How a photographer from Rudheath High School went on to capture some of the most famous names in music

From international artists such as KISS, Grace Jones and Lizzo to renowned UK acts like Iron Maiden, The Charlatans and James Bay – Charlotte Wellings has photographed some of the industry’s biggest names.

Now the photographer, who went to the former Rudheath High School, is in the frame herself as her work becomes the focus of the British Music Experience’s first solo exhibition at Liverpool’s Albert Docks.

Hot Chip

And it all started right here in Northwich where Charlotte’s life behind the lens was inspired by going to gigs at one of the town’s best-known band venues.

“I used to go to a lot of live gigs at the Winnington Rec with my friends when I was at school who were all in bands,” she said. “It was the only place to go at that age really if you wanted to see live music.

“I just wanted to do something different. I always wanted to stand out from the crowd and so I got into music photography.”

Charlotte, now 34, developed her creative skills at Cheshire School of Art (formerly London Road Art School) and went on to complete a photography degree at the University of Central Lancashire.

KISS frontman Gene Simmons

For the past decade she’s pursued her passion for music and photography through her business Realm of Pixels. Now based Manchester, she covers concerts and festivals, as well as shooting for a variety of music venues and bands in and around the city, and has spent the past five years working with fellow salt town artists The Charlatans, something she describes as an incredible experience.

“Basically I got the gig by sending Tim Burgess a Tweet and he invited me down to the Albert Hall in Manchester,” she explains. “I was shooting the band and then running back stage to post the pictures on Twitter so that fans who weren’t at the gig could see them as they were playing live.

“Working for the band I got direct access to so much. Usually, if you’re a live music photographer you only get three songs at the start of the set to a band so that you can then get out of everyone’s way, but this was completely different.”

She also played a part in the band’s North by Northwich event in May 2017.

Gary Numan

“The photographs on display were mine in their exhibition space and I complied and photographed all the memorabilia that was in the North by Northwich photobook.”

Having been freelance for 10 years, the only time she’s had what she describes as a ‘proper job’ was her tenure in 2017 as head of photography and marketing for British Drum Company – founded by Pub Landlord comedian Al Murray, in partnership with a group of fellow drummers including Kasabian’s Ian Matthews and the Verve’s Pete Salisbury.

Speaking of her creative talents, Al Murray said: “At a time when everyone has a camera, Charlotte is one of those lucky people who can make anything come to life.”

He’s not the only famous name to commend her talents.

Charlotte Church

KISS frontman Gene Simmons said: “Charlotte has a rare eye. What can I say. She makes me look good,” while Gary Numan added: “Taking photographs of bands is easy, taking great photographs is not easy at all, but being able to take amazing photographs that truly capture the energy and excitement of a performance requires a rare talent. Charlotte has it.”

Having documented some of the UK’s finest festival’s, including Jodrell Bank’s Bluedot event, one performer in particular stands out, and there’s one particular band she’s desperate to shoot if she gets the chance.

“I loved photographing KISS and Iron Maiden, but I have to say Grace Jones is phenomenal. She was 67 when I photographed her at Festival No.6 in Portmeirion in Wales. She hoola-hooped while singing for most of her set – an incredibly impressive woman.

“My dream subject would be Rage Against the Machine, who I thought would never be possible to photograph, but I've just seen that they are touring, so never say never.”

Kiefer Sutherland

Charlotte’s photography and eye-catching photo-manipulations will be showcased in her Capturing Music Through Photography exhibition which opens at the British Music Experience in Liverpool on Thursday, March 5 and runs until Sunday, May 3.

A spokesman for the museum said: “We first met Charlotte through working with The Charlatans and were immediately impressed by her ability to capture the essence of live music from both a performer and an audience perspective. We’re delighted to work with her for our first photography exhibition – we know our visitors are going to love looking through the live images, which will no doubt conjure up great memories of gigs through the ages.”

Charlotte added: “I’m delighted to have the honour of exhibiting at the British Music Experience. This is a very exciting time for me and my career. I like to make my images as colourful and energetic as possible, capturing the essence of a live concert and portraying the musicians at their best. I hope music fans and visitors enjoy the unique perspective my work brings to some very well-known faces.”

Tickets for the exhibition, priced £8, are available at britishmusicexperience.com

Grace Jones