County Durham Commercial, PR & Advertising Photographer: Crossfit Gym in Darlington

The owners of Darlington’s newest gym, http://www.crossfitdl21dl.com, saw my work online at www.davecharnleyphotography.com, loved it and got in touch about a PR photoshoot to get some pics for the Darlington gym’s official launch and open weekend on 15^th and 16^th June.

CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning programme that is taking the UK by storm. When I visited I found that this is no ordinary gym. It’s open to novices all the way up to professional sportspeople but the focus is firmly on fitness and health for everyone, whatever their shape and size.

The interior of the building, part of the former Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club on Neasham Road, reflects that theme with a look and feel that is almost industrial. Steel girders, textured walls and clean lines presented some great elements that I was able to incorporate into my pictures.  

For this Darlington commercial photoshoot I took some shots in colour and some in black and white to add a grainy, real feel to the images and meet the client’s brief.  A brand made up of grey and white with some added splashes of colour gave me a strong palette to work with and a clean background to the action shots.

Head Coach and former Royal Marine Lee Howe and the CrossFit team were very accommodating, helpfully working out on a range of equipment as I moved around them, seeking out images of the effort and determination that sums up the whole CrossFit ethos.

Reportage photography – my specialism – is all about capturing the moment exactly as it happens, so the second a cloud of chalk floated in the air after Lee had dipped his hands prior to using a machine I was there with the camera to pin it down. 

It was a really interesting commercial photoshoot in County Durham to add to my portfolio and as CrossFit DL2 was established by North East entrepreneur Joanne McCue Bannatyne (Nike top below), the launch and its imagery attracted all the local media, and made the nationals too.

The pictures will be used in the press, online across the website and social media feeds and in print and outdoor advertising, and will hopefully get across the physical and emotional benefits of training at CrossFit DL2. As Joanne herself puts it on the website: “Being fit is inspiring, feels good, enriches your life, and adds both years to your life and life to your years.”

And you can’t ask for more than that.

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography

Middlebrough Press Photographer: Documentary coverage of the Duchess of Cornwall

My latest royal photographyjob was a freelance commission to document the Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to Teesside, to lend her support to a literacy campaign aimed at improving low levels of literacy. 




























I’m always happy to get jobs via recommendations from happy clients, and when the National Literacy Trust told me the VIP’s name was under wraps, 25 years as a press and commercial photographer mainly North East based, told me it was either royalty or a very senior politician.

As usual, the job was embargoed but I received the brief eight weeks in advance.This was my first job involving a new service from Dave Charnley Photography – adding sound to still images. I’m working with a specialist digital editor to create audio slideshows - photos with a soundtrack if you like.

Adding in sound means I can bring the shots to life and add atmosphere. For instance anyone choosing the CD option within my digital Intimate, Signature or Exclusive wedding packages could have key moments in the bride’s father’s speech added in to their album, or even the first dance music. It’s an exciting concept and I can see this service being popular with my wedding photography clients. It takes me into another area and extends my service range but at the same time doesn’t take away from my core photography business.

The weather on the day that the Duchess arrived at the Central Library to take part in a creative writing workshop held by children’s author Vivian French. Moving onto Middlesbrough’s Centre Square was glorious and the 500 school children from across eight Middlesbrough schools were in loud form.

The Duchess was wearing a pale green dress and coat that really added some colour to the photos, and I found her to be very engaging. She took a real interest in the children and their families and was happy to take part in the celebrations, with a deft high-five with Rory the Lion, Middlesbrough Football Club’s mascot!

Working with my usual simple bag of kit that is all I need to take great photos, I joined the group of other press and freelance photographers plus camera crews in central Middlebrough and had to move quickly to get the best shots for my client, the National Literacy Trust, who were sharing the photos with local press and Middlesbrough Borough Council’s press office. 

I followed the Duchess as she moved on to a reception at MIMA to meet some young literacy champions and service users from Middlesbrough Community Leaning Service. 

It was a busy itinerary to photography but even with a packed schedule and surrounded by photographers all wanting the same high impact shots, everyone agreed that the Duchess was exceptionally nice, and I was glad I had captured many of the behind the scenes moments of her chatting to children that made up the day, as well as the more ‘official’ versions.

My client was pleased with the results too, telling me ‘Huge thanks, the pictures are great and I’m really pleased with them - thanks!’  I never tire of hearing that the client is happy and that I’ve hit the mark.

Watch this space or checkout my web news section for more details on my new ‘photo film ’ packages – coming very soon!

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography