Photographing Liverpool FC’s Men’s Kit Launch Campaign

Producing launch imagery for Liverpool F.C. is always a high-pressure environment where preparation, timing and trust are critical. Having worked with the club across multiple campaigns over several years, the objective for this shoot was to create a premium set of campaign images for the new men’s kit launch that could work seamlessly across stadium branding, digital marketing, retail, social media and wider global campaign rollout.

With limited time available to photograph the entire first-team squad alongside academy players, the production schedule needed to be tightly planned well in advance. In the weeks leading up to the shoot, I worked closely with the club’s design and marketing teams to finalise the visual direction, lighting references, shot list and overall feel of the campaign. When working at this scale, preparation is everything. Every setup, transition and player movement has to be considered before the shoot day begins.

The creative direction centred around producing imagery that felt powerful, sculpted and elevated while still retaining clean detail and colour accuracy throughout the kit itself. To achieve this, the lighting setup was built around Broncolor Para modifiers, chosen for their ability to create crisp, focused light with beautiful fall-off and depth. The Para system produces a quality of light that enhances texture and detail within the fabric while still maintaining shape and dimension across the players, helping the images feel premium and controlled rather than overly flat or commercial.

Alongside the Broncolor setup, the production also utilised Profoto Pro-11 packs with ProHeads — an incredibly reliable system for fast-paced commercial shoots where consistency, rapid recycling and speed are essential. With players moving quickly through set and very limited shooting windows available, the ability to work fluidly without interruption was a huge part of maintaining momentum and keeping the production running efficiently throughout the day.

The shoot itself involved a large collaborative team including stylists, hair and makeup artists, lighting assistants and digital technicians, all working together to keep the production moving at pace. Every frame was captured tethered directly into Capture One, managed live by my digital assistant, allowing instant review, colour consistency and immediate client feedback throughout the shoot.

Following delivery, the final imagery was rolled out across multiple campaign platforms including social media, marketing assets, retail promotion and large-scale installation across the façade of Anfield itself.

Projects at this level are built on consistency, trust and the ability to deliver under pressure, and it’s something I’ve continued to develop through an ongoing creative relationship with the club over a number of seasons.

See more from the campaign Explore more of my work

In the Camp: Capturing Anthony Joshua at Sheffield Performance Centre.

Photographing Anthony Joshua during a live training session was one of those shoots where you just have to work with what’s happening in front of you.

We didn’t have loads of time, so it was very much a case of moving quickly and trying not to interrupt the session too much. AJ was in camp at the Sheffield training centre, so the priority was keeping things natural and capturing the environment as it was rather than overcomplicating it.

I wanted to get a mix of action and more candid moments throughout the session. Obviously the boxing side gives you loads of energy visually, but some of the better frames usually happen in between drills when everything relaxes for a second. Those moments always feel a bit more honest.

The gym itself had a really raw feel to it which suited the shoot perfectly. Nothing felt staged, which is always better for this kind of work.

AJ was training in Under Armour kit as one of their ambassadors, which worked naturally within the environment and suited the feel of the shoot.

The images ended up being widely published afterwards, which is always nice to see, but one of the best parts of the shoot was right at the end when AJ came over to thank me personally before leaving. He was genuinely sound the whole time, which always makes a difference on shoots like this.

These are always the shoots I enjoy most because you don’t really get second chances. You’re reacting to what’s happening in real time and trying to tell the story of the session as naturally as possible.

Sports photographer Manchester/Paul Cooper

On Location lighting

Jack Laugher diving champion

For anyone who doesn’t follow diving closely, Jack’s not just another athlete—he’s one of the most successful British divers out there. Olympic gold medallist, multiple world and European titles, and someone who’s been at the top of the sport for years. So there’s a level of expectation going into a shoot like this—you want the images to match that standard.

We were up on the diving board for part of it, which adds its own level of “don’t mess this up.” Not loads of space, nowhere really safe to put gear, and you’re constantly aware you’re one bad step away from being in the pool with a set of strobes.

Kept the lighting tight. Two 6x1 strip boxes, one either side, just to shape things and pull out the lines in his body. Then a silver beauty dish with a grid as the key—harder light, a bit more punch, and contained enough that it’s not bouncing all over the place.

