MY JOURNEY IN PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’ve ever wondered how Laura Gates Photography came to be, the story really starts long before I ever owned a “proper” camera. I’ve always been a creative person. As a kid, I was the one doodling in the margins, making up stories, or finding something I could craft and create. Looking back, it feels inevitable that I’d end up working in a world built on creativity.
Like many photographers, my journey began with the old family camera. Holidays were my playground, sunsets on the beach, candid snapshots of relatives mid–ice cream, blurry attempts at capturing wildlife that ran far too fast for me. I didn’t know it at the time, but those little moments behind the lens lit a spark that would stay with me forever.
My first photography ‘logo’ on my Facebook page
In my early teens, I got my first “proper” camera. It was a Fuji, though the exact model escapes me now, and from that moment, I was hooked. I played, experimented, learned, messed up, tried again. Eventually I hopped over to Nikon, and then, almost a decade later, found my way back to Fujifilm again so I’ve come full circle. I now shoot with two Fujifilm bodies, an X-T5 and an X-H2S. I do also use a Fujifilm X Half, but not in my ‘professional’ set up, that’s more for my fun and creative output when I like to just plug and play so to speak.
Finding My Path Through Education
My formal creative journey began with studying media, first at college at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, then at university. At the same time, English had always been a passion of mine, so I thought journalism would be the perfect mix of storytelling and creativity. I headed to the University of Lincoln full of enthusiasm, but first year hit me harder than I expected. I felt boxed in. The tutors had a way of guiding creativity into narrow lanes, and I struggled with being pushed into work that didn’t inspire me.
It took a lot of courage, but I made the big decision to leave journalism and restart university the following September on a Media Production course instead, still at University of Lincoln. It was scary, but it was also absolutely the right call. Suddenly, everything clicked. I was finally doing work that excited me, challenged me, and felt like an extension of who I was.
Throughout first, second, and third year, I studied photography as part of my modules. I loved every part of it… except that nagging lack of confidence that always whispered I wasn’t good enough. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self, “You can do this, and you’re capable of so much more than you think.” If I could go back and give myself some advice it would be to “just go out and do it”.
While I was at University, I did start up my photography social media channels and shared any work I did while studying, but I never pushed much beyond that.
Below: some of my studio work from University.
A Detour Back Into Journalism
After finishing my undergraduate degree, I dipped back into journalism, this time as a Master’s student in Sports Journalism. It felt like the perfect blend: my love of sport, my love of storytelling, and a chance to stretch that creative muscle again. But once more, confidence became my biggest hurdle. I was worried about being a woman in sport, I was the only girl on my Sports Journalism course and I always felt I had to prove my worth. I saw the abuse other female journalists faced on social media and within the media and I felt it was too much for me.
You’ll see a running theme with lack of self confidence!
Life After Uni: Bringing It All Together
Outside of university, I stepped into the world of marketing, a perfect hybrid of everything I had learned. Photography, writing, media, creativity, strategy… it all came together nicely. And, if we’re being honest, it also meant I had a steady income while still doing something I enjoyed.
I was still doing my Master’s at the time, too. Working 9–5, then heading straight to the library from 5–9 almost every day to finish coursework. I wouldn’t recommend that routine to anyone… but I made it through. And every part of that journey, every late night, every moment of doubt, every small victory, shaped who I am today.
Posing with my Thesis
Everton, Photography, and Finding My Confidence
A huge part of my growth as a photographer, and as a person, comes from something I love so much, Everton Football Club. The place where I’ve forged most of my friendships, and even led me to my relationship with Connor.
Football has always been tied to my creativity, but photographing Everton changed everything for me. What started as capturing matchdays, moments, and memories became something much bigger, a community that encouraged me, pushed me, and gave me permission to believe in myself.
Everton fans, in particular, have played a massive role in my journey. Their kindness and unwavering support have been nothing short of incredible. Sharing my Everton photography online was one of the first times I truly put my work out into the world, and the response was overwhelming in the best possible way. People I had never met were liking, sharing, and commenting on my images. They told me my photos made them feel something. They reminded me that what I saw through my lens was worth sharing.
That kind of support gives you so much self belief, it gives you a little push forward every time you doubt yourself. For so long I didn’t share my work with the world, and now I have people actively wanting me to share my photos, people anticipating my posts on social media after a big game.
Photographing moments at Goodison Park taught me how powerful emotional storytelling can be. It helped me hone my style: candid, honest, full of heart. It also taught me to trust my instincts and to chase the images that feel meaningful, not just technically perfect. It’s about capturing the moments that connect us all.
Everton has shaped my career in ways I’ll forever be grateful for. From capturing matchday moments, to appearing on global live TV, being part of some incredible documentaries and beyond. Over 1,000 copies of my books sold worldwide, it’s been an incredible journey.
In many ways, Everton didn’t just give me subjects to photograph.
They gave me the confidence to become the photographer I am today.
