About Me

Hi. My name is Dean, and I am a professional portrait photographer based in Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire.

Biography

I’ve been making professional portraits for well over 33 years now but my interest in photography came early in life – at around 10 years of age.  I grew up in a family where one of my grandad’s hobbies, other than fly fishing, was photography and I remember he used the downstairs bath to develop his black and white negatives (remember them?).  I also remember the grief my granny gave him over the yellow stains he left in the enamel from the developing process!

I became really into portrait photography as a teenager, often photographing friends for amateur and practical photography magazine competitions and, after having some success, I enrolled at my local camera club, Preston Photographic Society.

I worked for a large textile firm back in the early eighties together with my friend Steve, the firm’s chief mechanic. We created the firm’s first photographic club. In 1984 I was headhunted to be a wedding and portrait photographer for a now-defunct professional studio in Church Street, Preston town centre. Here I was given my professional photography training and also excelled in the studio's own photographic lab as a darkroom technician. One year later I went professional on my own – setting up my Studio in Bamber Bridge. And I have been here ever since.

Today, together with my wife Sally we are the proud owners of Bamber Bridge’s first and only professional photographic studio and for the last 33 years, our ground-floor high street Studio has been the go-to studio for easy access for disabled people.

My profession is the best profession in the world, I get to FREEZE TIME!  I capture forever memories you’ll be proud to hang on your walls for years to come.

The quality of my work will literally last a lifetime, I guarantee it.

History

A professional photographer in Preston since 1984, Dean McDonald is one of the best and most sought-after photographers in Lancashire. He specialises in portrait photography, wedding photography, modeling portfolios, and commercial photography including Passport, visa, accident, and injury photography.

Dean’s creative talent sets him apart from other photographers in Preston. His reputation is for capturing his subjects in stunning images – using dynamic new approaches, yet always with a flair for natural postures and expressions.

“With his relaxed style and vast experience, Dean knows how to get the absolute best from his clients – even if you aren’t normally relaxed in front of a camera!”

Unlike many Preston photographers, Dean works out of a purpose-built studio, which he believes is vital for doing a great job. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology – including a choice of thousands of cutting-edge backgrounds to give your portrait that added professional magic – he delivers world-class service at affordable prices.

And it’s not only Dean’s clients who love his work. Over the years he has been awarded numerous prizes and accolades, as well as being published in various books and magazines, nationally and internationally. As a qualified photographer, Dean was rated in the top 10% of the prestigious Master Photographers Association (MPA), of which he was an Associate Member.

“Whatever the commission, you can be confident that your portrait, special event, or commercial assignment is in the best possible professional hands…”

Our ground-floor photographic studio in Preston is suitable for large family groups and is equipped with toilet facilities, a private changing room, and has easy access for disabled people.