Documentary Portraits

I’m Adam, the photographer behind Documentary Portraits in Cheadle Hulme. As a father of two I know how fast childhood passes — my work is driven by a desire to freeze the small, honest moments that show who your family really is. With over 14 years of experience telling stories through documentary-style family photography, I specialise in capturing personalities rather than rehearsed smiles. My approach is relaxed and unobtrusive. Whether I’m spending a couple of hours at your home, photographing a chaotic park outing, or working in my little Cheadle Hulme studio for a short mini session, I focus on natural behaviour, little interactions and the fleeting gestures that become treasured memories. I aim to create a calm, playful atmosphere so children feel free to be themselves and parents can relax and enjoy the day. What makes my work different is that I combine a photojournalist’s instinct for the decisive moment with a gentle, patient style learned from being a parent. I’m not interested in stiff posing; instead I watch for genuine laughter, quiet looks and everyday rituals that reveal personality. Those candid moments sit beautifully alongside simple, timeless portraits when the moment calls for it. I’ve extended this documentary approach to a range of family moments — newborns, babies, children, first-year projects and family gatherings such as christenings. Each shoot is tailored to your family: I listen to what matters most, choose locations that reflect your life, and work with you to make the session feel easy and authentic. After the shoot I carefully edit images to preserve their natural warmth and honesty, delivering high-resolution files and keepsakes that make it simple to share and display your family story for years to come. Based in Cheadle Hulme and working across the Manchester area, I prefer midweek sessions for relaxed availability but can arrange other times where needed. If you want family photographs that feel real — images you’ll go back to again and again — get in touch. I’ll send a brochure and we can talk about the best way to document this moment in your family’s life.