Sean Conboy and the Architectural Heritage of Blackpool

Photographer Sean Conboy has a long and deeply rooted connection with Blackpool, one that begins with his early life and extends through decades of professional work centred on the town’s architectural heritage. Although internationally recognised for his architectural and interior photography, his relationship with Blackpool is both personal and long-standing. Conboy grew up in England’s North West, and it was during his school years in Blackpool that his interest in image-making first took shape. A film camera inherited from his grandfather sparked a fascination that eventually led him toward still photography and, later, a distinguished career. He’s been working with Blackpool Grand Theatre since 1989, when he was first approached by a local architect who introduced him to The Grand because they needed some photography.

Blackpool’s built environment has played a significant role in Conboy’s professional work. Over many years he has photographed the town’s most iconic landmarks, including the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Winter Gardens, and the Blackpool Promenade. His images, often created using high-resolution medium-format equipment, present these spaces with a clarity and grandeur that highlight both their historic significance and their architectural detail. His work has also been used by local organisations such as Visit Blackpool, for whom he has produced lifestyle and location photography showcasing the town’s character.

One of Conboy’s most notable associations has been with the Blackpool Grand Theatre. He began working with the theatre in 1989, and over the following decades became its longstanding official photographer. His work documented the theatre inside and out, from its public spaces and ornate interiors to behind-the-scenes areas rarely seen by audiences. His photographs were used for marketing, preservation records, and to support the theatre’s refurbishment during the 2000s. Conboy has often spoken about the value of Blackpool’s architectural heritage, emphasising that behind the town’s sometimes stereotyped image lies a collection of remarkable historic buildings worthy of careful documentation.

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre

In recent years, Conboy has contributed to the promotion of architectural heritage in Blackpool through workshops and public photography sessions. These events, frequently held in partnership with the Grand Theatre and other local venues, allow participants to explore historic buildings under his guidance. Locations such as the Tower Ballroom have been used as teaching spaces, encouraging both residents and visitors to appreciate Blackpool’s built history through the lens of professional photography.

Collectively, these connections show that Sean Conboy’s relationship with Blackpool is more than simply professional. It is a place tied to his beginnings, one he has consistently returned to throughout his career, and one whose architectural legacy he has helped to record, promote, and preserve for future generations.