Image of two actors performing street theatre. They are dressed in bowler hats with waistcoats. They are leaning against a strange looking machine which has smoke or steam coming out of it. The actors look worried.

Marge Bradshaw Photography

Greater Manchester

Biography

I’m a photographer based in Bolton. I work across the UK but mainly in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Merseyside.

About my commercial work

I cover:

- creative and cultural events (e.g. outdoor arts and heritage, music festivals, workshops)
- family photography
- small or micro weddings, civil partnerships and elopements
- business awards, conferences and parties
- private party photography for christenings, anniversaries and other occasions
- brand photography for businesses and independent freelancers.

About my creative practice

I’m a socially engaged photographer and artist interested in people, place, and heritage. I use a combination of documentary and environmental portrait photography and ethnographic research to share the stories and lived experience of participants; often giving a platform for voices who are not usually heard. I collaborate with communities to make ‘useful art’ which typically intends to encourage debate, spark conversation, or raise the profile of societal issues that are important to the people within the places I work.

My personal creative practice explores and documents stories of loss and fragility. I often draw on public and personal archives as inspiration for my work, which involves using environmentally conscious cameraless processes – including anthotypes and lumen prints which naturally fade over time until the work has disappeared entirely. I am currently exploring a range of alternative photographic processes and sustainability is core to my practice.

I’ve previously been commissioned by Open Eye Gallery Liverpool, Bolton Museum & Art Gallery, Warrington Contemporary Art Festival, Museums Northumberland, and Science Museum London.

Recent commissions and exhibitions include:

Photographer-in-residence at The Watch Factory, Prescot commissioned by Open Eye Gallery and Community Integrated Care.

A R&D micro-commission for Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool, documenting the impact of the loss of green spaces on members of my community in Westhoughton.

Bolton Library and Museum Service portrait and stories commission for their exhibition ‘Caring Bolton: the community’s response to Covid-19’.

Slap-Bang!, a group exhibition of 20 emerging northwest artists as part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

Making of Us, a socially engaged programme co-ordinated by The Turnpike (Leigh, Greater Manchester).

Bolton’s Lost Words, a socially engaged project at Westhoughton library, supported by Arts Council England and led by Bolton Library and Museum Service.

‘Hidden Heroes: Meet Northumberland’s Keyworkers solo exhibition for Museums Northumberland.

I was awarded a Developing Your Creative Practice grant in May 2021 by Arts Council England, to make a step change in my inclusive socially engaged practice.

I'm currently taking on new commissions across both commercial and creative portfolios, and including assitant opportunities where my skill set and values align.

Contact Details

marge-bradshaw@outlook.com