About Me
I’m Clive Stapleton, a Derby-based photographer with a passion for capturing people, places, events and the machines that form part of our history and everyday lives.
Alongside my sports photography, which is covered on my separate dedicated sports photography website, this site showcases the broader range of my work, including railways, aircraft, landscapes, events and weddings.
Although these subjects can be very different, my approach is much the same: to produce strong, natural images that capture the atmosphere, detail and character of the subject.
Railway & Aircraft Photography
Railway photography is one of my particular interests. I enjoy photographing everything from modern rail operations to heritage steam and diesel traction, both in the UK and during my travels in Europe. I also produce an Annual Railway Calendar utilising a selection of my recent photographs from the UK, Heritage and Europe.
My railway photography often combines the train with its surrounding landscape, rather than simply recording the locomotive itself. I also have a strong interest in aviation and enjoy photographing both historic and modern aircraft at airshows, museums and other aviation events.
Landscape Photography
Landscape photography gives me the opportunity to slow things down and concentrate on light, composition and location.
I particularly enjoy photographing the British countryside and landscapes encountered while travelling, looking for images that convey something of the atmosphere and character of the place rather than simply recording what was there.
Events
I photograph a variety of events, producing both documentary images and more informal photographs of the people involved.
My aim is to capture the story of an event as it happens — the important moments, the atmosphere and the smaller details that can easily be missed.
My background in engineering also means I am particularly comfortable working around engineering, transport and industrial environments.
Weddings
Wedding photography is not the main focus of my work, but I have been commissioned to photograph a number of weddings and have found that many of the skills I use in sports photography transfer naturally to wedding coverage.
Both rely on anticipation, timing and being ready for moments that happen only once. I enjoy photographing people in an engaging and natural way, capturing genuine expressions, reactions and emotions at key points throughout the day.
My approach is primarily documentary, following the occasion as it unfolds and recording not only the important formal moments, but also the smaller interactions, celebrations and details that help tell the complete story of the wedding.
I also work to an agreed shot list, ensuring that the key people, family groups and important moments requested by the couple are captured and delivered alongside the more spontaneous images from the day.
I also deploy some of the fast-turnaround workflows developed through my sports photography, allowing me to process and deliver photographs efficiently after the event. Where requested, I can also provide a limited selection of edited images on the same day, ideal for sharing with family, friends or on social media while the occasion is still fresh.
The aim is to create a complete and well-balanced set of photographs that provides a lasting record of the whole occasion — combining the essential requested photographs with the people, atmosphere and emotions that make each wedding unique.
Sports Photography
Sport forms another major part of my photography and has its own dedicated sports photography website.
My sports work is centered particularly around football, where I photograph both men's and women's football, producing action, celebration and storytelling images for clubs, players and other clients.
Keeping the sports photography on a separate site allows this website to concentrate on the wider range of subjects I enjoy photographing while still reflecting the breadth of my work as a photographer.
Behind the Camera
Before concentrating more fully on photography, I spent 42 years working in engineering with Rolls-Royce.
That engineering background has undoubtedly influenced the way I photograph. I have always been interested in how things work and in the people, craftsmanship and history behind them. It is probably one reason why railways, aircraft and industrial subjects feature so strongly in my photography.
Today, photography gives me the opportunity to combine those long-standing interests with creativity, travel and meeting people.
I am based in Derby in the East Midlands and undertake photography throughout Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and the wider Midlands, as well as travelling further afield for particular projects and events.
Clive Stapleton Photography
CliveStapleton.Photograghy@gmail.com - 07944 665086
Railways • Aircraft • Landscapes • Events • Weddings • Commercial
Based in Derby and covering the East Midlands and beyond.