Mike McMahon | Award-Winning Manchester Photographer

I’m Mike McMahon, an award-winning Manchester photographer and the photographer behind Sky High Photography UK.

I specialise in Manchester cityscape, urban, night and aerial photography, as well as practical photography workshops designed to help people get more from their cameras.

My photography is driven by a passion for finding different perspectives and capturing Manchester’s architecture, streets, canals and skyline in changing light — from golden hour and blue hour through to the city after dark.

Alongside my own photography, I provide private 1-to-1 photography tuition, small group workshops and drone photography training in Manchester, helping photographers of all experience levels develop their camera skills, composition and creative approach.

I believe photography is best learned by getting out with your camera and putting the techniques into practice. That’s why my workshops are practical, relaxed and tailored around your experience, interests and goals.

My Photography Journey

My passion for photography has grown through years of exploring different genres and continually looking for new ways to capture the world around me.

Manchester has become a particular focus of my work. The city’s combination of historic architecture, modern skyscrapers, canals, bridges and iconic trams provides endless opportunities to create different images depending on the time of day and the conditions.

I’m particularly drawn to dramatic light, reflections, long exposures and atmospheric conditions, whether I’m photographing the city from street level or looking at it from above with a drone.

My photography has also taken me further afield, photographing landscapes, landmarks and locations across the UK. These experiences continue to influence the way I approach composition, light and storytelling in my Manchester photography.

Photography Awards, Exhibitions & Media Features

My photography has been recognised through exhibitions, awards, competitions and features in photography publications. I’ve also been fortunate to share my knowledge through photography tutorials, helping other photographers develop their skills.

Sky High Photography – Full Window Display at OT Creative Space

I’m proud to have had Sky High Photography UK featured in a full window display at OT Creative Space in Old Trafford, showcasing a selection of my photography to the local community.

The display formed part of The Window at OT Creative Space and was featured as “Sky High Photography – Photography by Mike McMahon”, highlighting my work as a Manchester-based photographer specialising in drone and landscape photography.

Having my photography displayed across a dedicated window display in Old Trafford was a particularly proud moment for me and for Sky High Photography UK.

Aerial Photography Company of the Year 2026

In 2026, Sky High Photography UK was recognised as Aerial Photography Company of the Year at the Prestige Awards.

This is a fantastic achievement for the business and recognition of the quality, creativity and professionalism behind my aerial photography work.

I’m incredibly proud of this award and what it represents for Sky High Photography UK as I continue to develop my aerial photography and drone training services.

British Photography Awards – 2026 Drone Shortlist

In 2026, my drone photograph of Glenfinnan Viaduct was shortlisted in the British Photography Awards Drone category.

Being shortlisted is something I’m extremely proud of and reflects the passion I put into creating distinctive aerial photographs.

The experience of planning, composing and capturing my own aerial images feeds directly into my drone photography training, where I help clients understand how to approach aerial photography creatively rather than simply learning how to operate a drone.

Featured in Photography Magazines

My photography and expertise have also been featured in leading photography publications, including Digital Camera magazine and Amateur Photographer magazine.

I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute educational content to Digital Camera magazine, writing photography tutorials designed to help photographers improve their skills and approach different types of photography.

These have included a drone photography tutorial, sharing practical advice on creating better images from the air, as well as an urban canals and cityscape photography tutorial, drawing on my experience photographing Manchester’s architecture, canals and urban landscapes.

Being trusted by established photography publications to share my knowledge is something I’m particularly proud of, and it’s an approach I bring directly into my photography workshops and 1-to-1 tuition.

My Photography

My photography covers a range of subjects, but I’m particularly passionate about Manchester cityscape, urban, night and aerial photography.

I’m drawn to the way changing light can transform a familiar scene, from golden hour and blue hour through to the atmosphere of Manchester after dark.

I enjoy long-exposure photography, light trails, reflections, architecture and finding different perspectives that show familiar locations in a new way.

Aerial photography has become an important part of my work, allowing me to explore composition, patterns, perspective and the relationship between the city and its surroundings from above.

Although Manchester is a major focus of my work, I also travel throughout the UK to photograph landscapes, architecture and iconic locations.

Photography Workshops & Tuition

Alongside my own photography, I enjoy helping other photographers become more confident with their cameras and develop their own creative style.

I offer private 1-to-1 photography workshops, small group photography workshops and specialist night photography workshops in Manchester, with sessions designed around your experience, interests and goals.

My workshops are practical and hands-on. Rather than simply explaining photography theory, I take you out into Manchester and help you put the techniques into practice, working with real locations, changing light and different photographic situations.

I also provide drone photography training, helping photographers and drone pilots improve their aerial composition, camera settings, golden-hour photography, night photography and creative drone techniques.

Whether you’re a complete beginner wanting to get off Auto mode or an experienced photographer looking to take your images further, my aim is to make photography enjoyable, practical and rewarding.

Why Learn With Mike?

I believe the best way to learn photography is to get out with your camera and start taking photographs.

My workshops are based on practical experience, with tuition delivered in real locations rather than simply sitting in a classroom learning theory.

As an award-winning photographer, an A2CofC holder and a fully insured drone photographer, I bring both photography and aerial experience into my training.

My work has been recognised through photography awards, exhibitions and national photography publications, and I’ve written photography tutorials for Digital Camera magazine.

Most importantly, every session is relaxed, friendly and tailored to the person I’m working with. Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time or looking to improve an established photography style, I’ll help you understand not just what to do, but why it works.

• Award-winning Manchester photographer
• Aerial Photography Company of the Year 2026 — Prestige Awards
• British Photography Awards 2026 — Drone category shortlist
• Featured in Digital Camera magazine
• Featured in Amateur Photographer magazine
• Photography tutorial writer for Digital Camera magazine
• A2CofC holder
• Fully insured drone photographer

Photographing Manchester

Manchester is at the heart of my photography. I love exploring the city and finding new ways to photograph its architecture, skyline, canals, bridges and streets.

From the historic buildings around Castlefield and the canals to the modern architecture of Manchester city centre, there is always something different to photograph.

I’m particularly interested in how Manchester changes throughout the day — from early morning light and golden hour through blue hour and into the city at night.

My knowledge of Manchester’s photography locations also forms a big part of my workshops. I want to help people discover the best viewpoints while understanding how to create their own photographs rather than simply copying a particular shot.

Aerial Photography & Drone Work

Aerial photography has become an important part of my work, giving me a completely different perspective on Manchester and the wider landscapes I photograph across the UK.

I enjoy using drones to explore composition, leading lines, patterns, scale and perspective from above, particularly around cityscapes, architecture and dramatic landscapes.

My own aerial photography has been recognised through awards and competitions, including being shortlisted in the 2026 British Photography Awards Drone category for my photograph of Glenfinnan Viaduct.

As an A2CofC holder and fully insured drone photographer, I also use my experience to help others develop their own aerial photography skills through my Manchester drone photography training.

Photography, Workshops & What’s Next

My photography continues to evolve as I explore new locations, experiment with different techniques and look for fresh ways to capture familiar places.

Manchester will remain at the heart of my work, but I’m also keen to continue travelling throughout the UK to photograph landscapes, architecture and aerial perspectives.

Alongside my own photography, I’m passionate about growing Sky High Photography UK and helping more people discover the enjoyment of photography through practical, hands-on tuition.

Whether you’re looking to improve your camera skills, explore Manchester with your camera or develop your aerial photography, I’d love to help you take your photography further.

Explore My Manchester Photography Workshops