Business Details
7 Years
experience
Your Story, Beautifully Captured
Established by Sharmaine, a former accountant turned visual storyteller, Shoots Photographs combines technical precision with emotional depth to create lasting narratives. With a Masters in Visual Journalism and Storytelling, we specialise in capturing life's pivotal momentsfrom intimate family portraits to impactful advocacy work for organisations like the Sophie Hayes Foundation. Our approach prioritises authentic human connection, ensuring clients feel at ease while we document their stories with artistry. Based in Oldham, we serve clients across Manchester and the UK, offering tailored photography training and donating our skills to community causes. Our portfolio spans commercial projects, documentary films, and personal milestones, reflecting a commitment to storytelling that resonates. Backed by formal education including a 1st Class BA in Photography and extensive experience in visual journalism, we deliver work that balances creativity with technical excellence. From corporate narratives to protest documentation, our practice is driven by a belief in photography's power to effect change. This foundation of experience, formal training, and ethical practice ensures every project we undertake meets the highest standards of professionalism and authenticity.
Services
Family Photography
Commercial Photography
Photography Training
Documentary Filmmaking
Community Projects
Served areas
- Oldham, Greater Manchester
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We blend documentary storytelling with technical precision for authentic results
- Proven experience with galleries, nonprofits, and corporate clients
- Personalised approach ensuring subjects feel comfortable and confident
- Award-winning visual journalism background with formal academic credentials
- Commitment to ethical storytelling and community empowerment
Associations and certifications
- 1st Class BA (Hons) Photography and Digital Image
- AOP
- NUJ
Payment methods
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Services
Family Photography
Documenting life's milestones through authentic family portraits and event photography. We specialise in creating timeless images that capture genuine connections in home environments or chosen locations. Our approach prioritises natural interactions over posed shots, ensuring each session reflects the unique dynamics of your family. With over five years of experience photographing personal events, we provide a relaxed, empowering experience that helps subjects feel comfortable while preserving their most cherished moments.
Commercial Photography
Creating compelling visual content for businesses and marketing campaigns. We produce high-quality imagery that communicates brand identity through authentic storytelling rather than staged corporate shots. Our work includes product photography, workplace documentation, and promotional material creation for clients ranging from local startups to national organisations. With technical expertise in lighting and composition, we deliver visuals that align with brand messaging while maintaining editorial integrity and emotional resonance.
Photography Training
Personalised photography education for individuals seeking to improve their visual storytelling abilities. Our training covers technical camera skills, composition techniques, and ethical storytelling practices. Sessions combine practical shooting exercises with critical analysis of visual narratives, drawing on our academic background in visual journalism. We focus on helping students develop their unique perspective while mastering technical fundamentals, offering both one-on-one mentoring and structured workshop formats tailored to different experience levels.
Documentary Filmmaking
Producing short-form narrative documentaries and advocacy films that highlight social issues and community stories. Our approach combines cinematic techniques with journalistic integrity to create impactful visual narratives. We specialise in capturing real-life events with minimal intrusion, allowing subjects' authentic voices to emerge through carefully crafted editing. From concept development to final delivery, we work closely with clients to ensure their message is communicated effectively while maintaining ethical standards in documentary practice.
Community Projects
Providing pro bono photography services for community initiatives and social causes. We collaborate with local organisations and activists to create visual content that supports their missions through exhibitions, awareness campaigns, and archival documentation. Our focus areas include education access, social justice, and community empowerment projects. This work draws on our experience with nonprofits like the Sophie Hayes Foundation, combining professional standards with a commitment to using visual storytelling as a tool for positive social impact.
People
Sharmaine
Photographer & Visual Storyteller
Former accountant turned award-winning visual journalist with a Masters in Storytelling. Specialises in documentary photography and ethical storytelling for community causes. Has collaborated with Oldham Gallery and Sophie Hayes Foundation.
Questions
What photography services do you offer?
We provide family portraits, commercial photography, documentary filmmaking, photography training, and community-focused projects.
Do you work with nonprofits and community organisations?
Yes, we regularly collaborate with charities and social causes through our Skills Donation programme.
How would you describe your photography style?
Our approach combines documentary authenticity with artistic composition, prioritising genuine moments over posed shots.
Do you offer photography training sessions?
Yes, we provide tailored one-on-one photography mentoring covering technical skills and storytelling techniques.
What areas do you cover?
Based in Oldham, we work throughout Manchester and across the UK for special projects.
How do you ensure clients feel comfortable during shoots?
We focus on building rapport and creating relaxed environments that help subjects express their authentic selves.
Reviews (4)
Katie F.
May 12, 2025
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Sharmaine and her assistant attended our primary school careers fair. The students loved her, and the pictures taken were great. I would recommend her to anyone
Lucy Eleanor Matthews
Mar 17, 2022
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We challenged Shoots with a once in a lifetime task! Photograph our family christening, in a tiny, not particularly well-lit church, in February, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic! All restrictions in place! Vicar and guests unable to hold the baby. Go for it! And go for it she did! What can we say? Sharmaine was not phased at all, rose to the challenge and went above and beyond to get us the perfect images of our special day. Friendly, adaptable, and a true professional, Sharmaine shot some wonderfully beautiful photographs that day and we couldn't have been more happy with the service she provided.
After the big event, Sharmaine took the time to send us the photographs electronically so that we could select our favourites and then she liaised with us and edited the ones we liked the most. She was patient and extremely dedicated to making sure her images were the best they could possibly be, and in ensuring we were happy with the final results. Sharmaine captured our memories of a special day, and time period that will never be repeated and we have no hesitation in recommending you choose Shoots photographs for your important event or project. You'll be so glad you did!
After the big event, Sharmaine took the time to send us the photographs electronically so that we could select our favourites and then she liaised with us and edited the ones we liked the most. She was patient and extremely dedicated to making sure her images were the best they could possibly be, and in ensuring we were happy with the final results. Sharmaine captured our memories of a special day, and time period that will never be repeated and we have no hesitation in recommending you choose Shoots photographs for your important event or project. You'll be so glad you did!
Tray Wilson
Mar 13, 2022
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Sharmaine is absolutely brilliant at making everyone feel at ease so that we all get the best experience and shots, love the images she has created. Such a great photographer to work with!
Melissa Wands
Mar 03, 2022
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Absolutely brilliant! Not only at taking the wonderful photographs but helping the students open up and be more comfortable around the camera.