The next Creative Boom IRL in MCR is in 2 weeks people!!!
Please share this post to your networks, get out from behind those screens, come find your tribe and don’t be shy, say hi! 👋☺️
As a commercial photographer working in advertising and TV production, I know how important real life creative communities are. So much of this industry runs on relationships, trust, collaboration and finding your people. Sometimes the best opportunities start with just chatting to someone over a drink instead of through a screen.
The next FREE networking event for creative industry professionals, from agency teams and production companies through to freelancers and crew:
📍 WHERE: HOME Manchester
📅 WHEN: Wednesday 27th May, 6pm
Can’t wait to see some regular faces and hopefully meet some shiny new ones too ✨
#CreativeBoom
#TVProduction
#AdvertisingIndustry
#ManchesterCreatives
#FreelanceCreative
“Great to hear practical, no nonsense advice from someone who is building a community and trying to protect creatives.”
Honestly, that feedback meant a lot after speaking last week at the GM Creative Industries Exchange at @newcenturymcr
The panel was called ‘Freelancing in the Creative Industries: Stability, Safety & the Future of Work’ and we got into the real stuff. Burnout, instability, visibility, AI, contracts, creative careers and the pressure of trying to sustain freelance work long term without losing yourself in the process 😅
As someone working in advertising photography and TV commercials, a lot of my world exists in high pressure production environments, so it was good to have a conversation that felt honest rather than polished.
I also spoke about why I care so much about community and helping people feel less isolated in this industry, which is a huge part of why I host Creative Boom IRL Manchester.
Big thanks to @rachelchesters Chesters for chairing such a thoughtful panel and to fellow panelists Lewys Taylor, Liam Heeley, @jroywills@dkcoaching_ and ace to see @stan_chow on the line up ✨
#AdvertisingPhotography #TVCommercials #ManchesterCreatives #CreativeIndustries #CommercialPhotography
Under US copyright law, if your campaign imagery was generated entirely by AI, your brand cannot copyright it. And anyone who wants to copy it can.
I was on a panel last week at OVO's offices in Notting Hill talking about AI, creativity and what it demands from the people commissioning creative work. I was the only photographer in the room.
The Thaler v. Perlmutter case, upheld through every US court with a Supreme Court refusal to hear the appeal in early 2026, established that human authorship is a bedrock requirement of copyright. No human involvement means no protection. UK law offers some cover for computer-generated works but it's weaker and actively being reviewed.
Keeping a human creative involved isn't a compromise. It's how a brand protects the visual identity and emotional contract it has spent decades building with its customers.
I'm not anti-AI. I shoot in virtual production LED volume studios where the environment around the talent is AI-generated. But the human eye, the reading of a moment, the relationship with the person in front of the lens, that's still what makes it work.
Link in bio.
#AdvertisingPhotography #CommercialPhotographer #AIandCreativity #Copyright #HumanAuthorship #BrandProtection #VirtualProduction #CreativeIndustries #Photography #AI
I’m still reeling!! 😳
I’ve been grafting hard to spread the word about the event I host and it’s finally paying off!! More agency people, tonnes of freelance creatives and even folk from client side rocked up too!
Around 50/60 people came to HOME this week, our new venue and it was amazing, it made me quite emotional and I feel proud. I loved our first space at Common and the staff looked after us so well (thank you guys!) but Creative Boom IRL #Manchester has now grown from 15-20 attendees to 50/60. Common will be missed, it’s a venue close to my own heart and will always the place where Creative Boom IRL MCR began.
Thanks to everyone who came, please tag yourself below so I can connect with you all on here and A MASIVE THABK YOU FOR COMING!!! ☺️
#CreativeBoomIRL
#ManchesterCreatives
#ManchesterFreelancers
#ManchesterNetworking
Manchester creatives… fancy getting out from behind the screen for a few hours?
I’ll be hosting the next @creativeboom IRL meetup in Manchester and you’re invited.
It’s a relaxed evening for creatives across advertising, design, photography, film, marketing and more to hang out, chat and meet other people in the industry.
No panels. No awkward networking. Just good people and good conversation.
The Manchester creative community is honestly one of the friendliest around and every event keeps getting bigger.
If you’ve been thinking about coming along, this is your sign.
📍 HOME, First Street, Manchester
📅 Wed 25 March
⏰ 6–9pm
See you there.
#CreativeBoom
#ManchesterCreatives
#ManchesterCreative
#ManchesterEvents
#CreativeCommunity
#FreelanceCreatives
#AdvertisingLife
#DesignCommunity
#CreativeNetworking
#ManchesterFreelancers
Virtual production isn’t just for film. It might be even more interesting for stills photography.
Last week I spoke in Manchester at Silver Scape Studios during MAD//North, following a demo of AI-assisted virtual production using an LED volume.
Most conversations about this technology focus on film and TV.
But as a photographer working across advertising, branding and unit stills, what fascinates me is what it unlocks for stills photography.
When environments, lighting and time of day can be designed before the shoot even begins, photography shifts from capturing reality to helping design it.
That raises a big question currently surrounding AI in creative industries: authorship.
Rather than replacing photographers, tools like virtual production can actually strengthen the photographer’s role as a visual author and creative collaborator.
Another interesting shift is confidence.
Agencies can see the world before committing.
Clients can sign off environments earlier.
Production teams avoid last-minute changes.
In other words: this tech doesn’t just save time.
It saves confidence.
For those of us working in Manchester and across the North, that’s particularly exciting.
Huge thanks to everyone involved in the showcase. @silverscapestudios@versastudios
Curious to hear what other photographers, creatives and producers think about virtual production for stills.
