Tributes pour in after popular photographer’s shock death
APOPULAR photographer who captured the happiest days of hundreds of lives has died suddenly at the age of 70.
Michael Dale was known for his weddings, being commissioned to take pictures at hundreds of nuptials in Macclesfield over his almost 40-year career.
Also a talented portrait photographer, Michael won a number of awards for his work, including Cherubs Wedding Photographer of the Year.
He was also runner-up in Fuji’s Wedding Photogra- pher of the Year competition.
Grandfather- of - one Michael, who grew up on Brookfield Lane and lived for many years on Buxton Road in Macclesfield, worked from home, then premises in Park Lane and Mill Lane before retiring in 2013.
He passed away after suf- fering from pulmonary fibrosis.
His wife Barbara, 67, said: “A lot of people have phoned me up and said how shocked they were and how sudden it was.
“He was fantastic, he had a lot of friends and was very well respected – he would do anything for anybody.”
TRIBUTES have been paid after the death of a popular photographer.
Michael Dale, 70, passed away after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis.
An award-winning photographer, he photographed hundreds of Macclesfield weddings, including the nuptials of Stephen Morris from rock band New Order and his wife Gillian Gilbert.
He won awards for his wedding and portrait photographs. He was named Cherubs Wedding Photographer of the Year and he was runner-up in Fuji’s Wedding Photographer of the Year contest. The grandfather of one lived for many years on Buxton Road in Macclesfield with Barbara, his wife or almost 40 years.
Barbara, 67, said: “Most people in Macclesfield have been into the studio have and been photographed by him and the vast majority know his name.
“He photographed weddings all over the northwest, not just in Macclesfield.
“A lot of people have phoned me up and everyone has said how shocked they were and how sudden it was.
“I’m expecting a full house at the funeral.
“He was fantastic, he had a lot of friends and was very well respected – he would do anything for anybody.”
Michael grew up on Brookfield Lane and began his working life as an auto-electrician and worked at Globe and Simpsons before owning an auto-electrician business. Photography was just a hobby for him at first until he left his job around 1975 to pursue his hobby as a career.
Michael started his business working from home, then from premises in Park Lane and finally moved to a studio in Mill Lane and retired two years ago.
Barbara added: “He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and at Christmas it escalated quite a bit and really took a toll on him – he couldn’t breathe very well.
“A lot of people are very shocked, they didn’t expect it. He will be very much missed.”
Michael, whose grandfather Robert White was also a painter/photographer in Macclesfield, not only created lifetime memories of couples’ most special wedding moments but went on to photograph their children’s weddings too.
He met Barbara in 1973 when they were introduced by a friend at the old Crumbles nightclub and they married in 1976.
Barbara added that he would be greatly missed by her and his sons James and Robert, grandson Alfie, and the many friends he made during his lifetime.
Michael’s funeral will take place tomorrow, Thursday, May 7, at 1.45pm at St. Paul’s Church followed by a family service at the cre- matorium. The family has requested no flowers.
Those who wish to are asked to make a donation to the British Lung Foundation.
DOZENS of our online readers took to our Facebook page to share their memories of photographer Michael Dale, who died on April 19, (see our story on page seven)
Louise Upton: He took photos of all my doggies ...he even got bubble up the stairs in his shop ( she has a phobia of stairs) r.i.p x
Lisa Jackson: So sad. He took all our pictures as children x
Sharon Rowley: Omg such sad news he taught my daughter to do photography with work experience. Absolutely lovely man.x
Shelley AndersonHollingworth: Sorry to hear this. Photos Michael took of my daughter make me smile every time I look at them. X
Margaret Ollier: A lovely man. He will be missed. Too young to go.xx
Nicky Hill: So sad, Michael took my wedding photos and then went on to do portraits of my children for years, such a lovely man xx
Kellie Blakemore: Such a shame, he’s was a lovely, lovely man, he was our family photographer sending lots of love to his family at this very sad time xx
Sue Armitt: He was a truly remarkable man, sensational photographer and purveyor of the secret Dales oatcake recipe so traditional in Macc...sending love and prayers to Barbara and family..can’t believe this, God bless xx
Cathie Rance: Very sad. Did an amazing job with our wedding photos in 2008. Lovely man. Thoughts are with you Robert and family xxx
Janet Lund: Such a shame he was lovely, he photographed my wedding 33 years ago as well as one of my dogs.
Lisa Dale: Such sad news , he really was a lovely man who I had the pleasure of meeting many times. His beautiful work fills my home , God bless Michael xxxx
Susan Robinson Turner: So sad. He took pictures of my daughter Faye back in 1984, still one of the best photos I ever had done. Thoughts are with his family.
Wendy Notman: Rip love to the family he used to call in the lemon tree for a sandwhich nice family xx
Angela Davies: So sorry to read this. He shared the best times of my life from engagement, wedding and then baby pics. He even set us up to be on the BBC just before our wedding! Lovely man.
Thoughts with his family and friends, his memory lives on on the walls and in the homes and hearts of many xx
Caren Hussey: R.I.P. to a truly lovely and creative person. I spent many a few minutes having a chat with Mr and Mrs Dale as they parked their mini on the street where live.
You will be missed by many I am sure and my prayers are for your family Michael. God bless
Lisa McDowell: How very sad. He took our wedding pictures in 2004. Rip Michael x
Melanie Robinson: Very sad. He and his daughter did the photographs for our wedding back in 1999 and made the day stress free. Thoughts with his family
Pauline Glancy: So sad to read about Michael, he did our wedding photographs, I got married in June 1981, my thoughts go to his family at this very sad time. Xx
Sophie Bradley: Very sad news I remember him taking many photos of me as a child and he has also done pictures of my children rip x
Steph Jackson: Such a lovely man. He lived near my parents on Buxton road and just a few weeks ago he very kindly brought round a disc of some very old photos he took of me and my sister when he was just starting out in about 1976.
They are so precious as my sister died in 2001 xx
Carole Poyser: So So sorry to here this very sad news, I classed Michael as a friend and he took many beautiful photos for me RIP xxx thoughts with your dear family
Jonathan Griffiths: Very sad news fantastic man to chat to, great customer of ours over the years, please accept our deepest condolences from all at Thompsons
Julie Williams: Very sad news, lots of good memories from The Hunting Lodge. Condolences to all the Family
Chloë Elise Wild: I looked after Michael on Ward 4; such a lovely man! I always remembered him from when I was younger when he took my photograph!
Liz Dentith: Sad news. Michael took our wedding photos in 1988 and regularly took photos of our son. RIP
Victoria Bell: So sad he’s taken some lovely photos of my daughter, his work was amazing xxxx
Simon Leah: Michael was a skilled engineer too. I knew him through the 1990’s and there was always a Jaguar in bits in his garage.
I have a fond memory of being videographer at a wedding he was photographing, and the two of us racing up the Silk Road to the reception in our respective cars.
A very lovely wonderful man, very sad to hear of his passing.
Thoughts are with Barbara and the family.