Pools are tricky. The humidity gets into everything—lenses fog, surfaces get slippery, and you can’t afford to hang around too long between sets. It forces you to work quicker and stay switched on.

End result is exactly what I wanted—strong shape, controlled highlights, and a clean frame without distractions. Nothing overcomplicated, just good light, used properly, in a space that doesn’t make it easy.

Sports Photographer Manchester – P Cooper Photography

Sports Photographer Liverpool

Shooting Katarina Johnson-Thompson

This was a good one to shoot. Photographing Katarina Johnson-Thompson around her old athletic club in Liverpool—but keeping the actual shoot studio-based and controlled.

The lighting probably looks quite simple in the final images, but it definitely wasn’t. Shooting low-key like that takes a bit of work—everything is deliberate. Where the light hits, how quickly it falls off, what you leave in shadow. It’s a lot of small tweaks to get it sitting right.

Gridded lights and the placement is paramount as direction of the fall off is vital to create the drama and mood. So the beauty dishes and zoom reflectors all had 20 degree grids to control the spill and keep the light tight.

We spent a bit of time working through different athletic poses as well—nothing over-styled, just movements and positions that felt natural to her. Sprint starts, set positions, standing strong, stripped back but still showing that power and control. The aim was to keep it believable but still sharp enough to work from a branding point of view. You want those lines to read properly, posture to be right, and everything to feel like it’s coming from a real place, not something forced.

At the same time, there’s the branding side of it. As a Nike athlete, those details matter—the kit, the way it sits, how the light picks it up without it taking over the image. It’s a balance between showing the product and keeping the focus on her. The low-key setup helped with that, keeping things clean and letting the logos and details come through naturally rather than shouting for attention.

It was a successful shoot and to witness her complete a training session was fascinating , I was training for a half marathon at the time and she even let me join her on the hill reps section, which was unexpected but great fun!

Sports Photographer Manchester – P Cooper Photography

Football Photographer Liverpool

Shooting Jeremie Frimpong at AXA Training Centre in Just Five Minutes

hen people think about football photography in Liverpool, they often imagine long shoot days, multiple setups, and endless creative freedom. The reality? Sometimes you get five minutes—literally.

That was exactly the challenge when photographing Jeremie Frimpong at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.

With a tight schedule and limited access, the brief was simple: create a dynamic, high-impact set of images that felt premium, editorial, and versatile. The catch? We had just five minutes with him.

Efficiency is everything in elite-level football photography. In those five minutes, we managed to capture three completely different looks:

• Studio Setup – A clean, controlled lighting environment designed to highlight Frimpong’s personality and presence. This gave us sharp, commercial-ready portraits perfect for press and branding.

• Location Setup One – Using the architecture of the AXA Training Centre, we created a modern, editorial feel. Natural lines and depth helped frame the subject quickly without overcomplicating the shot.

• Location Setup Two – A more dynamic, football-driven environment, adding movement and energy to the shoot to reflect Frimpong’s playing style.

Switching between setups this quickly required precise planning—lighting pre-rigged, camera settings dialled in, and a clear vision before the player even stepped in.

Working at this level, especially as a football photographer in Liverpool, means adapting instantly. There’s no time for experimentation on set—everything happens beforehand. From scouting locations to pre-lighting and shot lists, preparation is what makes speed possible.

Jeremie Frimpong brought incredible energy and professionalism, which made it possible to execute quickly without sacrificing quality.

Shoots like this highlight what separates high-level football photography from standard portrait work. It’s not just about taking photos—it’s about delivering under pressure, working within tight timeframes, and still producing standout imagery.

Whether it’s Premier League talent or rising stars, being able to adapt, move fast, and think creatively is essential.

If you’re looking for a football photographer in Liverpool who can deliver high-quality imagery—even under extreme time constraints—this is exactly the kind of workflow and mindset that makes it happen.

Sports Photographer Manchester – P Cooper Photography

Football Photographer Liverpool

Liverpool FC Kit Shoot: Pushing Beyond the Standard

Shooting the first team at Liverpool FC, the idea wasn’t to create the kind of safe, expected images you usually see around kit launches. This wasn’t about clean, commercial portraits. It was about pushing it into something more editorial—something with a bit more edge to it.

