The 12 Best Editorial Photographers in Manchester, U.K.

Hoping to check out the work of the most talented Manchester editorial photographers? Then you’ve come to the right place. Editorial photography is a fairly vast field, covering any photography that graces the pages of a publication—and especially when it accompanies writing. Manchester’s editorial photographers help shape the way people see and understand the city, and that’s a powerful thing.

From events that become the talk of the town to desserts that find their way into cookbooks, editorial photography has become one of the most sought-after mediums to convey authentic storytelling. 

The city of Manchester has often been seen as the industrial heart of the United Kingdom. It contains the same soul of energetic commerce and vibrant hustle that hits the media today. Let’s take a look at 12 of the best Manchester editorial photographers who can make any publication archive-worthy.  

1. Alexandra Haslam

A glance at Alexandra Haslam’s Instagram shows some really attractive fashion portraits and concept shots. A closer look reveals some very familiar faces — we see stills from various movies and stars immersed in their roles. 

Haslam’s concept shots have been featured in MOEVIR PARIS magazine, #SheHeartsFilm features, and also a participatory exhibition called “Who are these women?”. Comfortably exploring color, black and white, and even more experimental editing, Haslam leaves no stone unturned in giving her photographs a unique flavor of their own. 

2. Jana Kukebal

Jana Kukebal has a photography practice that has traveled with her from Tallinn, Estonia to Berlin, and all the way to the UK, where she is currently based. 

With her extensive 10 years of experience, she’s also built up a bank of beautiful photographs to her credit. Characterized by soft warm poses and rich colors, she has created elegant, evocative imagery that celebrates the essence of natural beauty. Salyse magazine, Agarimo magazine, Pump, Faddy, and Elegant have all featured Kukebal’s exquisite work.

3. James Speakman

James Speakman’s work takes him to places where people, events, and businesses offer an unfiltered look at life in Manchester. Be it covering the explosive cheering of Liverpool’s win or anxious citizens getting vaccines or lining up to protest, Speakman’s pictures speak loudly. 

A regular contributor to the Mercury Press, Speakman also ensures his photos make a splash in public minds and give way to important — and at times uncomfortable — conversations.

4. Ryan Jenkinson

Newsworthy is the first word that comes to mind as we scroll through Ryan Jenkinson’s Instagram feed. In fact, from Ukraine war protests to communal issues, Jenkinson covers a wide range of issues.

From his style of framing and capturing, it is evident that he doesn’t consider himself some sort of impartial outsider. He gets up close to the people in the thick of the action each time. It’s no surprise to us that the Guardian, the Mirror, and the Daily Telegraph all feature his work. It makes him one of the best Manchester editorial photographers around. 

5. Jon Parker Lee

Jon Parker Lee’s extensive practice spans both still photography and cinematography. His Instagram reveals a steady grip on various niches — portraiture, food, landscapes, and of course, editorial photography.

Lee absolutely nails it when it comes to creating different moods in his pictures. In fact, his portraits can be funky, serious, intense, or straightforward — depending on his clients’ needs. Unsurprisingly, Lee’s enormous talent and experimental approach have led to frequent collaborations with leading UK publications. 

6. Mark Waugh

Manchester editorial photographer Mark Waugh has made his presence known in the city’s news media for over two decades now. In fact, he has worked with the Southern Manchester Reporter, the Manchester Evening News, and The Guardian. In doing so, he has built his reputation in the city steadily over time. 

His photographs cover several genres, like portraits, features, events, streetscapes, and even architectural photography. Aesthetically, Waugh’s work is also a perfect match for most publications — it’s stylish without being over-edited, creative without losing its authenticity.

7. Emma Phillipson

For Emma Phillipson, fashion and lifestyle editorial are where she truly finds her artistic expression. From eye-catching colors to bold compositions and immaculate backdrops, she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to capturing the Manchester fashion scene. 

Her breadth of work consists of both gorgeously art-directed captures, as well as soft portraits of the lifestyle genre, lively and spontaneous in their style. For those looking to amp up their fashion or lifestyle publications, hiring this Manchester editorial photographer is the next logical step. 

8. Darren Robinson

A Manchester editorial photographer with over 35 years of experience under his belt, there isn’t much Darren Robinson hasn’t photographed. His professional portraits frequently appear in major Manchester publications. Most recently, his work included being a part of the COVID-19 vaccination tour. 

His experience also shines through given how his portraits and captures tend to be engaging, strong, and vibrant. In fact, his is a level of skill that’s wonderful for the editorial and PR sphere. Lending his talents to publications like Insider and The Guardian, Robinson establishes himself as a fully realized editorial photographer. 

9. David Oates

It wouldn’t be fair to call David Oates just an editorial photographer. His published work is equally commendable for its minimalism, natural post-production work, and gorgeous visuals. No wonder the BBC, The Daily Telegraph, and The Guardian trust him to complement their written material. 

Other than symbolic, beautifully composed landscape photographs, he also shoots bold portraits featuring people from many different walks of life. They are the everyday heroes who get to tell their stories through Oates’ lens. When we look at his long list of published work, there is only one thought that comes to mind — “come for the words, stay for the pictures!” 

10. Kellianne Newiss

Kellianne has worked across the Peak district and Cheshire, capturing love in all its myriad forms. Her editorial photography centers around weddings, elopements, engagements, and a celebration of relationships overall. 

Few photos seem staged since the spontaneity of her photographs captures the spirit of the occasion and makes them fit to be immortalized. Her clientele includes both established and independent publications and brands like ASOS and Chaiiwala. With a career that’s so incredibly diverse, it’s not difficult to guess just how collaborative Newiss is. 

11. Robert Binder

Robert Binder’s fashion and lifestyle-centric photography has the ability to carry varied narratives for the many brands he creates for. Specializing in natural light pictures, he is an expert at creating a slight vintage feel to his imagery. 

What’s also interesting is his body of work as a photojournalist before moving into fashion and lifestyle photography. Having covered for the Manchester Evening News and NewsQuest as well as several weekly titles, there’s a storytelling-centric candidness to his work that makes it stand out. 

12. Paul Greenwood

Paul Greenwood’s sports photography is prolific, rich, and extremely diverse. Other than online publications, his work regularly graces publications such as The Manchester Evening News, The Times, Western Mail, and many others.

From boxing to football to rugby, he has managed to capture the thrill, excitement, joy, and despair that make these sporting events truly unforgettable. When we see athletes captured moments after winning an important game, we can’t help but feel like a part of their celebrations. Such is the power of Greenwood’s exceptional work! 

In the Manchester press

The most important thing for an editorial photographer is to see the frame and identify something story-worthy. A powerful image always leads to a powerful story. It even makes people stop and stare, to pick up a publication off a rack, and learn about what caught their attention. 

The city of Manchester is synonymous with thriving businesses and vibrant local communities. Its media consumption reflects its people, and how they navigate their everyday lives. And these Manchester editorial photographers have managed to show exactly that through their talents!

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