Photographer & Writer UK

I’m an events and documentary photographer, with a background in editorial and portraits. Based in Lancashire, UK. I work across the UK at short notice. Weddings considered, if you’re really nice. Some examples of my photography and projects are listed below.
If you’re looking for a documentary photographer with photo storytelling techniques, or are looking to hire a photographer in Lancashire or across the North of England – I’m your snapper!
(Click on the image to go to the project page)

Editorial Photography

I’m an editorial photographer. Based in Lancashire, North West, UK. Working across the UK. This image was taen at Liverpool FC’s Premier League Winner’s Victory Parade in 2025.

Lockdown in Yorkshire Dales National Park

In 2020 and 2021 I documented the effect of lockdown at some of North Yorkshire’s busiest tourist destinations. Visiting several sites in Yorkshire Dales National Park, plus Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, I photographed the emptiness of places like Malham during the initial lockdown.

I was able to photograph the few people who dared to leave their homes at a time when essential travel was not permitted in the UK.

As the first lockdown lifted in the summer of 2020, I documented the gradual arrival of people to sites like Malham, Linton Falls near Grassington and Burnsall – where tourist numbers reached record levels.

People and the Landscape

This long-running project documents people in the outdoors, focused mostly on the North of England.

Performers

I have photographed 100s of performances, shows, festivals and gigs across the UK. As a producer I have also created several festivals including Lancashire Fringe Festival and Lancashire Photography Festival. More details about these festivals can be found at the website Enjoy The Show UK.

Portraits

I take portraits of people. Sometimes these are done in a studio. Sometimes they are done at exhibition openings. Sometimes on location.

Palestiniana

Palestiniana is a book. It’s part diary, part analysis of the horrific conflict between Israel and Palestine. The book is available from Amazon and for Kindle (from Amazon). It topped the charts in it’s categories on Amazon.

Blackpool

This is from my long-running project Brilliant Blackpool. It was exhibited at FYCreatives in Blackpool (2011). Several of these images were shortlisted for the Travel Photographer of the Year Award (Homeland) in 2009.

Smoking

Mostly photographed in the summer of 2007, this study of smoking took place before and after the ban on smoking in public places came into force (which was July 1, 2007, in England).

Travel

italy dolomites garry cook

I have published several books of travel images, most notably Palestiniana (available on Amazon and for Kindle, which is very cheap). I’ve also written travel articles for Express Newspapers and Northern & Shell publications.

Performance

Gary Cooke_2/8/15

In 2015, I began delivering photography projects as live art theatre-based performances. The idea was that very few people see photography projects, particularly in exhibitions and specifically documentary photography. For over a decade I have experimented with presenting photography in new ways to reach bigger and more diverse audiences (audio slideshows, documentary Christmas cards, books, zines and podcasts).