Event David Oates

Documenting an Art Fund Event Across Liverpool’s Museums and Galleries

Art Fund is the UK’s national charity supporting museums and galleries. For over 120 years grants have helped them to acquire, commission and display great works of art, fund curatorial training and research, and reach new communities and audiences across the UK. Their Art Partners are a group of patrons who share our passion for museums and galleries, providing annual support that makes our work possible. I was asked to document a patron’s event in Liverpool that gave exclusive insights into their work and the museums they support.

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Mantra of the Cosmos for the Times
Editorial David Oates Editorial David Oates

Mantra of the Cosmos for the Times

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.

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Photographing Meer Ali Khan for the Wall Street Journal
Documentary, Editorial David Oates Documentary, Editorial David Oates

Photographing Meer Ali Khan for the Wall Street Journal

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.

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Documenting the Station Agent's House for The Landmark Trust
Commercial, Architecture David Oates Commercial, Architecture David Oates

Documenting the Station Agent's House for The Landmark Trust

In 1830, the Railway Age began with the launch of Liverpool Road Station, recognised as the first railway terminus specifically designed for inter-city passenger travel. The residence of its original Station Agent has been transformed by the Landmark Trust into an eco-friendly and accessible holiday let in the heart of Manchester. I was fortunate to photograph the building before the restoration, during its renovation and after completion.

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

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Documentary photography for Wild in Art - We Live Here Eccles
Artists, Documentary, Event, Editorial, Portraits David Oates Artists, Documentary, Event, Editorial, Portraits David Oates

Documentary photography for Wild in Art - We Live Here Eccles

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.

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Documentary photography of Manchester School of Art - End of Year shows
Artists, Documentary David Oates Artists, Documentary David Oates

Documentary photography of Manchester School of Art - End of Year shows

As a freelance photographer, I’ve had the privilege of covering a range of events, from high-profile gallery openings to intimate artist workshops. But there’s something uniquely electric about photographing the Manchester School of Art’s Final Year Shows. This annual event is a visual feast—a whirlwind of creative expression that radiates youthful energy and bold experimentation.

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Photographing the Adidas Marketing Conference at Factory International, Mancheste
Documentary, Event, Commercial, Conference David Oates Documentary, Event, Commercial, Conference David Oates

Photographing the Adidas Marketing Conference at Factory International, Mancheste

I always look forward to photographing the Adidas Marketing conferences, and this year’s event at Factory International in Manchester was nothing short of spectacular. Working alongside Jules from TOL Events, who consistently delivers remarkable experiences, I was excited to capture every moment of this high-energy gathering.

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Photographing Manchester Museum for Art Fund
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

Photographing Manchester Museum for Art Fund

The newly remodelled Manchester Museum has officially opened its doors, and as a professional photographer, I had the pleasure of capturing the energy, excitement, and intricate details of this incredible space. Commissioned by Art Fund, I spent several hours documenting the museum’s refreshed galleries and exhibits, and I left inspired by both the design and the crowds.

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A Commercial photography commission for Transport for the North
Documentary, Commercial, Advertising David Oates Documentary, Commercial, Advertising David Oates

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.

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Commercial photography for Transport for the North
Commercial, Documentary, Industrial, Advertising David Oates Commercial, Documentary, Industrial, Advertising David Oates

Commercial photography for Transport for the North

I recently completed a comprehensive series of images for long-standing client Transport for the North, documenting railway stations across the North of England. As a professional photographer, I am proud to contribute to their efforts to demonstrate to the government the region’s growing need for well-planned and efficient transport infrastructure. This project combines technical photography with human-focused storytelling, highlighting how people navigate the North’s key transport hubs.

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