Muscular Dystrophy UK -
Documentary Photography Case Study

Muscular Dystrophy UK commissioned me to create a series of documentary photographs following a local family, Becky, Brad and Toby, during a day at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan. The photography formed part of a family case study for use across the charity’s website, social media, PR and wider communications.

Overhead photograph of a child eating a snack during the family picnic.

The Brief

The aim was to create a natural and informal set of photographs that reflected the family spending time together, rather than producing a conventional posed portrait session.

The existing visual direction called for a warm, slightly vintage treatment, with candid photography that felt personal and observational while still providing enough variety for different editorial and communications uses.

Formal outdoor portrait of the family photographed for Muscular Dystrophy UK in Wigan.

The Approach

I spent the shoot working around the family as they explored the park, played together and stopped for a picnic in the woodland. Keeping direction relatively light allowed genuine interactions to develop, while occasional more structured photographs provided the client with wider establishing images and recognisable family portraits.

Bright March sunshine presented one of the main challenges. In the open areas of the park the light was particularly hard, so I used the surrounding woodland and tree cover to create softer conditions for the more intimate photographs while retaining the warmth and contrast of the overall visual style.

The resulting set combines environmental photographs, family portraits, close details and quieter candid moments to build a broader picture of the day.

Family standing together and looking across the countryside at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan.

The outcome

The final photography gave Muscular Dystrophy UK a flexible library of imagery to support the family’s story across digital, social, PR and internal communications.

The project reflects the documentary approach I often bring to charity and NGO commissions: working sensitively with real people, adapting to the environment and creating photographs that feel natural while still fulfilling the practical needs of the organisation.

Learn more at www.musculardystrophyuk.org

Parents and child taking in the view across Haigh Woodland Park during a family case study for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Father lifting his child into the air as the family walk through the woodland.
Child hugging his mother during a quiet moment among the trees at Haigh Woodland Park.
Child playing with a toy vehicle while sitting on a picnic blanket in the woodland.
Candid close-up of a child reaching towards the camera during the Muscular Dystrophy UK shoot.
Muscular Dystrophy - Becky, Brad & Toby-138.jpg
Father and child spending time together during a picnic beneath the trees.
Wide documentary photograph of a father and child sharing a woodland picnic at Haigh Woodland Park.
Mother and child sharing a relaxed moment at a picnic bench in Haigh Woodland Park.
Young child using an accessible swing while his mother stands beside him at Haigh Woodland Park.
Child playing on a basket swing with his father during the family’s day at the park.
Relaxed outdoor portrait of the family photographed for Muscular Dystrophy UK in Wigan.

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