Corporate Photography Needn’t Mean Dull
With a dash of creativity, corporate photography doesn’t have to be dull or stereotypical. Based near Middlesbrough, on the border of County Durham and North Yorkshire, professional photographer Dave Charnley brings fresh thinking and strong visual storytelling to every assignment.
Dave begins each project by considering where the photographs will be used. An image for an annual report or press interview portrait may need a completely different tone from those designed for websites, brochures, or digital marketing campaigns.
He also gives careful thought to image orientation. A portrait shot isn’t suitable for a website banner, but when captured well, a landscape image can often be cropped to fit a variety of formats. Some of Dave’s images translate beautifully into bold black-and-white, ideal for editorial, PR or creative marketing use.
Whether he’s photographing an exhibition at the Harrogate International Conference Centre in Yorkshire, an arts event at Sage Gateshead, or a corporate networking session in York or Leeds, Dave uses his years of experience to create images that stand out. His goal is always to capture people and events in a natural yet engaging way that reflects each client’s brand.
From a designer’s perspective, Dave’s photography is practical as well as creative. He often leaves space around subjects for text or graphic overlays, making the images easy to integrate into page layouts, websites or social media posts. One examples could be a person reflected in a tabletop — shows his eye for detail and his ability to create flexible, multi-purpose visuals with style.
While Dave always carries professional lighting equipment, he’s also skilled at using available light to shape atmosphere and tone. At MIMA in Middlesbrough, for instance, he captured a spotlighted artwork framed by natural vignetting, producing a distinctive and artistic image that reflected both the space and the artist’s vision.
To Dave, creative corporate and PR photography isn’t about the bright, cropped shots often seen in newspapers. It’s about telling the bigger story — like this image taken from behind a presenter at a Middlesbrough business event, giving a cinematic, audience-wide view. It’s a style that clients love for websites, presentations, and marketing materials.
Always alert to visual opportunities, Dave looks beyond the obvious moments to capture atmosphere and authenticity. His portfolio includes work with high-profile figures such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes at Crathorne Hall, for a petrochemical client based in Aberdeen — a testament to his versatility and trusted reputation across the North of England.
Clients and designers frequently comment on the longevity of Dave’s images — flexible, creative photographs that work across multiple platforms and campaigns. It’s one reason so many businesses across Middlesbrough, County Durham, North Yorkshire, and Newcastle return to him for fresh, professional photography.
A skilled corporate photographer must understand every client’s needs, tone, and brand personality. Dave’s goal is simple: to deliver creative photography that adds real value to every brief and helps businesses stand out — whether for PR, editorial, corporate events, or marketing campaigns across the North East and beyond.