About

A man with a beard holding a camera in his right hand and a camera strap over his shoulder, standing in front of a dark brick wall, wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic design and black shorts.

I’m Joe Copley, a music photographer based in Middlesbrough, in the North East. My journey started when I inherited a Minolta X-700 from my aunt — the camera that first sparked my love for capturing moments.

I first stepped into live music photography shooting for my friend Joe and his band Offski. That experience led me to Sadie from The Word, who invited me to cover other events, and I’ve been photographing gigs and artists ever since. From there, I also became involved with Industrial Coast and began documenting their series A Monday Night in Middlesbrough — a project that deepened my connection to the local underground music scene.

I’d describe my style as ambient and atmospheric, always focused on capturing the energy and emotion of a performance. I’m inspired by photographers such as W. Eugene Smith, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Daidō Moriyama and the other members of Provoke, as well as Robert Frank, Bruce Gilden, and others who pushed photography into raw and powerful territory.

Being from Middlesbrough and the North East is a big part of who I am. I’m proud to represent the area and its vibrant music scene, and I want my work to reflect both its atmosphere and its spirit.

When you book me, you’re not just getting photos of a show — you’re getting images that carry the mood, intensity, and feeling of being there in the moment.