Way Ahead Photography

Thursday, 19 February 2015

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

Friday, 2 January 2015

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

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Cyber Busking?

I've decided that one way to raise money would be to let people pick songs for me to cover on the acoustic guitar. Simply go to http://localgiving.com/lukeyates and make a donation and let me know what song you'd like me to have a crack at.

Nothing is off limits - but bear in mind I'm not the world's best singer... I will do my utmost to entertain and amuse tho...

As a textbook example of this - have a look at today's offering. Enjoy ;)

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

It's Official... I'm running a Marathon!

(originally posted on Facebook)

Right the physio thinks she can get me to the finish line, I'm feeling characteristically stubborn, so let's do this... time to make it official.

I hereby declare the following:

Regardless of whether I walk with a limp forever afterwards , and even though my stretching exercises will probably frighten the old ladies of Brighton, on Sunday 6th April 2014 I *WILL* be running (and even hobbling/crawling) a Marathon, and I'd like YOU to visit my LocalGiving page and help me raise money for a cause I've become very attached to. Please.

Being a shameless individual, you can assume I will be open-minded to requests/dares/bets and anything however painful (but only to me) and embarrassing (probably mostly for my wife and kids) that might cause you to delve into your wallets

Please go to localgiving.com/lukeyates for more info about my run, and to donate!

Thank you you lovely bunch - you are fantastic! x

Saturday, 25 January 2014

How we roll in the studio...

I do studio photo shoots a little different to most, so here's a run-through of how I do things at Way Ahead Photography...

Step 1: You come to the studio and have a brilliantly fun hour. No stuffy photographer (just a very chatty me!) no need to take off your shoes (it's not the Ritz after all)... we chat lots and take loads of photos and you get to see the photos as we go along, so you know how amazing you look!

Step 2: The proofs are sent to you digitally, so you can choose 30 images you like. This gives you a chance to be objective about the shots, with no interference from a pushy salesman (or "photographer" as they sometimes call themselves...). You already know what you are paying and what you are getting, so there are no hidden costs and no emotional blackmail!

Step 3: Once you have selected your photos, they are tidied up and sent to you hi-resolution with no watermarks (either digitally on on a CD) YOUR photos. Do what you like with them (even post them on Facebook and say how amazing the photographer was :) )

The outcome? You pay a piffling £99, have a huge smile on your face and are the proud owner of beautiful photos that will give you pleasure for many years.

You can come back to me for great quality prints/canvasses etc, which I ill do for you at a great price using my brilliant local suppliers and contacts, but you are equally welcome to shop around! They are YOUR photos, after all!

You can contact Way Ahead Photography on Facebook by messaging, or email luke@wayaheadphotography.com or phone 07956584178

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

New Website Goes Live!

I am very pleased to announce that I've been putting the quietness of January (sadly an occupational hazard!) to good use and have completely redesigned the Way Ahead Photography website!

I've been privileged to be involved in some amazing photo shoots in the past year or two, and I wanted to reflect this by updating the website with a whole bunch of new images.

I have tried to clean up the design of the new site so that it is all about the photos. Lots of lovely full screen images, and not a lot of waffle from me.

Because let's face it, all that trite "I am passionate" and "I am committed" stuff is really boring, and self-absorbed. I'd rather let my photos do the talking...

Also I've listened to my lovely customers who have made it clear that my main selling point, is me and how I do photography. So the new site proudly sports my name in nice friendly joined-up writing, placed carefully above Way Ahead Photography, which I think is significant. I want people to feel they are dealing with a personable human being at all times - not some faceless corporation!

I want to take the opportunity to say a huge thank to to all the amazing people I work for and with, and also to Steve Smith from Mantaur, a good mate and my web server guru!

Friday, 29 November 2013

Black Friday - Way Ahead Stylee...

PHOTOSHOOT COMPETITION

Today this limited edition art print by Way Ahead Photography is being auctioned by Bamfords in Derby as part of a Guinness record-attempt charity auction - for Annabel's Angels and some other excellent charities.

I've decided to run a competition a bit like the penny auction sites.

So here's what you have to do to try and win a FREE 1 Hour Photo shoot and 30 images on DVD at my studio.

1) Go here to the Justgiving page and donate a quid (or more if you want) for each guess you would like to make.

2) Send a message Way Ahead Photography on Facebook PRIVATELY, and have a guess what the picture will sell for. You can have as many guesses as you like, but please can you make a DONATION of at least £1 to Annabel's Angels for each guess!

3) Watch/listen to the auction live here (the photo I've donated is Lot 1728). Psst - I don't mind if you bid too

4) The CLOSEST ORIGINAL GUESS to what the picture actually goes for in auction wins the free shoot! "ORIGINAL" as in only one person must have guessed the amount that I deem the winner. There can be only one!!!

Please note my decision is final, and that you will need to be able to get to my studio in Hythe, Kent (UK!) to claim the prize!

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU X

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

PRESS STATEMENT: Thank you Herald! (and your lovely readers!)

