Category Archives: Photography

Photography, Safety and Coronavirus

June 24, 2020 by admin | Comments Off

Covid-19 Update:

The Coronavirus pandemic has meant that we’ve all had to adapt the way we live and work. Whilst it’s been hard not being able work on any wedding, gig or event photography over the past few months, I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to work on a range of solo projects (including this short film: 2,000 Rainbows).

However, after months of quarantine, the country is slowly coming out of lockdown, which means that I’m able to take bookings for shoots once again. I’m so excited to be able to get back to the work that I love, but I’m acutely aware that it has to be done safely and responsibly.

I’ve adapted my work methods to ensure that the safety and well-being of my clients is at the forefront of everything I do:

I’ll be working alone and during all shoots I will maintain strict social distancing, staying more that 2m away from other people. But don’t worry, the quality of my work wont be affected – using top-of-the-range zoom lenses, I’m able to capture beautiful, intimate photographs from a distance.
For the foreseeable future, I will be wearing a facemask for all shoots. Additional PPE will be worn whenever necessary.
Wherever possible, shoots will take place outdoors. Indoor shoots will be limited to places where it is possible to maintain social distancing and work safely.
During all shoots, contact with shared surfaces (door handles, etc.) will be kept to an absolute minimum. I will be carrying 70% alcohol disinfectant gel with me at all times and will be maintaining a strict handwashing protocol to minimise the risk of contamination.
All my equipment will be thoroughly cleaned between shoots.
Every shoot and every client is different. So, alongside the changes I’ve implemented above, I will happily tailor the way I work to meet your/your company’s specific needs and ways of working to keep you safe, and stress-free during your shoot.
All of the changes I’ve implemented are in line with the current government guidelines, but I’ll be regularly reviewing and updating my work practices as time goes on to make sure I’m always adhering to the latest advice.

Please get in touch if you’d like to chat about any of the above in more detail, or if you want to book a safe, socially-distanced photoshoot.

Thanks for reading. Stay kind and keep safe x

a painting of a rainbow with the word NHS written below, placed in a sunny window

Tagged booking, coronavirus, covid-19, guidelines, lockdown, Manchester, pandemic, ppe, safety, well-being |

My Favourite images of 2018

January 6, 2019 by admin | Comments Off

So long 2018! The passing of a year is always a good time to reflect on the past 12 months, and for me that means looking back through a LOT of photos. Taking a step back and looking at my work over the course of a whole year, I’m struck by varied it has been – I’ve documented community projects, music events, travel destinations; taken portraits of new-born babies, business leaders, artists and musicians; and I’ve photographed weddings, gigs, poetry readings, conferences and festivals. It’s been a blast!

To save you having to look through a year’s worth of (rather splendid) blog posts, I’ve collected together a selection of my favourite images from 2018 to create a super-duper-blow-your-mind-with-it’s-awesomeness gallery, which you can view below. There’s a mixture of portraits, documentary shots, gig pictures, landscapes and wedding photographs. I hope you enjoy them (please let me know your favourites in the comments section).

Heading into 2019 I’m incredibly excited to see what the next 12 months will bring. Thank you so much to all of the wonderful people and organisations that I’ve worked with in 2018, and to all of my fabulous family and friends for their continuing support. Happy new year everyone, lets make 2019 a belter!

Rachel x

Also posted in Arts Photography, Bands, Documentary photography, Events, Gig Photography, landscape photography, Music Photography, Places, Portraits, travel photography, Wedding Photography Tagged 2018, best photos, both sides now, Brighter Sound, collection, Concert, dazzley badger, Event Photography, favourite images, Manchester, Music Photography, retrospective, Scotland, Travel, Wedding, year in review |

Beautiful Crete

October 26, 2017 by admin | Comments Off

Visited the Island of Crete in Greece and found sunshine, beaches, mountains, goats and cats, lots of cats….

Also posted in Documentary photography, Places Tagged beach, chania, crete, greece, landscape photography, nature cats, sea, Travel, travel photography |

Pee Wee Ellis FUNK: Foundation, Brighter Sound’s Artistic Director Series #009

August 31, 2017 by admin | Comments Off

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the legendary saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis as part of Brighter Sound’s 9th Artistic Director Series, FUNK: Foundation. Pew Wee was a major part of James Brown’s band in the 1960s and co-wrote several of the Godfather of Soul’s greatest hits. Alongside the supremely talented trumpeter Gary Winters, Pee Wee worked with a group of 15 young musicians over the course of 4 days to create a roof-raising funk-tastic one-off performance at Band on the Wall.

I’ve collated a selection of my favourite images from the residency in the gallery below for you to enjoy. Stay funky people!

Also posted in Bands, Documentary photography, Events, Gig Photography, Music Photography Tagged Band on the Wall, Brighter Sound, Concert, Event Photography, Funk Assembly, Funk Foundation, Gary Winters, Gig, gig photography, Manchester, Music Photography, Pee Wee Ellis, saxophonist |

Eska: Are You Here – Cinemagraphs

June 15, 2017 by admin | Comments Off

Alongside my usual documentary-style photography of the ‘Eska: Are You Here‘ Artistic Director residency from Brighter Sound, I also took some footage to create the following cinemagraphs (featuring the hugely talented Tal Janes, Tomas Pocinho, Marcus Joseph and Joy Ellis).

