London Marathon 2015

I am very pleased and proud to be running the 2015 Virgin London Marathon on behalf of the Folkestone Rainbow Centre.

Having worked with them in the past to photograph their Winter Shelter project, I was very impressed with their commitment and compassion for the homeless in our area, and with the homeless being very much in the news at the moment, I felt the Rainbow Centre's "Crisis Drop In" would be an perfect cause to run for.

 The Rainbow Centre's crisis drop in service runs throughout the year and offers support to individuals who are going through times of crisis and difficulty. They help people who are struggling with homelessness, are in danger of losing their accommodation or have welfare issues that need to be resolved. In addition to a warm welcome and the offer of a cup of tea or coffee, support is offered on a number of levels including directing people to specialist organisations offering support for finding accommodation.

 In 2014, the Rainbow Centre's Crisis Drop In supported 593 different individuals, an increase of 27% on 2013. With more funds, they will be able to provide even more help this year.

 For those who are homeless, the Rainbow Centre offers a shower room and a laundry with washing and drying machines. Everyone deserves the dignity of feeling clean. The Rainbow Centre also offers assistance with completing official forms, signposting people to various organisations for appropriate help as well as providing an emergency food bag and basic toiletries for those in a crisis, particularly for people who are homeless or have no income.

 I will be raising money in a number of amusing, entertaining and embarrassing ways (all suggestions will be considered) so please give generously and thank you so much for your support.

Visit my page here - http://www.justgiving.com/LukeYatesVLM2015

PRESS RELEASE - Way Ahead Photography is on the move!

I have been promising a big announcement since I started my yearly look back in photos on Facebook, and here it is...

Although Way Ahead Photography will continue to run as my photography business, as of 1st February 2015, I shall no longer be working out of the shop at 149 Hythe High Street,

There are several reasons for this, and I wanted to convey those in my own words so that there is no confusion as to what I am doing.

Firstly - the majority of my work is on location elsewhere, which means I have very little time to sit in a "shop" - something that many people have noticed and remarked on - "you're never there!" Product photos, magazine shoots, weddings, commercial images. None of these are done in the studio.

The second reason is a change in direction in my business model. As I mentioned a few months ago, I was struck by something a close friend said, about there being 2 kinds of people on this earth.  There are "Here I am" people and "There you are!" people.

I think in the age we live in, a "there you are" business model is far more appropriate. Going to customers and giving them what they need is the Way Ahead - and since I've been doing home shoot portraits instead of insisting people bring their families/small children to the studio, I've seen a remarkable improvement, in terms of the photos I get, and how much fun everyone has at the shoot, myself included.

And finally, if I am not using the studio to contribute to the income of my business, I feel the money could be used more effectively elsewhere.

Leaving the studio results in less expense (keeping my costs nice and low for my customers) and better photos. It's a no-brainer, you might say.

I am so thankful for the building I have been using these past 4 year. It has been brilliant for raising awareness of Way Ahead, it has been a cocoon for me that has allowed me to grow and change into the photographer I am now, and it makes a pretty great place to hang out with my friends and clients!

But in the end, it's just a room, and it's just a tool, and the past few months have convinced me that it is no longer essential to my business, or my photography.

I would like to honour my landlord, Alan who has given me an amazing start to my business, and has always been considerate, and diligent, dealing with blocked drains, flooded floors and even managed to impart some of his substantial business acumen over a few sneaky coffees!

I would like to thank my fellow Hythe traders, who have been family to me these past few years, and who have helped me in countless ways. I will continue to check in with you, and support you whenever I can with my photography work.

And I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and my photography thus far, and who I hope will continue to do so in this new season.

All the best for 2015!

Luke