For the 8th edition of All In a Day’s work Millie celebrates the career of Sarah Deane who has worked in the Photography and creative scene in the North for the past 25 years.
March 2nd, 2026
I first came across Sarah Deane on LinkedIn after she got in touch with me about Ellie from Unique Magazine’s thoughts on how being based in the North can sometimes feel restricting at the start of your career. Sarah has worked self employed in Newcastle for the past 15 years highlighting how many opportunities actually exist here. If you know of anyone who might like to chat to me about their career or (beginning of their career) in the North give me an email here, I am enjoying giving a platform to Northerners.
Funnily enough, Sarah and I both did the Art & Design Foundation at Newcastle College, we often have more in common than we realise, and that many creative paths begin in similar places.
I am a big fan of Sarah’s NUFC X Adidas women's shoot, where she worked alongside Meg Jepson, fellow Newcastle Upon Tyne based photographer. As a NUFC fan and a woman this shoot feels very special to me as it is a true celebration of the North.The choice of locations, placing fans and players in familiar, everyday Geordie spots, gave the images a sense of belonging and pride. They’re the kinds of places many of us have our own memories tied to. I was interested in hearing about Sarah’s day to day work, especially who she works and collaborates with in the North as I continuously see photographers move to London once established here.
Name: Sarah Deane
Role: Photographer
Summary of your work: I am a self employed Photographer in Newcastle city centre who runs a studio servicing local corporate businesses and the general public. I specialise in business portraiture currently but over 25 years I have shot products, food and drink, events and editorial, interiors and industrial. My USP is to help folk relax when having portraits as 99.9% don't particularly like having their picture taken- but it's a necessity these days so I make it fun!
Starting the day
What do you enjoy seeing on your to-do list?
I live by hand written lists! I have ADHD so it's imperative I have my day mapped out sometimes hour by hour! I like a good mix of admin/marketing, shooting and editing. This is what makes the world go around!
Do you listen to music to start your day? If so, who/ what?
Sometimes on my commute I listen to radio 6, or my time faves are a bit of Gil Scott Heron, Erykah Badu or Guru. Also love podcasts and my faves are Adam Buxton or Louis Theroux for laughs or thought provoking chit chat. I'm currently listening to the Witch trials of JK Rowling and things apparently are not as they may seem!
The working day
Why are you based in the North & is it important to what you do?
Yes I love supporting businesses in the North East! I’m really proud of being a North East Photographer and that I can make a living locally rather than having to travel. When I initially set up in 2011, I worked all over the country, particularly London, but I wouldn't do that now, there is just no need. When expanding my services I was surprised at the number of blue chip, international companies that have headquarters in the North East, there are huge companies in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and engineering that have premises here. There's lots of space for large scale plants, lots of funded research and development at Newcastle University and lots of businesses based around the riversides. It's a really diverse mix of industries that keep the North East economy afloat whereas once it was mainly coal and shipbuilding.
Who do you work with in the North?
I work with small business owners who need portraiture, profile shots for their business website such as Psychotherapists, Surgeons, Creative, Actors, Models, Engineers and so on. I even capture portfolios for folk with dating profiles that need a refresh! I also work with corporate brands on campaigns, editorial and portraiture too; Newcastle Building Society, Newcastle United FC, Durham Police, NHS, Iksuda and Pulsant to name a few.
End of the day
Where do you find community and connection outside of work?
II have a fabulous community of local photographers who I see socially in Northumberland where I live now, and recently have joined a network in Newcastle focussed on linking female creatives called The Fold. Socially I have a large friendship group from back in the school days so we've been friends for over 40 years and are like sisters.
What does a satisfyingly complete day look like?
Ticking everything off my list and happy clients leaving my studio with grins on their faces saying ’I thought I'd hate having my picture taken but I really enjoyed that!’ oh and another 5 star review, I’ve 76 and counting -I’m enjoying collecting them, they are like badges of honour!
Day after day:
What symbolises the North for you?
The spirit of the North East communities, full of pride, resilience and rich history. I love the North for the non pretence, the realness and the relaxed friendliness of people up here. The Northern landscapes are incredible too, with the coast so close and vast, and the heritage and history of sites like Hadrian's Wall, Mining communities with stories to tell and the beautiful architecture of Newcastle with the engineers of the Victorian era creating Grey Street and the famous bridges that are utterly beautiful!
What are you watching on telly?
Ooh I love a beautifully shot series, I'm a bit of a fuss pot and love to study the lighting in a show, so most recently Pluribus filled me with visual joy! The carefully constructed colour schemes were like that of Severance, which is another fave, where they stick to a three colour template for each scene. I also loved Waiting For the Out, which was one of those shows where you shout ‘noooo don’t do it’ and sit on the edge of your seat. It was incredibly well acted. A really classy production with characters who stay with you for some time after.
A piece of everyday design that you adore?
I love the design of my Russel Hobbs 1980’s style kettle. It's stainless steel, simple and so pleasing to look at. Oh and my (apple) macs, yummy, yum.
It is a real joy to hear that Sarah is thriving in Newcastle and working with so many industries in her work, it must be so fun to overlap with so many different sectors in the North and to tell their stories through images.
What really stood out to me in this interview was Sarah’s admiration for the North and its non pretence, which I believe shines through in her work too. It feels fitting that her work centres on celebrating individuality and helping people feel comfortable, that genuine approach seems intrinsically Northern, honest, authentic and full of character. Thank you Sarah for your insight into your Days Work. You can find Sarah here.
And thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, LMK your thoughts and stay tuned for the next editions of All in a Day's Work by Millie Jobson
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