Most kit shoots follow a formula—perfect lighting, neutral poses, polished expressions. Everything sits comfortably. For this, I wanted the opposite. Stronger contrast, more attitude, and portraits that feel a bit less predictable. Something that feels closer to editorial than campaign-safe.

The setup was built to allow that. It had to be consistent enough to run multiple players through, but with enough flexibility to shift the feel slightly depending on who stepped in

With players at this level, you don’t need to manufacture presence. It’s already there. The job is to lean into it. Slight changes in posture or expression were enough to push things into a different space—something a bit more raw, a bit more intense.

What made the difference was moving away from the idea that every image needs to be clean and “usable” in a traditional sense. Some frames were tighter, some looser, some with more shadow, some with less. It’s about creating a set that feels like it has range, not just repetition.

The kit is still central, but it’s not treated in a purely commercial way. It becomes part of the image rather than the whole point of it. The focus shifts more onto the player—their expression, their attitude, how they carry themselves in front of the camera.

In the end, it’s about creating something that stands apart from the usual kit shoot look. Images that feel more like they belong in an editorial feature.

Sports Photographer Manchester – P Cooper Photography

Sports portraits on location :

Sports Photographer Manchester: Shooting Tommy Fleetwood at Altrincham Market

Shooting in a working environment like Altrincham Market is really about solving one problem—how to get a studio-quality portrait in a space that isn’t built for it. That was the thinking behind this shoot with Tommy Fleetwood. The aim was to create something strong and focused that reflected his connection to the UK, his passion for the Ryder Cup, and his competitive nature.

We weren’t there to use the market visually. The focus was on removing distractions, controlling the light completely, and building something that felt like a studio inside the space. Once the frame was locked in—tight, clean, no background noise—the location stopped mattering. The red backdrop took over and became the environment, giving it that bold, graphic feel while tying into the energy of the Ryder Cup.

The setup was two Profoto lights, with a gridded silver beauty dish as the key and a gridded softbox supporting it. The beauty dish gave it that sharper, more defined look, while the grid kept everything controlled and balanced the background and avoided spill on Tommy.

In the end, it proves you don’t need a studio to get a studio result. It’s about how you build the frame and how much control you have over what’s in it. If you’re looking for a sports photographer in Manchester for editorial or athlete portrait work, this kind of approach means you can create something clean, controlled, and high-end in pretty much any environment.

Sports Photographer Manchester – P Cooper Photography

Women’s Football Photographer

Liverpool Women’s Team Photography

This one sat somewhere between sport and fashion.

Commissioned directly by Liverpool FC, the shoot was built to deliver a full set of images that could be used across posters, campaigns and online.

Shot with Liverpool FC Women, the direction was simple — keep it clean, strip it back, and let the players carry it. Strong red, no distractions, everything focused on shape, expression and detail in the kit.

We ran a full crew on this — assistants, wardrobe, make-up, digital — all moving properly to keep things tight and consistent across the set.

Lighting was more involved than it looks. A large Broncolor Para 177 was the key, giving that crisp, specular finish, with four additional lights working around it to control the background, shape and consistency across the set. It needed to feel sharp, but still refined — sitting closer to fashion than traditional sports.

We shot the full squad, so it was a long day, but the energy stayed high throughout. The players were great to work with — relaxed, up for it, and good fun on set, which makes a big difference when you’re keeping the pace up across multiple setups.

The images were used widely across posters, campaigns and online — exactly what the shoot was built for.

Working on projects like this Liverpool Women’s kit campaign is a key part of my work as a football photographer Manchester.”

Erling Haaland for Midea — Manchester City Studio

Some shoots are tight on time, and this was one of those.

We had about 20 minutes with Erling Haaland at the Manchester City studio, shooting for Midea. The campaign was going out across everything — web, digital, the lot — so it needed to be clean and consistent from the start. No room to figure things out as we went.

We had a full crew on this — make-up, digital operator, assistant — and a client team on site, so the workflow had to be tight. Lighting was set using Broncolor Paras to get a hard, specular look that would hold detail and give the images some edge.

Working with Erling Haaland is always straightforward — he’s professional, easy to work with, and keeps things moving. We worked to the storyboard, but also pushed beyond it, adding a few extra frames that ended up being used across the campaign.

.Done in 20 minutes, but built properly before that. We created a strong set of dynamic images that the client was really pleased with, and which ran across multiple channels.

Campaign Use

From digital and web to print and large-scale brand environments, the images were built to translate across everything the campaign needed.

“This type of production is a big part of my work as a Manchester sports photographer, especially on high-profile football campaigns.”

Ross Edgley: Redefining What the Human Body Can Endure

Some shoots test more than just your lighting.

This was one of them.

I spent the day photographing Ross Edgley — a man whose idea of “challenging conditions” is very different to most.

Wind. Rain. Cold.

The kind of weather that usually slows things down and forces compromises.

Not here.

If anything, it felt like we were finally working in an environment that made sense for him.

Ross isn’t just another athlete with a good story — he’s a genuine outlier.

• First person to swim around Great Britain — 1,780 miles over 157 days

• Swam around Iceland in near-arctic conditions

• Known for endurance feats that sit somewhere between sport and survival

But what stands out isn’t the list — it’s how comfortable he is in it.

Most people tense up when conditions turn.
Ross leans into it.

The Shoot

We kept it relatively simple. Deliberate and manageable in the conditions.

Two gridded beauty dishes on Profoto heads — hard, directional light.

• Tight control on spill to keep the focus locked on Ross

• Light positioned to sculpt, not flatten

• Hard edges to bring out texture — water on skin, movement in the elements

No soft light. It wouldn’t have made sense.

This needed structure. Contrast. Edge.

And Ross just delivered.

As a sports photographer in Manchester, capturing athletes like Ross Edgeley is all about timing, endurance and storytelling.”

RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHER MANCHESTER/UK

Sale Sharks Rugby Kit Shoot at Lark Hill

Sale Sharks Kit Shoot at Lark Hill: Heritage Meets Rugby Performance

Some shoots are about more than just the kit.

This one was about grounding it in something real.

We shot the new Sale Sharks strip with the men’s and women’s squads at Lark Hill Place inside Salford Museum — a full northern street built indoors. Cobbles, shopfronts, texture everywhere. It gave the whole thing a weight you don’t get from a clean studio.

The idea was simple: keep the focus on the players, but let the environment do just enough. Rugby performance set against something that feels rooted, familiar — unmistakably North West.

Lighting needed to hold that balance.

We ran Aputure 600d Pro heads — one pushed into the background with a dome to lift the scene, the other controlled through a gridded octa to shape the players and keep the attention tight. A tube light just took the edge off the shadows so the detail in the kit held up cleanly.

Nothing overcomplicated. Just controlled light in a space that already had character.

The result sits somewhere between campaign and editorial — strong portraits, real atmosphere, and a kit that feels like it belongs to the place it represents.

Need help with your rugby kit launch or campaign, see more here

Commercial Sports Photographer Manchester | My Approach to Sports Campaigns

Most of what I shoot is built for campaigns.

Not just capturing sport — creating images that brands can actually use.

Every brief is different, but the goal is always the same — make it land.

Working with clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City, and brands including Nike, Pepsi and Hublot, the standard is high. The images need to do a job — not just look good.

It’s about building images that brands can actually use — campaigns, launches, content that needs to hold attention.

That means understanding:

• the brand

• the athlete

• the environment

• and how all three come together in a single frame

With athletes, the job isn’t to over-direct.

It’s about creating the right conditions and letting something real come through.

Whether it’s Usain Bolt, Mo Salah or Anthony Joshua — keep it simple, remove distractions, and focus on what actually matters.

Lighting is a big part of how I work.

Everything is deliberate — how the subject is shaped, where the attention sits, what gets left out.

No unnecessary complexity. Just images that hold attention and translate properly into a campaign.

From initial concept through to final delivery, each project is built properly.

We handle:

• creative development

• shoot production

• stills and motion

All with a consistent visual language so the work feels cohesive across platforms.

If you’re working on a campaign and need imagery that’s built to perform, get in touch.

