ARCHITECTURAL + UNIVERSITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Group of architecture students collaborating over floor plans at a large studio desk

PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY TO DOCUMENT THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENT EXPERIENCE: CAPTURING CAMPUS FACILITIES, STUDENT LIFESTYLE + UNIVERSITY LIFE ACROSS MMU + UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, FRAMED AGAINST THE CITY’S RICH ARCHITECTURAL BACKDROP

Exterior architectural photograph showing steps in circle square manchester and people sitting

The hands-on design process and creative experimentation within the MSA studios with students and yellow chairs

Architectural detail shot of historic and modern Manchester buildings framed in a cropped angle.

Architectural models and lockers with signage in learning space

THE BRIEF

Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) (a collaboration of both Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester) commissioned me to capture new visual assets combining architectural and lifestyle photography alongside video production. Designed to support student recruitment activities, the new assets would be used across brochures, prospectuses and global digital campaigns. They wanted a distinct visual narrative for the school, that felt inspiring, motivational, and sophisticated. More aligned to an architectural style over higher education photography.

I was so excited to get this brief. To have the opportunity to combine architectural and lifestyle photography with an educational context AND shots of Manchester, brings together some of the core pillars of my work into one project. The work needed to highlight the unique advantage MSA offers its students as a collaboration between two Manchester universities, capturing the scale of the school’s resources and facilities. As well as the school, they wanted to show what life is like for an MSA student, so I would also need to capture student interactions in live working environments, and shoot student lifestyle photography around the Manchester campuses.

The primary hero video would be anchored by academic and student voices and would help connect the institution directly to Manchester itself, showcasing how the city can serve as an extended classroom for aspiring architects.

Sunlight illuminating the modern exterior facade of the Manchester School of Architecture.

The hands-on design process and creative experimentation within the MSA studios.

Students seated in a sunny campus courtyard with architectural facades behind them.

Students walking in lifestyle shot showing University heritage architecture

Group of architecture students collaborating over models at a large studio desk

Learning environment with models and materials and colour charts

Image showing street scene in Manchester and examples of layered architecture

Architectural view looking up a multi-story concrete building

View of heritage building with columns and greenery in foreground

Deep shadows and strong sunlight casting geometric patterns across a building exterior with bicycles

THE PROCESS

If any project deserves a complicated spreadsheet to help with the planning and preparation, it's this one. Shooting both stills and video together, while working with student models across live, working university campuses requires strict planning, clear communications, and a bit of efficient technical agility.

To maximise efficiency I chose to shoot stills and video in tandem, working with two camera setups. This allowed us to maintain a visual consistency across both formats, helping ensure colour profiles, lighting, and composition matched seamlessly between the stills and motion footage.

Working in active studio environments, the aim was to find a balance somewhere between spontaneous energy and architectural control. We worked with volunteer student models, directing them to interact naturally within the spaces, while deliberately framing shots to preserve clean architectural lines and spaces – echoing the industry style and standards found in architecture photography.

Lighting played a pivotal role throughout the shoot. We were really lucky with the weather too, allowing us to use natural light over studio lights. Video footage was primarily tripod-based to deliver stable, architectural framing. Augmented with some subtle slider action, to add a bit of fluid motion to the interior sequences.

Interviews with the Head of School, academic staff, and students were recorded with audio to support the visual narrative with authentic, clear commentary.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“STEVE WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH ON A RECENT PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY PROJECT FOR MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER AND MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY. HE TOOK THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE BRIEF, LISTENED TO WHAT WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE, AND DELIVERED A SUITE OF HIGH QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO THAT REFLECTED THE SCHOOL REALLY WELL.

HE WAS PROFESSIONAL, EASY TO WORK WITH, AND FLEXIBLE THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT, MAKING THE WHOLE PROCESS STRAIGHTFORWARD FROM START TO FINISH. I’D RECOMMEND STEVE TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY THAT COMBINES CREATIVITY WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF A CLIENT'S OBJECTIVES.”

– Pete Jones, Marketing Manager – Creative and Culture, Manchester Metropolitan University

Students in a sunny campus courtyard with architectural features behind them.

Models showing design process and creative experimentation in architecture studies.

Students making models and demonstrating creative experimentation within the MSA studios.

RESPONSE

I loved working on this project. It was fascinating to pull back the curtain and see how the students work. I was especially drawn to the architectural models and think there could be a future personal project to come back to there.

The final assets pull together as a complete portfolio that reflects both editorial architecture and candid lifestyle storytelling. The photography showcases a vision of student and campus life at MSA. From close-ups of the delicate, handcrafted architectural models to clean, wide-angle interior views of the studios and workshops. Integrated with more human-centric lifestyle photography, showing students in discussion over design boards, collaborative model-building sessions, and quiet focus in the workshops. And on top of all of that, some key architectural observations from both the university sites with a few examples from the Manchester cityscape were included, grounding MSA within an exciting city context.

Getting the stills photography nailed down first was important. I wanted the photography to inform the video. I ended up incorporating some of the stills directly into the motion timeline alongside the contextual b-roll, interviews, and footage of the students in everyday scenarios around the School. Opening with an introduction from the Head of School, the final 3 minute film touches on academic insights and the scope of the curriculum, before closing with some authentic, lived experiences from the students themselves.

Students sit on steps outside MSA in architectural shot

Modern glass architectural structure with people and greenery

Modern architecture examples in manchester, abstract angle showing materials

Heritage architecture photograph captured around the campuses of the Manchester universities. Trees and sunlight create shadows

Manchester chinatown architecture with a pagoda in foreground and buildings behind

Manchester City centre architecture shows central library and town hall against a blue sky

PROJECT DIRECTORY

Client: Manchester School of Architecture (MMU + University of Manchester)
Location: MSA, MMU + UoM, Oxford Road + Manchester City Centre
Commission Type: Higher Education Lifestyle Photography / Architectural Photography / Placemaking / Commercial Video Production
Deliverables: Stills photography + 3-Minute Hero Film
Lead Photographer: Steve Longbottom (Manchester Commercial Photographer)

LET’S COLLABORATE ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT

I WORK WITH CLIENTS LOOKING FOR AUTHENTIC, CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO THAT WILL HELP THEM ENGAGE WITH THEIR AUDIENCES AND ADD VALUE.

MY COMMERCIAL PORTFOLIO INCLUDES COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, PLACEMAKING, ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS AND LIFESTYLE – AS WELL AS BESPOKE BRAND AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY THAT TOUCHES ALL GENRES.

ARCHITECTURAL + UNIVERSITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHYFOR MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE