When I tell people I run a filmmaking and photography business from Doncaster, I usually get one of two reactions: confused silence or "But wouldn't you do better in London?"

The assumption is that if you're serious about creative work, you need to be in the capital. Better clients. Bigger budgets. More opportunities. And sure, there's some truth to that. But after building Wayne Sables Project here in Yorkshire for the past several years, I've learned something important: you don't need to be in London to run a successful creative business. You just need to work differently.

Three years into freelancing, I said yes to everything. Wedding videos at 6AM? Sure. Can you edit this by tomorrow? Absolutely. Would you shoot our event for half your rate because "it's great exposure"? Well... okay.

I was drowning in work, making decent money, but absolutely miserable. My 365 photography project—something I actually loved—became a frantic phone snap at 11:58PM most nights. I was too exhausted for creative projects, and worse, I was saying yes to clients I actively dreaded working with.

My partner watches me wander around Doncaster with my phone out, framing shots with my hands like some sort of directorial mime, and asks the eternal question: "Are you actually working or just avoiding real work?"

The answer? Yes. Both. Absolutely.

Location scouting is the unsung hero of filmmaking—and it's where most amateur projects fall apart. You can have the best camera, the most talented actors, and a brilliant script, but if your location is fighting against you, you're in for a world of pain.

The Car Park Incident

Filmmaking in Doncaster is thriving, mixing grassroots creativity, documentary storytelling, and innovative digital art in a city that often flies under the radar of the UK film map. Doncaster’s mix of industrial heritage, new city status, and growing creative infrastructure makes it a surprisingly powerful base for a filmmaking career.

Let me set the scene: I'm sitting in a production meeting with experienced filmmakers—people who've worked on actual television shows and proper documentary features. I'm nodding along, trying to look like I belong, while a voice in my head screams, "They're going to realize you're a fraud any second now."

This is imposter syndrome, and if you work in creative fields, we need to talk about it.

When I tell people I run a filmmaking and photography business from Doncaster, I usually get one of two reactions: confused silence or "But wouldn't you do better in London?"

The assumption is that if you're serious about creative work, you need to be in the capital. Better clients. Bigger budgets. More opportunities. And sure, there's some truth to that. But after building Wayne Sables Project here in Yorkshire for the past several years, I've learned something important: you don't need to be in London to run a successful creative business. You just need to work differently.

Documentary filmmaking rewards planning, patience, and curiosity. Done well, it turns real life into powerful stories that stay with your audience long after the credits roll.​

Whether you are starting your first film or refining your craft, these practical tips will help you move from a rough idea to a compelling finished documentary.

Running a freelance creative business in filmmaking and photography means you're never truly off the clock. Between editing projects, scouting locations, and chasing invoices, it's easy to let the fundamentals slip. After years of building Wayne Sables Project here in Doncaster, I've learned that sustainable success doesn't come from working harder—it comes from working smarter and establishing habits that protect both your creativity and your business.

Every building, stage, or public space has a story, but most of the time it fades into the background. Projection mapping changes that. Instead of adding a screen or a banner, you use light, movement, and sound to turn the space itself into the canvas, whether that’s a theatre façade, a gallery wall, or a city landmark.

Getting into projection mapping with MadMapper 6.0 is easiest if you treat it like a film shoot: prep your kit, plan the surface, then work through a repeatable software workflow. This step‑by‑step guide walks through everything from gear and setup to building your first show in MadMapper 6.0.

In the rapidly evolving worlds of filmmaking and photography, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both excitement and uncertainty. As a creative who values storytelling and authenticity, I’ve always believed in the power of personal vision. However, recently, I’ve found myself embracing a digital assistant into my creative process—one that never sleeps, never tires, and is constantly learning: AI.

The rule of thirds is a foundational guideline in portrait photography that helps create balanced, visually appealing images by strategically positioning your subject. It divides your frame into nine equal sections using two horizontal and two vertical lines, guiding you to place points of interest at the intersections or along these lines rather than dead center.

Have you ever wanted to push your creativity further or see the world through a new lens—every single day? In 2025, I set myself a challenge: to take one creative photo every day for a year. This wasn’t just about mastering technical skills or getting more familiar with my Leica Q2; it was a journey into seeing the extraordinary within the ordinary, celebrating those everyday moments we often overlook.

The Joys and Challenges of Filming on Location—Lessons Learned

Filming on location is an ongoing adventure—every project brings a new blend of excitement, unpredictability, and, inevitably, a few curveballs you never quite see coming. What keeps me hooked is the raw joy of capturing real people in real places. There's something incomparable about authentic reactions and unscripted beauty; it’s those fleeting, unexpected moments that elevate a film from polished to genuinely memorable.

Mastering On-the-Go Editing: Creative Tips for Filmmakers Using Lightroom Mobile

Mobile editing has truly revolutionised the way I work as a filmmaker and photographer. No longer tied to a desktop, I find myself breathing life into images while waiting for a train, standing in the inevitable coffee queue, or tucked away in a quiet pub corner between meetings. Smartphones have removed the barriers to creativity—now, inspiration can strike, and you can act on it almost instantly.

The Art of Projection Mapping: Real Stories from Venues and Installations

Projection mapping isn’t just a technical trick—it’s one of my favourite creative tools to transform spaces radically, injecting new life and purpose into buildings, structures, and landscapes that people walk past every day, often without a second glance. But let’s be honest: behind every dazzling display, there’s a whole lot of problem-solving, improvisation, and a few wild stories that never make it onto social media.

Networking is a vital tool for freelancers and small business owners alike, serving as the lifeblood that can fuel growth, boost presence, and open doors to new opportunities. In an increasingly competitive market, the ability to connect with others, build relationships, and foster trust can be the difference between stagnation and success.

Being yourself within your business is one of the most powerful choices you can make as an entrepreneur or freelancer. Authenticity not only sets you apart in a crowded market but also builds genuine trust with clients, collaborators, and audiences.