Need help with sports photography in Liverpool CLICK HERE

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER MANCHESTER

Professional Sports Photographer in Manchester, Liverpool & London

Are you looking for a sports photographer in Manchester, Liverpool, or London with expertise in commercial advertising, studio shoots, and dynamic location lighting? I am a professional commercial sports photographer specializing in high-impact visual storytelling for major global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, and Manchester City.

With years of experience capturing elite athletes, world-renowned football clubs, and sports apparel campaigns, I bring technical mastery, creative vision, and location versatility to every project—whether it's a high-energy pitch-side shoot or a stylized studio portrait session.

Why Choose a Professional Sports Photographer?

In today’s competitive advertising landscape, professional sports photography is about more than just capturing motion. It’s about creating compelling, brand-aligned imagery that resonates across platforms—billboards, digital campaigns, social media, and editorial. My approach blends creativity with precision, producing visuals that elevate brands and inspire fans.

Covering Manchester, Liverpool, and London

Sports Photographer Manchester

Based near the heart of the city, I regularly work with brands and clubs in Manchester, including Manchester Unitedand Manchester City. Whether it’s a media day shoot at Carrington or a location campaign in urban Manchester, I offer flexible setups and professional production values. As a sports photographer in Manchester, I understand the fast-paced demands of the football industry and the need for visual excellence under tight deadlines.

Sports Photographer Liverpool

In Liverpool, I’ve captured some of the city's most iconic athletes for both commercial and editorial use. Working with Liverpool FC, Nike, and various agencies, I bring portable lighting setups and elite-level gear to produce striking imagery, whether in stadium tunnels, training grounds, or street locations. As a seasoned sports photographer in Liverpool, I offer full-service production support from planning to post-production.

Sports Photographer London

London remains a creative hub for global sports and fashion brands. I work across London’s top studios and on-location venues to support large-scale campaigns, editorial stories, and brand content. My experience as a sports advertising photographer in London includes collaborations with marketing agencies, sportswear companies, and elite athletes, all requiring top-tier imagery that stands out in the capital’s saturated visual market.

Studio and Location Lighting Expertise

Every shoot demands a different approach. That’s why I specialize in both studio photography and location lighting.

• In the studio, I create polished, consistent results using controlled lighting setups with softboxes, color gels, and creative modifiers. Perfect for athlete portraits, product launches, or campaign assets.

• On location—be it at Old Trafford, Anfield, or a gritty London rooftop—I use portable strobe systems and fast lighting setups to work efficiently and creatively, regardless of weather or timing.

I blend natural light with artificial lighting to ensure every image delivers the emotional impact and brand clarity you need.

Trusted by Top Brands and Clubs

My clients include:

• Nike

• Adidas

• Liverpool FC

• Manchester United

• Manchester City

• Sports agencies, lifestyle magazines, and production houses

Whether capturing the launch of a new football boot or producing dynamic visuals for global marketing campaigns, I consistently deliver creative, on-brand, and high-resolution imagery on time and within brief.

Working with Elite Athletes

Photographing athletes like Mohamed Salah, Marcus Rashford, or Erling Haaland means understanding pressure, personality, and pace. I’ve worked with top-tier professionals under tight schedules, providing efficient workflows, quick direction, and the ability to get impactful results fast—often within a 10–15 minute shooting window.

Full-Service Photography Production

I offer a complete service from concept to delivery, including:

• Creative direction & mood boards

• Pre-lighting & location scouting

• Studio or mobile lighting setups

• On-set direction and styling coordination

• Post-production, retouching & asset delivery

• Fast turnaround for urgent campaigns

Sports Photographer for Advertising Campaigns

I specialize in high-level advertising and commercial campaigns for brands in sport, fashion, and lifestyle. My work has appeared in:

• Billboard & stadium ads

• Social media campaigns

• Magazine editorials

• Brand lookbooks

• E-commerce & digital banners

Book a Sports Photographer in Manchester, Liverpool, or London

If you’re searching for a reliable, creative, and experienced sports advertising photographer in Manchester, Liverpool, or London, I’d love to collaborate on your next project. I’m available for:

• Club photography

• Brand campaigns

• Athlete media days

• Product and kit launches

• Editorial portraits

Let’s create impactful visuals that move fans, sell products, and build brands.

Need a sports photographer in Manchester CLICK HERE