Honest portraits & headshots for actors, creatives, and real people in Greater Manchester

Ante Up Photography is built around honesty, calm direction, and real human connection. The work sits between editorial and documentary — natural, unforced, and rooted in real-world experience on professional sets.

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  • Beauty photography headshot of a blonde haired woman with blue eyes with striking make up

    Portraits

    Capture the essence of individuality with my portrait photography services. Whether it's a professional headshot, a personal milestone, or an artistic project, I strive to bring out the unique personality and spirit of each subject.

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  • A musician in a music studio singing into the microphone

    Music

    Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of live music with my dedicated music photography services. Specialising in capturing the raw energy and vibrant atmosphere of concerts and performances, I focus on those fleeting moments of passion and connection between the artist and the audience.

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  • A ballerina sitting on a tall stool, wearing a pink ballet leotard, white tutu, tights, and pointe shoes, with a gray background.

    Dance

    Experience the beauty and grace of movement through my dance photography services. By freezing moments of fluidity and expression, I highlight the artistry and dedication of dancers. From classical ballet to contemporary styles, my photography captures the elegance, power, and emotion of each performance, creating dynamic images that celebrate the art of dance in all its forms.

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  • Aerial view of a parking lot with multiple cars, two buildings with gray roofs, and surrounding streets. The parking lot includes designated accessible parking spaces, and there are green bushes and trees around the buildings.

    Aerial

    Discover a new perspective with my aerial photography services, offering stunning views from above. Utilising drone technology, I capture breathtaking images that reveal the world from a unique vantage point. Whether it's expansive landscapes, architectural marvels, or event coverage, my aerial photography provides high-quality, visually striking images that showcase the beauty and intricacy of your subject matter from the sky.

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Photographer

Joe Cleary

I’m Joe Cleary, a Manchester-based photographer specialising in documentary-style portraits and headshots. I work with actors, creatives, and production teams who want imagery that feels natural, confident, and true to who they are — not over-posed or over-produced.

With experience working on professional sets and in studios, I bring a calm, collaborative approach that helps people relax in front of the camera and show up as themselves.

What I Photograph

Portraits & Headshots
Natural, expressive portraits for actors and creatives — ideal for casting, promotion, and personal branding.

Editorial / Performance
Photography for music, dance, and performance projects with a documentary edge.

Aerial Photography
Licensed drone photography for property, locations, and commercial projects.

Why Work With Me

  • Experience working on real productions and professional sets

  • Calm, no-pressure shooting style

  • Direction that feels natural, not forced

  • Images that age well and don’t chase trends

If you want photography that feels honest, grounded, and professional, get in touch.

Learn more
Portrait of Joe Cleary - Photographer
Black and white logo for 'Planet Up Photography' with stylized text.
A ballet dancer in a white tutu and pointe shoes performing a pose on a red vintage sofa against a wooden wall background.
Ballet dancer wearing a tutu and leotard, standing against a wooden wall.
Person with face and body painted in neon colors resembling a skull under blacklight, with spikes and dark eye makeup, against a dark background.
Person with fluorescent body paint under blacklight, featuring a skeleton design with vibrant pink, green, and black colors.
A man with gray hair wearing sunglasses and a black shirt playing an orange electric guitar on stage with a colorful sky background.
A man with short, light brown hair playing an acoustic guitar on stage.
Portrait of an African American man with a beard, wearing a white turtleneck, adorned with multiple rings, posing thoughtfully with his hand near his chin against a plain background.
Black and white photo of a woman and a man standing back to back, both looking at the camera with serious expressions.
A five-member rock band in dark clothing, with one member holding an acoustic guitar, posing against a black background.
A ballet dancer in a white tutu practicing at a barre in an old industrial dance studio with exposed brick walls and large windows.
Young woman with red hair sitting on metal industrial staircase in front of large window with bright sunlight, wearing a sleeveless top, fishnet stockings, and high heels.
A woman with red hair wearing a burgundy bodysuit, fishnet stockings, and high heels, stretching against a brick wall near a black ladder in a dimly lit industrial space.
A man dressed in a white sweatshirt and sweatpants, wearing sunglasses, sits surrounded by indoor potted plants. There is an abstract light pattern or projection on the wall behind him.
A man in a recording studio adjusting his headphones near a microphone.
A male singer passionately performs into a microphone during a live music event, with several people and a glass ceiling structure in the background.
Musician playing a bass guitar on stage with another musician (keyboard player) in the background, during a live performance with stage lighting and smoke effects.
A young woman in riding gear and a helmet standing next to a white horse with gray spots on a forested trail during autumn.
Person wearing a riding helmet and red jacket sitting on a gray horse, near a wooden fence on a fall day with trees and open field in the background.
Two women posing in an industrial-style space by a large window with a flower arrangement at their feet.
Two women sitting on the ground in an industrial setting surrounded by flowers. One woman in light blue clothing holds a vintage telephone receiver to her ear, while the other woman in brown pants listens with a floral headpiece.
Young man standing outdoors in front of a brick building, wearing a plaid coat over a hoodie, with a confident expression.
A young man with red hair and a beard posing in front of a textured dark background. He is wearing a beige, Gucci-branded puffer jacket with a hood and an orange shirt underneath. He has a ring on his finger and a small earring in his left ear, with
A young man with curly blond hair and a beard, wearing an orange shirt and a beige Gucci x The North Face jacket, standing indoors near a window with brick and painted walls, with natural light illuminating his face.
A young woman with long red hair poses inside yellow caution tape that reads 'THIS LOOK AT.' She is wearing a white T-shirt and pink pajama pants with colorful smiley faces, and white sneakers with red accents. The background is teal.
A young woman sitting cross-legged on a yellow background, wearing a yellow t-shirt with a graphic of a person painting and the words 'I'm an artist,' a yellow cap with a rainbow and happiness design, and black sneakers with white soles.
A young man in a white shirt, dark pants, and brown shoes walking confidently on a curved city street with tall buildings and large windows, wearing a black coat.
Young man wearing a black and beige patterned hoodie and a matching beanie, adjusting his beanie while looking into the camera indoors.
A woman wearing a red off-the-shoulder dress sitting on a vintage wooden piano, holding a floral fan, under a dimly lit ceiling with blue pillars in the background.
An electric guitar leaning against a speaker on a wooden floor in an industrial setting with large windows in the background.
Close-up of a teenage boy with red hair, blue eyes, and acne, wearing a gray hoodie.
Close-up of a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a black turtleneck, standing against a light-colored wall with shadows.
A man with a beard and dark hair, wearing a black turtleneck sweater and jeans, standing against a green and gray brick wall in a dimly lit setting, with light coming from above.
A woman dressed in a gothic red and black corset and long skirt, with black lace gloves, stands in an industrial, dimly lit setting with pipes and brick walls.
A man and woman smiling in a kitchen with city buildings outside the window. The man is wearing a green apron and the woman is wearing a beige apron. There is a partially eaten slice of cake on a plate on the wooden counter.
Woman in pink bikini and white shirt posing against a dark wall with her arms raised and hands clasped above her head.
A woman with blonde hair styled in two buns, wearing black sheer gloves, with decorative pearls on her face, posing against a red background.
Close-up of a woman with blonde wavy hair, pearl-like decorations on her cheek, wearing hoop earrings, and a red and black patterned top.
A man with a large beard wearing a wide-brimmed hat and denim jacket against a black background.
A young man with red hair, dressed in a dark shirt, leaning on a wooden chair with his arms crossed, looking contemplative, against a teal background.

Contact us.

anteupphotography@hotmail.com
(+44) 7519095781

Manchester, UK.