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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Want your phone photos to look like they’ve come straight out of a glossy magazine or a professional website? Believe it or not, you don’t need fancy cameras or expensive gear to get that polished, commercial look. With a few simple tips and a bit of practice, your smartphone can produce some seriously impressive shots. Here’s how to get started: