Photographing Ella Toone

Every portrait shoot tells a story, not just of the subject but also of the environment, light, and atmosphere. My recent session with Ella Toone, Manchester United and England midfielder, was one of those shoots where everything came together – subject, setting, and light – to create something striking and timeless.

A Bit of Background

Ella Toone has become one of the standout names in women’s football, playing a key role for Manchester United and the England national team. Known for her energy, creativity, and eye for goal, she was part of the squad that lifted the European Championship trophy with the Lionesses and continues to inspire a new generation of football fans.

The Setting

The portraits were shot with kind permission in the restaurant area of the Holiday Inn at Media City, Salford. It’s a modern, understated environment, and for this session I introduced a textured backdrop to bring depth and character to the final images. The contrast between a relaxed everyday location and a carefully lit portrait adds authenticity – showing Ella in a way that feels both powerful and approachable.

The Lighting

For this shoot, I worked with a two-light setup. A five-foot octabox was positioned camera right to provide a soft, flattering key light, sculpting detail while keeping the mood gentle. On camera left, I used a fill light to balance shadows and ensure even detail across the frame without losing the sense of depth. This combination gave the portraits a clean, modern look – suitable for both editorial and commercial use.

The Portrait

What emerged were portraits that highlight Ella Toone’s calm confidence. Whether in a formal head-and-shoulders composition or a more relaxed seated pose, the images reflect her personality: professional, composed, and quietly stylish. It’s a portrait style I often bring to my editorial and corporate commissions – natural, powerful, and engaging.

Commissioning Portrait Photography

This shoot with Ella Toone shows how even a simple location can be transformed into a space for impactful portraiture with the right lighting and approach.

I am an editorial and corporate portrait photographer based in Manchester, working regularly across Liverpool, Leeds, and London. My photography is commissioned by newspapers and magazines worldwide, as well as companies seeking professional business portraits in Manchester and corporate headshots in Salford and Media City that project confidence and professionalism.

If you’re looking for a Manchester portrait photographer or corporate photographer in Media City for your next commission – whether for editorial features, leadership portraits, or business headshots – I’d love to talk about how we can create portraits that stand out.