(as posted on the Herald's Facebook page)

Hi folks - a massive thank you for your support on this, and to the Herald for bringing it to your attention. Both very much appreciated

I would never want to be somebody seen as grumpy and I hope my inpromptu chalk campaign today raised a few smiles - it certainly had people chuckling outside my studio - as well as highlight the importance of not tolerating this sort of thing.

I am very aware that the majority of dog owners are lovely decent people who do clear up after their pets, and that sadly as with many things in life, just a few people spoil this. And I don't think that's fair or right.

We are very proud of our lovely High Street in Hythe and work very hard to try to make our shops as friendly and inviting as possible, so we really don't appreciate this sort of thing occurring.

Also there are health implications to small children and old people in particular who come into contact with abandoned dog mess, so it is an important issue and one I feel we all need to stand against. Oh and it's illegal too of course!

There is currently a beautiful photo of a husky dog in my shop window, I am a big fan of dogs and have enjoyed lots of fun doggie photo shoots at my studio. I would simply like people to be able to come to my studio, enjoy the photos in the window and enjoy photo shoots at my studio without the risk of stepping in something unpleasant!

Thanks again for your support, and don't forget your chalk!

Luke (Way Ahead Photography)

Monday, 30 September 2013

40-40: We have lift-off!

Pleased to say I finally got round to kicking off the 40-40 project (well I have been a busy boy over the Summer after all!)

And what better way to set the ball rolling than a fun photo shoot with one of my oldest chums, local businessman, writer, film director and musician, Andy Coughlan.

Andy used to be in my first ever rock band (the wonderfully named "Yak"...), is constantly grinning and is a thoroughly top chap. I'm not sure being 40 really bothers him in the slightest and in many ways he hasn't changed a bit!

Thanks Andy! :)

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Dad Was Right...

When I was a lad I used to get rather irked with the insomniacal antics of my dad. A real live country boy, he loved to get up at the crack of dawn. Unfortunately he was rather evangelistic in his ways and insisted that we all do likewise. "You don't know what you're missing," he'd enthuse, "it's the best part of the day!"

Many, many years later, and as a photographer in particular, I am starting to realise just how right he was.

There is something about making an effort to get up with the sun, that transforms my whole outlook. Perhaps it's the freshness of the morning, the warmth and hope that first peek at the sunlight gives me. Or perhaps it's because I get two whole hours (in the summer at least) to do whatever I like. Run, cycle or just go out and take photos for fun.

Whatever it is I find myself energised and optimistic after an early morning start, and I have to really resist the urge to do as my dad used to, and come home and wake everybody up noisily!

Last week I managed to find a model - the fantastic Steph - crazy enough to do likewise, and we enjoyed a really lovely photoshoot on the beach in Greatstone, Kent. We both felt it was definitely worth the early start!

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

40-40-40 Update... I still need you! :)

A while ago I posted THIS blog about my 40-40-40 Project. 40 portraits of 40 people turning 40 around about the same time as me...

I've finally got myself a little more organised and am coming back to this one. I've created a form on my website HERE - if you are interested in being one of my 40-40 subjects, please fill out the form and send it over.

Ta muchly! :)

Sunday, 31 March 2013

Folkestone10 - 29th March 2013

Photos from this year's Folkestone10 race are now online. It was a fantastic event, despite the un-Spring-like weather, icy cold breeze and hints of snow, and it was made even more exciting and memorable by paralympic goalballer Louise Simpson being on hand to start the race. She also ran the 10 mile course, putting in a very respectable time indeed.

Over 650 runners took part this time round, and fans of the Folkestone10's Facebook page are hailing the event the "best Folkestone10 yet!" I had a fantastic time photographing the race, which proved to be very fast and frantic! I also enjoyed meeting the brilliant people who participated and/or organised and ran the event, and generally drinking in the atmosphere and experience the day provided. Many thanks and a huge well done to race director Ian Bubb for doing such a superb job.

Also a big thanks and shout out must go to my fellow shooter, David Winstanley, who did an outstandingly flawless job, as I knew he would when I asked him to co-shoot the race.

Photos from the 2013 Folkestone10 can be viewed and purchased via my website: http://www.wayaheadphotography.com/eventpics

Friday, 4 January 2013

40-40-40: I need YOU!

I am turning 40 this year. Needless to say I'm not happy about it.

I have never been one for getting depressed about birthdays, I've always just seen them as just another day. To be honest I don't feel any different to when I was 18. Just sleepier.

And yet there is something different about this one - the big 4-0. Something that gets under my skin, and has turned me into (as my kids would say) a big grump. What is it about this "milestone" that is effecting me? Why does it seem significant? And is it just me?

That's why I've decided to do a project this year I am called 40-40-40

40 photos.

40 people.

All 40 in 2013.

40 people willing to bare their faces and souls, to help me understand what this 40 lark is all about. What it means to them, why it bothers them, or why it doesn't.

And I need YOU! If you want to volunteer (and live near enough to Hythe in Kent) I will shoot your portrait. You will definitely get a copy of said portrait. If I decide to turn this into a book, I will let you have a free copy of the book. I'm not sure where I want to take this yet...

You can contact me via Facebook, or you can post a comment or email me at luke@wayaheadphotography.com

It would be brilliant if you could get involved! It might just keep me sane too! :)

Cheers

Luke