GoldenEye: From Oldham’s streets to the catwalks of Paris

He once stood in front of the camera. Now he’s the man behind it.

He once stood in front of the camera. Now he’s the man behind it. Not Really Here Media photographer Nigel Wood has modelled in London and Paris, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago and spent years capturing the people and moments that matter to our communities in Glossop, Tameside and Oldham.

And now for the first time, his photography, videography and drone services are available to hire.

If Nigel Wood looks comfortable in front of a camera, there’s a good reason. Long before he became the man behind the lens at Not Really Here Media, he was building a career as a model.

His journey began at around 24, after friends and family encouraged him to give modelling a go. He was tall, enjoyed fashion and had a natural confidence in front of the camera. He took a business course at Abraham Moss College and joined Manchester Model Agency, based in Albert Square.

At first, the work came gradually, test shoots with established Manchester photographers, portfolio building, and auditions. Then the bookings started to arrive.

There were sportswear shoots, catalogues, editorial work, and fashion shows. The work took Nigel around the country and, eventually, to the catwalks of London and Paris.

“Fashion was a big thing for me,” he recalled in conversation with Chris Bird for Not Really Here Media’s What I’ve Learned podcast series. “I liked looking smart, I liked fashion and I liked cameras.”

It was a world that could be fast-moving and demanding, but it gave him something he would carry into the next chapter of his life: an understanding of what makes a photograph work.

Having stood in front of the lens, Nigel knew how a photographer could help someone relax, feel confident and show their best side. Years later, when he began taking photographs himself, that experience would prove invaluable.

A moment with Oprah

Among the extraordinary twists in Nigel’s story is a trip to Chicago and an appearance connected with The Oprah Winfrey Show.

At the time, the programme had put out a call for international men to meet American women. Nigel was put forward, went through interviews and was invited to Chicago.

“It was an unbelievable experience,” he said. “There were men from all over the world, and Oprah made everybody feel at ease. It was like one big family.”

The experience stayed with him. So did the letters that arrived afterwards, posted from people around the world. Nigel still has them in a box.

It’s the kind of story that can still stop people in their tracks. Years later, someone will recognise him and ask: “Weren’t you on Oprah?”

For the lad from Oldham, it remains one of those moments that feels almost too remarkable to be true.

From the runway to the newsroom

Nigel’s working life has taken several turns. After modelling, he spent six years in the security industry. Then, in 2015, a new opportunity began to take shape.

He had been listening to Tameside Radio and was intrigued by the work the team was doing. He got in touch, went in for an interview, and soon found himself covering an outside broadcast.

The photographs began to tell their own story. Nigel sent back hundreds of images from events, determined to capture more than the obvious moment.

“I like to capture as much of an event as I can,” he explained. “There are so many different parts to it.”

That instinct helped establish him as a photographer for the newspaper. He wasn’t simply looking for a quick shot. He was watching what was happening around him, noticing the background, the expressions and the small moments that could otherwise be missed.

“You can’t force a photograph,” he said. “You have to look at the scene and think about what you’re working with. It’s about finding different moments and different angles.”

It’s a way of working that has taken him from news assignments to major sporting occasions, community celebrations and stories that matter deeply to local people.

The moments that stay with him

Some assignments are big, noisy and full of movement. Others are quieter, but no less important.

Nigel has documented an 18-month housing redevelopment project for Contour Homes, following it through photography, video and time-lapse until the first residents moved into their new homes.

He has been part of the Tour of Tameside for years, photographing runners and the friendships that grow around the event. He captured the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, where St Helens beat Salford Red Devils 23–6, and has been proud to work as official videographer for Oldham Rugby League and the Rugby Football League.

He has also photographed Oldham Athletic’s homecoming after the club’s promotion back to the Football League, and even found time to play football with Mark Owen from Take That.

But Nigel’s favourite work is not always about a final score or a famous face. He speaks warmly about photographing NHS staff and local healthcare stories, including capturing people being vaccinated at Glossop Cricket Club during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those moments matter to him because they tell a story about people looking after one another.

He has also become a grandfather, and is gathering photographs and memories for his family. For all the events and public occasions he has covered, some of the most valuable images are the ones he can share with the people closest to him.

A different view from above

During lockdown, Nigel decided to add another skill to his camera bag. He studied, learned to fly and gained his drone licence, then arranged insurance and began taking on aerial work.

A drone gave him a fresh way to tell a story. Instead of only showing what was happening at ground level, he could reveal the scale and shape of a place or event from above.

At the Longdendale Trail half marathon, for example, an aerial view can show the runners gathering and the landscape they are about to cross. It gives the audience a sense of the event that a ground-level photograph alone cannot provide.

“Everyone can take a picture,” Nigel said. “But experience helps you look at the image and think about what you want it to say.”

That thought applies whether he is using a camera, filming a business or capturing an event from the air.

Passing it on

Nigel is keen to help young people who want to explore photography, fashion or creative work. Through school work experience with the newspaper, he has shown students the practical side of a photography assignment, from finding a picture to understanding safety and planning.

He knows the industry can be difficult to break into. His advice is to stay curious, keep learning and ask people with experience for help.

“I’ve always been happy to support people who want to get involved,” he said. “It’s a tough industry, but if you’ve got the interest and the passion, you should give it a go.”

That generosity is part of what makes Nigel such a valued member of the Not Really Here Media team. He brings years of experience, a sharp eye and a genuine enthusiasm for the people whose stories he is there to capture.

And now, for the first time, that experience is available to local businesses, organisations and individuals.

Nigel’s camera is for hire

From business photography and promotional video to events, special occasions and aerial imagery, Nigel Wood and Not Really here Media are offering his photography, videography and drone services for hire.

The man with the golden looks has become the man with the GoldenEye: a photographer who has seen both sides of the camera and knows that a great image is about much more than pressing a button.

To find out more or discuss a project, click here https://tinyurl.com/2kbf5jda.