Jonny Noakes Videography - Photography Services Manchester

Tel- 07852252034
Email- contactjonnyn@gmail.com

Manchester Videography & Photography

Hey, I'm Jonny!

I'm based in Manchester but work all over the UK, capturing stories through photography and videography. With 14 years in the industry, I've been lucky enough to call this my full-time career — although if you ask Jess, my golden retriever, she'd say my real job is being her personal dog walker!

Manchester is my home base and one of my favourite cities to shoot in, whether it's vibrant street photography, stylish commercial shoots, or creative brand videos. The city's blend of industrial heritage and modern architecture creates the perfect backdrop for visual storytelling.

I've always been drawn to anything creative. Over the years, I've filmed music videos, shot brand campaigns, captured live events, and even created Christmas ads that ended up on Sky TV. Plus I've worked at Manchester United in a association with Marriott hotels. No two days have ever been the same — and I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of my most memorable projects was working on the behind-the-scenes team for Salvable, a short film starring Shia LaBeouf. I've also been lucky enough to direct and shoot work with the brilliant Maimuna Enya Memon and Nina Wadia. Every project brings new challenges and creative opportunities that keep me passionate about what I do.

Manchester Through My Lens

OK so I'm going to be honest here — Manchester isn't always the sunniest place (understatement of the century?), but there's something about those moody skies and the way light bounces off the mix of modern glass and old red brick that makes it magic for filming.

Last week I was shooting near Ancoats, and the weather went from pouring rain to gorgeous sunshine in about 15 minutes — typical Manchester! But you know what? Those rain-slicked streets looked absolutely stunning on camera. Sometimes the "bad" weather gives you the most interesting shots.

I remember my first big Manchester project back in 2012 — I was so nervous I actually put my shoes on the wrong feet that morning! Didn't notice until lunchtime... But the client loved the work and I've been coming back ever since. Still double-check my shoes though.

How I Work (The Not-So-Boring Bits)

I could write a really formal "my process" section here, but let's be real instead:

First off, we'll need to chat. Could be over coffee (I'm a flat white guy, for the record), or a pint, or Zoom if you're too busy for either. This isn't just me ticking boxes — I genuinely need to understand what makes you and your business tick, otherwise the video is just going to be generic rubbish.

Then comes film day. I'll turn up slightly too early (habit from my dad), probably wearing black (not trying to be artsy, it just hides coffee spills), with more equipment than you'd think one person could carry. I've been told I have a weirdly calming presence on shoot days — probably because I've seen enough go wrong over the years that very little phases me anymore!

The editing part is where I disappear into my home office and my family knows not to disturb me except for tea refills. I get a bit obsessive over getting things just right — sometimes spending way too long finding the perfect music track or tweaking a transition. My partner says I get "edit brain" where I forget to do basic human things like eat meals at normal times.

Manchester Stories Worth Telling

Every business in Manchester has something that makes it special. Finding that spark and translating it to film — that's the fun part for me.

I've filmed in some pretty incredible Manchester locations too. The day I worked with Marriott Hotels and Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford was something else entirely (I was definitely starstruck, not gonna lie). We were capturing content for their hospitality campaign, and Rio was an absolute natural on camera — cracking jokes between takes and sharing stories about his playing days while we set up shots around the stadium. Getting behind-the-scenes access to the Theatre of Dreams at dawn, with Manchester United legend as your talent? That's the kind of pinch-me moment that reminds you why you love this job (even if it meant another brutally early start for this decidedly non-morning person). (View Marriott Project Here)

Why Video Should Be More Than Just a Fancy Extra

Here's the thing about video in 2025 — it's not just a nice-to-have anymore. If you're running a business in Manchester and NOT using video, you're probably missing out. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true!

My clients use their videos for all sorts:

• Website homepage (keeps people on the site longer — one client saw their bounce rate drop by 40%!)

• Social media (obviously)

• Pitching to potential clients (so much better than another boring PowerPoint)

• Training new staff (more engaging than a manual nobody reads)

• Explaining complicated stuff simply (one tech client said their support calls dropped by a third after we made their how-to videos)

I'm not saying this because I want your business (though I do!), but because I've literally seen the difference it makes. It's a bit like when my mate finally got prescription glasses after years of squinting — "Why didn't I do this sooner?!"

Camera Geekery (Feel Free to Skip This Bit)

If you've zero interest in the technical stuff, just scroll on by! But if you're curious...

My main cameras are the Canon C300 Mark III and C70. They're absolute beasts for video work. Not the kind of thing you'd take on holiday, mind — more like the serious cinema cameras that give footage that lovely filmic quality.

Got a decent collection of lenses too, which my bank manager probably wishes I didn't keep adding to. My favorite is probably my 24mm prime — perfect for those environmental portraits that show people in their natural habitat.

I'm also slightly obsessed with good audio (nothing ruins a video faster than bad sound). I've got this Sennheiser shotgun mic that cost more than my first car, but it's worth every penny.

All this tech talk probably sounds like showing off, but it's really just me being a massive nerd about the tools of my trade. The most important bit isn't the gear anyway — it's having the eye to spot those moments worth capturing.

Video Tips That Actually Work (Learned the Hard Way Over 14 Years)

After filming everything from Chester Zoo campaigns to tiny Manchester startups, here's what really matters:

Know Your Camera Like Your Own Hands. After 14 years with various Canons, my fingers find the C300 Mark III controls without looking. Left thumb rides the iris wheel constantly — tiny adjustments while subjects move. Right hand grips the top handle, never the side (learned that after shaky footage in a Didsbury office). The ND filter wheel becomes second nature — I'm spinning it before my brain even registers the light changed. That Focus Assist button gets hammered during Manchester's dim interiors. The trick is keeping your left elbow tucked against your ribs for stability while your right shoulder takes the camera's weight. I've shot three-hour interviews this way without fatigue. The only thing that still catches me out? Those menu buttons are too close together — I've accidentally hit record instead of playback more times than I'd like to admit, especially wearing winter gloves during outdoor Manchester shoots.

