About Lance Burkitt: Photographer, Rotherham, Yorkshire & the UK.
Academic Foundations & Professional Photographic Expertise
I am Lance Burkitt, a professional commercial, fashion, editorial & Portrait photographer operating from a dedicated creative studio space in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. My approach to visual storytelling is built upon rigorous technical training and a deep understanding of visual culture, backed by a Master of Arts (MA) in Photography.
Selected Achievements
Photography has taken me considerably further than simply making pictures. Since beginning my professional practice in 2006, I have worked across portraiture, fashion, editorial, commercial photography, music, filmmaking, street and documentary work.
Along the way I have also explored photography through exhibition, publishing, research and education.
2006 – Began professional photographic practice
- Early studio and freelance photography across portraiture, people and fashion.
2010 –
The Ages promotional calendar – self-commissioned and published in the UK for industry
2010: Shot first cover and features for ‘Just as beautiful magazine’ later ‘beautiful magazine’ celebrating people who do not fit inside industry norms
2010 –
- Established Pink Link Films
Creating short films and music videos.
2014 –
- Founded Ascendance Magazine
- Created an independent publishing platform for emerging photographers, models, stylists, hair and makeup artists and other creative talent.
Featured by Lemontrend.
- Interviewed about my work as a fashion and portrait photographer and the thinking behind Ascendance Magazine.
2017 – MA Photography — Nottingham Trent University (Graduated)
- Traced — Surface Gallery, Nottingham. Exhibited as part of the Nottingham Trent University MA Photography exhibition.
- Exhibited same exhibition in Rotherham in August 2017.
2018 – Founded Lumière Gallery, Rotherham
- Established an independent photography and art gallery on Rotherham High Street, exhibiting my photography alongside work from other regional creatives.
- Published photographic researcher The Death of the Mechanical Photograph – a grounded theory approach* published in Studies in Visual Arts and Communication.
2020.
- Published book ‘The Obfuscation of Photography’ A book exploring photographic history, technology and the way we have been misinformed as to the origins of the medium.
- Published Photographer’s Widow. A photographic book bringing together personal observations of people, places and everyday moments.
Selected Portrait Subjects across the years:
My portrait work has included actors, performers and musicians including Jay Aston, Cheryl Baker, Dean Andrews, Steve Huison and Kevin Kennedy, Joe McGann, Mark Moraghan, Sarah Champion.
Published Photography
- My work has appeared across fashion, editorial and music publications, including recent publication in Vigour Magazine and SELIN Magazine, alongside credited imagery for OX Magazine, Traveller’s Tunes and Gigslutz.
My photography is also represented through a portfolio on PhotoVogue.
2026 – Founded Burkitt Studio Ltd
- Bringing together photography, filmmaking, visual strategy and more than two decades of creative and leadership experience within a dedicated commercial studio in Rotherham.
- Featured by The Real Edit. My career and return to full-time creative practice were explored in the feature *Lance Burkitt: A Creative Life Coming Full Circle*.
Twenty years after taking photography seriously for the first time, I am still photographing people, still experimenting and still interested in what an image can communicate.
20 + years of real world experience
Creative Direction & Global Editorial Footprint
Beyond commercial brand campaigns, my work is deeply rooted in the publishing industry. As the Founder and Creative Director of Ascendance Magazine, I regularly collaborate with international models, stylists, and designers to curate publication-ready imagery.
This active role at the helm of an established industry publication gives me a unique advantage when working with B2B clients and creative agencies. I understand exactly what editors look for in an image, how a photograph functions layout-wise on a page, and how to capture the exact mood required to connect with a contemporary audience. My editorial eye ensures that your marketing assets do more than just showcase a product—they elevate your entire brand narrative.
Premium Creative Infrastructure at Canklow Meadows
High-quality photography requires professional infrastructure. My commercial work is produced primarily out of a fully equipped photography studio located at Steelbox Works, Canklow Meadows, Rotherham.
Positioned conveniently off West Bawtry Road, close to Junction 33 of the M1, the studio provides an ideal, accessible environment for commercial shoots, high-fashion portfolio builds, and product photography productions. Serving clients throughout Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and traveling nationwide for editorial commissions, I am committed to providing transparent pricing, clear creative direction, and exceptional visual assets that drive commercial results.