A big hello and welcome
We are Graham and Hannah, and together we run Graham Crichton Photography here in Belfast.
We are a people and pet portrait studio in Northern Ireland, specialising in pet portraits and family portraits, created as finished artwork for the home.
We photograph people and pets because they are part of everyday life, not just special occasions. The portraits we create are made to be lived with, to be seen properly, and to mean more as time passes.
Most people come to us because they want something that feels real to them. A portrait of the dog who follows them everywhere, the family that finally managed to get everyone in the same place, or simply something worth putting on the wall instead of leaving on a phone. The aim is always the same. To create portraits that still feel important years from now.
We are a small studio, and that is intentional. When you get in touch you will usually speak with Hannah first, and Graham photographs every session personally. It means we get to know the people who come through the door, and the experience feels personal from beginning to end.
We tell tails, and we can't wait to tell yours.
The studio
Our studio is based in the old Orangefield Post Office in Belfast, now a space designed specifically for portrait photography. Everything here exists for one reason, to create portraits properly. It is where sessions take place, where you return to see your images, and where decisions are made about what will eventually go on your walls.
Nothing is hidden away. You see where the photographs are created and how the finished pieces come together, which helps people understand the difference between seeing an image on a screen and seeing it as something made to live in your home.
Around the studio you will also see examples of finished work in real sizes and layouts, helping you picture what your own portraits could look like once they leave the studio and become part of everyday life.
Our superhero team…
Graham: Photographer & Co-Owner
Graham is the main person you’ll meet when you come in to have your photos taken. He’s a big nerd and has always wanted to be his own boss, originally starting out writing computer software when he was 5 years old. He broke away from this nerdiness in a fit of rebellion and went to drama school in London, before working in theatre as a professional stage manager for a number of years. But it was this drive to be his own boss that made him come back to Northern Ireland and start his journey as a photographer many years ago – now one of Northern Ireland’s most popular. When not working (which trust me, doesn’t happen often!), Graham loves walking Glyn the Dog, is obsessed (like properly!) in the story of the Titanic, loves karaoke and cooking! (You’d know he’s quite the Gordon in the kitchen by his swearing everytime he burns something!)
Graham is also a photography educator – helping other pet photographers reach their goals. His approach is totally different from the rest of the photographic education industry, with an emphasis on honest and blunt advice – cutting through the nonsense. He doesn’t care about awards or exposure. He cares about the experience of the customer. Graham is available for individual consultations, talks, seminars, podcasts, retreats etc.
Hannah: Client Happiness Manager & Co-Owner
Hannah isn’t from Northern Ireland. She’s a blow in (with now quite a discernable ‘faux’ Belfast accent!). Originally from the small village of Ynysybwl in Wales, Graham and Hannah met when he was photographing a wedding she was attending in Italy. It was instant love across the first dance dancefloor. Originally Hannah studied Archaeology at the University of Reading, but being quite OCD gave it up for the less mucky degree of Medieval History. Hannah moved to Belfast in 2010 and they both wed in 2016. Hannah has recently left her own successful career outside of the business in finance, to join the business full-time and head up marketing and client happiness. Hannah is also back at the books and studying for a degree in Business Management & Accounting at the OU.
Glyn the Dog (All Round Good Boy)
Glyn is a dog. To be particular, he is a nine year old Lhasa Apso with roots in Tibet – allbeit he is from North Belfast. He’s unusual in that he goes to work every day with Graham and can often be seen (and sometimes heard!) in the studio. He likes longish walks, food off your plate, fancy threads from Don’t Forget the Dog and old episodes of Blockbusters. When he grows up he would like to pursue a career on stage, possibly appearing on The Rex Factor or Britain’s Got Tailant.
Madison: Everything Social Media & Photo Studio Apprentice
Madison is in charge of everything social. She does the TikTok, the Facebook, the Instagram… and even the Bebo.
Take a look around the studio before you visit.
Explore our virtual tour
Places to eat and drink in Belfast
When you're up visiting us, why not make a day of it in Belfast and visit some of these great places to eat and drink:
- Hearth Bar, Ballyhackamore (5 mins from studio)
- Lazy Claire Patisserie (2 mins from studio)
- French Village Bakery (5 mins from studio)
- Bullhouse East (5 mins from studio)
- Ichiban Sushi Teppanyaki Japanese Restaurant (Okay, this one is in Newtownards... but is worth the de-tour!)
Things to do in Belfast
When you're up visiting us, why not make a day of it in Belfast and visit some of these great places:
- Titanic Belfast (10 mins from studio)
- The Avenue Cinema (15 mins from studio)
- Prison Island Escape Room (15 mins from studio)
- Dundonald Ice Bowl (15 mins from studio)
- HMS Caroline (10 mins from studio)
Places to Shop in Belfast
When you're up visiting us, why not make a day of it in Belfast and visit some of these great shops:
- Innocent Chaos (5 mins from studio)
- Hunter Paper Co. (10 mins from studio)
- Oh Doggy (Literally across the road!)
- St. George's Market (15 mins from studio)