Audio trumps everything. I've seen gorgeous footage ruined by terrible sound. Your Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic (yes, it cost more than my first car) saves more projects than any fancy camera. If you're DIY-ing it, invest in a decent external mic before anything else.

Getting Your Exposure and White Balance Spot On (Quick Version) After 14 years shooting Manchester's mental lighting — Northern Quarter brick glow to awful office strips — here's my C300 Mark III workflow.

White Balance: Dead Simple Hit WB button (10), pick Daylight 5600K for windows or Tungsten 3200K indoors. Moving about? AWB. Pro move: white paper in frame, hold WB button until "Set." Keep a receipt handy — works in mixed Manchester warehouse lighting.

Exposure: Follow the Zebras. Turn on zebras (display menu, 100%). No zebras on faces, bit on bright windows is fine. Finger on iris wheel (front), nudge until face zebras disappear. Manchester skies can blow out — faces can't. Auto-iris for moving interviews. One press, done. Switch back to manual after.

Manchester lighting is tricky but workable. Those big windows in our old buildings? Face toward them, never away. Overcast days are actually brilliant — natural softbox effect. I position people facing windows even in those gorgeous Northern Quarter spaces.

Keep it moving, but steady. I shoot handheld with my Canon C300 Mark III because the weight naturally smooths things out. If you're using lighter gear, lean against walls and move deliberately. My old Zeiss 18mm lens is forgiving for tracking shots around the city.

The best moments happen between takes. I keep rolling longer than expected. That Manchester accountancy firm's best content came from unscripted stories about helping businesses during lockdown — none of it was on our shot list.

B-roll saves everything. Those shots of typing, coffee making, Manchester street scenes — they turn talking heads into proper stories and cover up editing cuts.

Plan for our weather. I've learned to embrace the dramatic skies rather than fight them. Some of my favorite shots happen when clouds break over those industrial buildings. Always have indoor backup plans though!

Boneyard Ballet" Case Study

Boneyard Ballet" Case Study When cinematographer Steve Holleran (who shot "The Age of A.I." with Robert Downey Jr.) needed to capture the ethereal movement of ballet dancers, he turned to the C300 Mark III's brilliant feature: 4K at 120fps with zero quality loss. The results were mesmerising — fabric flowing like water, every strand of hair caught mid-flight. What sealed the deal was the camera's field-swappable mount system: four screws and he could switch between PL cinema glass and EF lenses on location. Perfect for those "we need a different lens right now" documentary moments.

Source: https://www.fdtimes.com/2020/04/29/steve-holleran-c300markiii/

What People Say (The Bit That Makes Me Blush a Bit)

I've somehow racked up 52 five-star Google reviews over the years, which still feels a bit surreal. Here's what some Manchester folks have said:

Mily Fletcher

Jonny produced a video for the Peat-free Partnership filming on-site at Chester Zoo. The final video was excellent quality and he was very responsive and professional throughout the process. The project had a specialist subject matter and some sensitivity was required throughout the interview, both of which he handled impressively. We can only recommend his work for any professional purposes.

Caroline Faulkner

We set Jonny quite the challenge to shoot so many products in a day but he was super calm, professional and delivered. His eye for detail and his creativity produced some lovely images. I look forward to working together again in the future.

Reviews are nice and all, but what really gets me is when a client sends a message months later saying the video is still working hard for them. That's the good stuff. Check out more Google Reviews here.

Let's Make Something in Manchester!

If you've read this far, we probably should work together! Whether you need a quick social media video or a bigger project, I'd love to chat about bringing your Manchester business to life on screen.

I'm in Manchester at least once a week anyway, so meeting up is easy. Give me a call on 07852252034 or email contactjonnyn@gmail.com. If I don't answer right away, I'm probably either filming, editing, or throwing a ball for Jess for the 500th time that day.

Questions People Actually Ask Me

"How much is this going to cost me, Jonny?" Depends on what we're making! I work with all sorts of budgets. Some projects are a few hundred quid, others are a few thousand. Let's chat about what you need and I'll be straight with you about costs.

"I hate being on camera. Can you make me not look awkward?" Welcome to the club! About 90% of people say this to me. Here's my secret: I'll keep you so busy talking about your business that you'll forget the camera's even there. Works every time.

"How long will it take to get our video?" Most projects are ready within 4-6 weeks. If you're in a rush, just let me know and I'll see what I can do. I've turned things around in a few days before when a client was in a bind (though I did need a LOT of coffee).

"What if we don't like something in the video?" Then we'll change it! I include two rounds of revisions as standard. My goal is for you to be properly chuffed with the final result.

"Do you do the Instagram Reels and TikTok stuff?" Absolutely! Short-form video is massive right now. I can help with everything from concept to filming to editing. And yes, I'll make sure it's the right format and everything.

Thanks for reading my ramblings! Hope to hear from you soon about creating some proper good video content for your Manchester business.

Author's Note

This article was written by me, Jonny Noakes. I've enjoyed working with Chester Zoo, Chester BID, and even created content that aired on Sky TV. I've had the privilege of filming at Man Utd with Rio Ferdinand, and I hold a diploma from the DMI Group. After 14 years in this industry, I'm still as passionate about visual storytelling as ever!