MMU - UNIVERSITY MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR THEIR 200-YEARS CAMPAIGN
Earlier this year I was successful in applying to join Manchester Metropolitan University's (MMU) roster of photographers. This is an exciting milestone for my business and I've already started working on some great new projects with them.
Seems I came on board at a good time – just as MMU are celebrating the University's 200th anniversary. I was asked to capture portraits of professors and key figures and showcase some of their incredible facilities during the final chapter of this year-long celebration – titled "Tackling Inequalities".
During these university photography sessions, I met and captured some fascinating subjects. Their areas of research ranging from accent bias and justice reform to domestic violence and drug harm reduction. It was inspiring to learn firsthand the positive impact MMU is making on society.
As a Manchester freelance photographer specialising in brand and marketing photography and corporate lifestyle photography, I always hope to create visually compelling images that tell a story. For MMU's 200th anniversary project, I of course had to ensure my work was consistent with previous work created for the campaign, but I also focused on capturing the essence of the individual personalities of the subjects I photographed.
Another key consideration with these portraits was about getting the tone just right. Some of the subjects that these academics deal with are quite harrowing – domestic abuse, child justice and drug abuse just to name a few.
Corporate portraits and commercial lifestyle photography present some challenges. You want to represent your subjects in an authentic and engaging light, whilst including elements of context of what they specialise in. Sometimes people aren't comfortable in front of a camera and you often have limited time with them, so I want to quickly put them at ease so their true selves comes through in the final images.
As a higher education photographer, it's important to understand the university's brand and tone of voice. Then, through compelling images that are aligned, it's possible to help institutions like MMU connect with their audience. Whether it's showcasing groundbreaking research, highlighting student success stories, or promoting campus life, photography plays a vital role in shaping a university's brand identity.
I'm really grateful for the opportunity to work with Manchester Metropolitan University and especially to contribute to their 200th anniversary celebration. I'm also excited for what future opportunities may come my way whilst being part of their team of photographers.
IF YOU THINK MY STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY COULD HELP WITH YOUR BRAND OR MARKETING, THEN PLEASE DO GET IN TOUCH.