Cinemagraph of a guitar player, guitarist, Tal Janes, at Brighter Sound Eska: Are You Here, Artistic Director Series, Band on The Wall, Manchester, Rachel Bywater Photography Cinemagraph of a saxophone player, saxophonist, Marcus Joseph, at Brighter Sound Eska: Are You Here, Artistic Director Series, Band on The Wall, Manchester, Rachel Bywater Photography cinemagraph key board player, Joy Ellis, Brighter Sound, band on The Wall, Manchester, Rachel Bywater Photography

Also posted in Bands, cinemagraph, Documentary photography, Events, Gig Photography, Music Photography, Portraits Tagged Band on the Wall, Brighter Sound, cinemagraph, cinemagraphs, Concert, drummer, drums, Eska, Event Photography, Gig, gig photography, guitar, guitarist, keyboard player, Manchester, Music Photography, saxophone, saxophonist |

My Favourite Images of 2016

January 5, 2017 by admin | Comments Off

I’ve put together a collection of my favourite images from 2016, and what a year it was! I got to photograph Grammy award winners, Premiership footballers and Mercury prize nominees; I shot events in museums, laboratories, tv studios, hidden gardens and amongst giant smoke machines; I travelled half way round the world and saw incredible cultural and natural wonders; and I got to meet and work with some truly inspirational people along the way.

I’ve chosen each of the images in the collection below for different reasons. Some because they captured a unique moment, some because they are successful in terms of technique or composition, and some because they transport me back to a special time and place in my life from the past 12 months.

I hope you enjoy looking through these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Thanks so much for all your support in 2016. Wishing you all a happy new year and a fabulous 2017!

Rachel x

Also posted in Bands, Documentary photography, Events, Gig Photography, Music Photography, Places, Portraits, Uncategorized, Wedding Photography

Favourite Images of 2015

January 6, 2016 by admin | Comments Off

I had a lot of fun in 2015 and took a LOT of pictures. I got to meet and work with a bunch of incredibly lovely people over the past 12 months and I was also lucky enough to photograph some truly beautiful locations and wildlife along the way. It’s been hard to whittle them down, but here’s a small selection of my favourite shots from last year for your viewing pleasure.

A huge thank you to all my clients, colleagues, friends and family for making 2015 such a great year. Here’s looking forward to an amazing 2016!

xxx

vintage event northwest photographer.jpg

Also posted in astrophotography, Bands, Documentary photography, Events, Gig Photography, Music Photography, Places, Portraits, Wedding Photography

Hannah & Jag’s Beautiful Home Wedding

September 4, 2015 by admin | Comments Off

Hannah and Jag Bains were married on 2nd August, 2015, at an absolutely gorgeous DIY wedding at their home in Bradford, West Yorkshire. They turned their garden in to the most beautiful ceremony and reception venue, full of handmade decorations and little touches of individuality, such as hand painted names stones for table settings. The day itself was built around family and children, especially Hannah and Jag’s two gorgeous boys, Zac & Finn. It was a real delight to shoot and has to be one of the loveliest weddings I’ve ever photographed!

You can see some of my favourite images from the day below. Friends and family of Hannah and Jag can see the full gallery and purchase prints here (but you’ll need to get the password from Hannah or Jag).

You can see more of my work in my wedding portfolio. If you’d like to make an enquiry about hiring me as your wedding photographer please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.

Also posted in Wedding Photography Tagged DIY wedding, Marriage, Wedding, wedding photography |

Shooting shooting stars

August 17, 2015 by admin | Comments Off

The Perseid meteor shower occurs each summer, usually around August time, and this year some friends and I decided to head down to the beach at Ainsdale, near Blackpool, to see if we could catch it. The 2015 shower peaked on 12th August but we headed out a few days later as it coincided with a moonless night – the best conditions for stargazing. We set ourselves up with a bbq and a fire to keep us warm and, although the Perseids weren’t as frequent, we had a spectacular view of the Milky Way. I tried my hand at a few panoramic shots of the impressive night sky and, though I didn’t realise it at the time, managed to catch the odd Perseid meteor too! The meteors are visible as white streaks in the photos below.

Also posted in astrophotography, Places

Gary & Deri’s Wedding at Connah’s Quay

November 24, 2014 by admin | Comments Off

The incredibly lovely Mr and Mrs White were married on 20th September, 2014 at St Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay, followed by a reception at the Holiday Inn Chester West Hotel. It was such a lovely day and I had so much fun being their wedding photographer!

Here are a selection of some of my favourite shots from the wedding. If you’re a friend or relative of the happy couple you can view the full gallery of images from their wedding day here and purchase prints (but you’ll need to ask Gary or Deri for the password).

You can see more of my work in my Wedding Portfolio. If you’d like to make an enquiry about hiring me as your wedding photographer please get in touch! I’d love to hear from you.