#AdvertisingPhotography
#UnitStills
#VirtualProduction
#ManchesterCreatives
#CommercialPhotography
AI isn’t replacing stills photography, it’s giving us a MASSIVE upgrade. And today in Manchester, I’ve seen exactly how.
I’ve been invited to reflect and say a few words on Virtual Production from a campaign stills photographer perspective and also as host of @creativeboom IRL events in Manchester TODAY at 4:00 PM at @silverscapestudios Studios alongside Simon Binns, Ian Armstrong and the incredibly talented David Tree, as part of MAD//FEST North!
They’ll be taking a deep dive into the latest developments in AI-Accelerated Virtual Production. Silverscape will be sharing some recent New Product Development examples, discussing the real-world implications for creators and brands, and wrapping up with a live Q&A.
Can't make it today? Don't worry!
They are hosting a second, entirely FREE session TOMORROW, Thursday, Feb 26th at 2:30 PM. You do not need a MAD//North ticket to attend this one!
Capacity is capped at 200 people and it is strictly first-come, first-served.
Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
#VirtualProduction #AI #StillsPhotography #MADFestNorth #VirtualProductionManchester
Manchester’s creative sector is booming right now.
But there’s a group of us sitting in the middle that no one seems to be talking about.
-Over the past few weeks I’ve been deep in production, shooting unit stills and Out-of-Home campaigns, and in between that I’ve been in some brilliant rooms across the city.
-The Creative Growth Production Cohort was genuinely eye-opening. -The sessions on AI and virtual production, plus the tour of @silverscapestudios Studios with @simonbinns44 made it clear how fast things are moving. It was also great to meet hazdazzle and hear Walli Ullah’s perspective on where the industry is heading.
-I joined the Agency Leaders Lunch at Elnecot for the first time and caught up with @rachelchesters@whartonsimon and Adam Ralph. Huge thanks to @forwardrole for organising.
-And the GMCA Creative Mixer at Aviva Studios was another reminder of how strong this city’s creative community is. Great to see @fayeaydinhairmakeup and hear Gemma Blades and @mix_stress speak.
-Here’s what’s been on my mind.
There’s significant investment coming into the creative sector. That’s a positive. But established freelancers and sole traders who deliver high-level commercial work don’t always fit the funding criteria.
-We’re scaling campaigns through collaboration, not payroll. We’re helping agencies and brands create advertising, branding and OOH work that drives growth. Yet when it comes to support, we’re often the “missing middle.”
-I’m curious whether others are feeling this too. What are you seeing in the industry right now?
-And if you’re an agency, brand or production company looking for advertising photography, branding visuals, campaign work or unit stills, I’d love to connect. Link in bio.
#AdvertisingPhotography #CommercialPhotographer #UnitStills #OOHAdvertising #BrandPhotography #CampaignPhotography #ManchesterPhotographer #ManchesterCreatives #CreativeIndustryUK #CreativeDirectors #ArtDirectors #Producers #FilmProduction #MarketingUK #NorthWestCreatives
Clients want campaign images yesterday. Agencies need a photographer who can interpret the brief with clarity and execute a polished shoot fast, with the right talent and production values.
For stills only campaigns, I plan efficiently, coordinate the team, and deliver images ready for OOH, digital, and print. On TVC-adjacent shoots, I work alongside the crew and capture stills that match the hero film without disrupting production.
Calm, fast, precise. I anticipate challenges, read what the creative team needs, and produce work that makes every other role on set easier. No ego. No drama.
📍Manchester and beyond
Planning a campaign in the North West or beyond? Get in touch (link in bio) and let’s talk about a stills photographer who delivers results while keeping production flowing.
#CampaignStills
#AdvertisingPhotographer
#CreativeProduction
#CreativeCollaboration
#AgencyLife
#MarketingAgency
#PRAgency
#ProductionLife
#CommercialPhotography
#ManchesterCreatives
#UKCreatives
Hosting this week's @creativeboom IRL reminded me of why I do it... I really buzz off it!
A lot of people work from home like I do and I love bringing people together away from screens for some vital face time and head space supporting as many creative industry professionals as I can! Here's a few quick iPhone snaps. Ace to see so many new faces and to catch up with the regulars, such lovely bunch of people.
#CreativeBoomIRL
#ManchesterCreatives
#CreativeNetworking
#CreativeCommunity
#CreativeIndustries
TOMORROW PEOPLE!!
Don’t be shy, say Hi! 👋☺️
I’ll be hosting a FREE networking event and social for creative industry professionals @creativeboom In Real Life (IRL) in #Manchester TOMORROW!!
WHEN: Wed 28th January 2026 6-9pm
WHERE: Common Bar, 39-41 Edge St, Manchester, M4 1HW
#ManchesterCreatives
#CreativeNetworking
#NorthWestCreatives
#CreativeBoom
A global car brand. Brief landed the night before. No time for stills to be scheduled into TVC production. Limited access. Client present. Talent shifting constantly. Reflections everywhere!!
Matched production lighting with flash in a few heartbeats. Pulled frames from a secondary car, props and fleeting talent moments, I mean minutes to shoot. Kept out of everyone’s way. Dodged reflections. Made it work.
No hand-holding from producers. Figured out stills entry points on the fly, adapted constantly to the changing schedule, and dealt directly with the agency where needed, making production easier.
Shooting stills on set alongside the TVC saved vital budget and kept the campaign visually consistent for the OOH campaign.
Fast. Precise. Production-savvy. Crew still breathing. All key OOH shots captured without impacting the TVC schedule.
DM me or click the link in comments to book!
📍Manchester + beyond
#OOHCampaign #UnitStills #CampaignStills #ProductionLife #AdvertisingPhotographer #TVCProduction #GlobalBrand #BehindTheScenes @teamlewis_uk@rattlingstick@theproductionfactory@cherycars_uk
