A brilliant photographer who has been a pioneer in showcasing Southport’s excellent nightlife scene is enjoying a new chapter as a fashion photographer in France.
Zackary Downey, owner of ZEDPhotography and ZED studios, is a man who will be recognised by tens of thousands of people who have enjoyed nights out in our resort.
He has spent the past few years taking pictures of people enjoying their visits to Southport’s bars, pubs and clubs, giving great exposure to our town’s night-time economy.
Last year he was scouted by a leading French fashion company after he appeared on ITV show The Mummy Diaries with Sam Faiers. He is now flying out to relocate in France, and will be working between Lyon in France and Geneva in Switzerland.
Renowned for his celebrity photoshoots, Zackary has worked with stars including ITV’s ‘First Time Mum’ Fearne McCann as well as taking photoshoots with Megan McKenna (Celebrity Big Brother, The Only Way Is Essex and Ex On The Beach), model Demi Rose and others for national newspapers and magazines.
Fashion and celebrity photogapher Zackary Downey, from Southport, is starting a new life in France and Switzerland. Zackary owns ZEDPhotography, which has just opened a new studio in Ormskirk.
Zack has also worked as a fashion photographer at Cannes Film Festival, Paris Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, has travelled the world on cruise ships and has seen his work published as far away as Dubai, Seattle and Australia.
Not bad for someone who has just turned 27! It is his love for travel, fashion photography and new challenges that has seen Zackary leave his beloved hometown of Southport and relocate to France for an exciting new opportunity.
He has spent the past five years working as a photographer for numerous renowned fashion brands, which recently led to him being contracted by large French retailer Brentiny Paris.
Giving him the opportunity to relocate to France, it has taken his career to new heights.
Zackary said: “Freelancing to the brand for the past 18 months from my studio on Lord Street in Southport has helped to build and develop my connections with the French fast fashion industry, learning and growing new skills.
Guests enjoy a night out at Avenue bar in Southport before the lockdown began. Photo by ZEDPhotography
“The UK’s fast fashion market is much more advanced, but also more saturated. I am hoping to continue developing brands for a couple of years at a time, before a possible move to Italy to hit the Higher fashion industry and forging connections with Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Valentino.
“Building a brand in Southport has been the greatest thing for me to help self promote myself, photographing people in bars and nightclubs every week.
“Some people questioned why I continued after I began working internationally and with celebrity clients, but I love Southport, and you never forget your roots.”
Zackary recently opened his new ZED Photography studios in Ormskirk, a presence he is looking forward to maintaining in the area as he jets back between here and France.
The ZED Photography Nightlife business and ZED Photography studios in the UK will now be operated by Zackary’s brother and fellow photographer and videographer, Kirk.
Zackary said: “I achieved one of my biggest dreams this year, to own a white E-commerce / Portraiture studio.
“But who could turn down a fantastic opportunity to go and work in the south of France.
“It has been a couple months of hard graft while I have been in and out of working abroad, but it feels so worth it now.”
You can follow Zackary’s adventures or contact ZEDPhotography in the UK on Instagram @zedshoots and on Facebook at ZEDphotography
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