Steve Read
Steve is an acclaimed celebrity portrait photographer who has worked all over the world, including two years for Tina Brown at Talk magazine in L.A. He has photographed A-listers such as Eminen, Sharon and Ozzy Osborne, Ray Liotta, Alanis Morissette, and Barry White.
Following three months as Artist- in-Residence at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh in 2025, his ‘Shooting Starts Pays the Rent’ exhibition transferred to the Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester, and another residency from December 2025 to March 2026.
With too many incredible images to display at the Refuge, Footfall Space came up with the idea of producing a trail around independent businesses and venues across the city centre, as well as two relevant South Manchester suburbs.
Whilst the idea of an art trail is not revolutionary, nearly all of the venues approached had not participated in such a venture previously. We persuaded ten of them to take that step and host a portrait.
Due to the success of the initial two month run, all venues agreed to extend by a further month.
The trail allowed for a wider audience reach to enjoy Steve’s work, led to sales of his limited edition prints and also drew the attention of new customers to participating businesses during the quieter, new year trading months.
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