Portraits of The Manatees: Brand & Portrait Photography
I snapped a few quick portraits with The Manatees while I was making a nuisance of myself at their show at The Lexington a couple of months ago. I wasn’t loitering with intent, I was waiting on their label manager/one of my best pals.
Lovely bunch of lads.
The band are signed with Fierce Panda and it was wild as someone who used to promote shows at a couple of similar capacity spaces to see how much industry support a band can get for a wee show in that there London. A handful of live agents, record company and execs all hanging out keeping an eye on the buzz, plus bloggers and vloggers and live streamers to tiktok and even typing that I feel old as hell and I’m chuckling away like a proud aunty but I really enjoyed watching the front row of grown women fall in love with them during their set. That’s the real litmus test of future success I reckon. Like how you can tell someone is good at football by how they spit when they’re running.
The chat about the lads is “from a sleepy town on the south coast of England, The Manatees (Jay, Tyler & Miller) combine hip-hop samples, funk inspired bass lines, thrashing guitars and candid lyrics to carve out their own soundscape within modern rock”. If that’s yer bag you should give them a listen.
I’m back in London in mid April if anyone else wants some portraits while I’m in town let me know as I’ll have my digital kit with me.
Portraiture is often misunderstood as “just headshots,” but strong brand portrait photography goes deeper. It reveals context, character, emotion…the things audiences actually respond to. And these fellas have a very responsive audience. For independent creatives in Edinburgh and beyond, having lots of this kind of imagery creates trust, connection and narrative beyond mere visuals.
Creative Portrait Sessions With Purpose
Edinburgh has a thriving arts and culture scene despite zero investment in grassroots arts, artists have always strived to create in collaborative ways and find spaces to make things work…from independent venues to music studios, galleries, creative hubs and intimate neighbourhood spaces. That environment suits the portrait sessions I shoot across Scotland: relaxed, unscripted and reflective of the people being photographed.
Documentary & Editorial Portraiture for Brands
My approach often combines digital and analogue film photography. Film brings warmth, texture and a timeless quality that suits personal portraits and brand narratives alike. When paired with documentary composition, it creates a visual identity that feels both intentional and emotionally resonant.
Whether you’re an independent creative, a small business or a cultural project, powerful portraiture helps define how you show up. It’s about connection, not perfection.
Bringing Your Visual Identity to Life
If you’re looking for thoughtful brand portraiture in Edinburgh or across Scotland, portraits that feel deeply personal, editorially informed and creatively grounded, I’d love to hear about your work and ideas.
