About Documentary Photographer Nic Shuttleworth
I live in Yorkshire, UK with my family of 5 but I’m originally from Bolton across the Pennines (where it always rains). According to an online survey carried out by the ‘British Association for the Advancement of Science’, Boltonians are the friendliest people in Britain.
I have an extensive background in design and art direction, my career started off working on advertising campaigns for Channel 4 Television and I spent many years specialising in brand development and storytelling.
I love to meet people of all ages. When I was little, my mum was a mobile hairdresser and I travelled around the village in the holidays with her and a bag full of rollers and sprays. I kept the clients entertained with stories apparently, I’m told that I never stopped talking, or drawing and painting things for anyone who would take them!
My favourite film is ‘Sideways’, about 2 unlikely friends on an unconventional stag do / wine tour of the Santa Ynez Valley, so sad and very funny at the same time.
If I’m not making pictures I’m usually on the school run, crafting things out of cardboard or running, I love to get outdoors – It’s where most of my hair-brained ideas come from.
My Documentary Photography Approach
It’s this sense of photography, as ‘storytelling’ that lies at the heart of my approach. I’m fascinated by the creative potential of a photograph to capture something truly unique and special about a particular moment.
Whether it’s a moment of togetherness, connection, joy, laughter, or, perhaps reflection, I’m looking to make photographs that glimpse and preserve images of real lives, loved ones, families, and friendships that are filled with narrative and meaning.
I believe to make photographs like this takes a combination of curiosity, and creative intuition. A kind of readiness, that puts me and my camera in the right place at the right time, to see and catch the moment unfolding. That, and sometimes just a little luck as well.
Most of these qualities were first primed all those years ago on my mum’s mobile hairdressing round, they’ve been nurtured ever since by my lifelong interest in real people, real lives, and storytelling.
Documentary Photography Awards and Recognition
Awards
Portrait of Britain Winner 2025
The British Journal of Photography
Top 10 Family Photographer Worldwide 2024
Click & Company
Member of Click Pro Elite
Voice competition
2024 4 x honourable mentions
2023 Second place category winner + honourable mention
2022 Honourable mention
Click Pro Photographers
Reportage Family award collection 18 winner
Family story award collection 22
Top 10 family photographer UK
This is reportage family
7 x family photography awards
3 x honourable mentions
Inspiration Family Photographers
Family Photography award collection 16
Fearless Family Photographers
5 x WPJA spotlight
Wedding Photojournalist association
Finalist 2022, 2023, 2024
Made for documentary awards
10 Awards for Documentary Family Photography
12 FPJA spotlight
Top 25 family photographer worldwide
Family photojournalist association
Selected by PhotoVogue
Publications
Portrait of Britain publication Volume 7
The British Journal of Photography
Everyday Delight. 100 moments of joy, finding magic in the mundane.
Published by Shutterhub
Night Moods. 100 images of the night, light in the darkness
Published by Shutterhub
Limbs, Photocereal 2023
Exhibitions
Portrait of Britain 2025, JCDecaux
Open 25, Cambridge
Open 24, Cambridge
Yearbook 2024, 2023, Shutterhub
Night Moods, Shutterhub 2023
“Nic’s love and respect for people of all walks of life is one of her best qualities.”
Martin Shuttleworth (Nic’s Dad).
Explore how documentary photography can capture family milestones in a meaningful and authentic way and how party prep is just as interesting as the celebration itself.