A Lincolnshire non-league football photographer has told the story of how working with children on the autism spectrum led to him picking up his camera.
Ed Mayes, 42, from Grantham, had never tried photography ten years ago, but while working in a role supporting children with special educational needs, he bought one simply to help with work.
Fast-forward and he is now Lincoln United‘s official photography.
He said: “My other sort of passion and role is with children on the autism spectrum, so we need to have photos for funders to say we’ve got something and we’re doing something with your money.
“So, I first bought a camera in 2016, didn’t really get that much involved until 2018 and then been doing football photography since 2019.
“It’s something that’s just grown really. You’ve got to grow your gear and you’ve got to grow your experience, so it says on my badge that its est. 2018 and I would say I’ve been doing it about seven years.”
Ed has since gone from strength to strength and is currently operating as Lincoln United’s club photographer, as well as being the current official snapper for Lincolnshire FA.
Ed explained what drew him to Ashby Avenue, saying: “I first came down for a game against Horncastle Town in 2021, it was a great game of football. So, it was just after lockdown ended, I’m approaching having done it for five years now.”
Ed has also worked for Harrowby United, another Lincolnshire based club who now compete in the same division as The Whites.
“If you want the honest answer, I live equidistant between Lincoln and Grantham. And when I first started Harrowby were step six and Lincoln United were step four, so at the time it was originally because they were the highest up,” he said.
It has been a rollercoaster of a journey ever since. In Ed’s short spell as club photographer the men’s team have experienced a relegation, as well as a FA Vase run which saw them a penalty shoot-out away from a final at Wembley Stadium.
He said: “The game against Deal Town when there was about 1,400 down here was really good. But, then the game against Romford where it was one kick away from me going to Wembley, that was disappointing because ultimately, it’s very difficult to get a press pass.
“The women as well, obviously winning a treble last season was really good. So yeah, there’s been some good times, another one would be them staying up and doing the great escape.”
Ed regularly attends upwards of three matches a week, taking time out of his week to snap photos all over the county.
On what keeps him motivated, he said: “I just want to get better, basically I want to get better in myself, I want to progress.
“I just want to provide the best possible coverage I possibly can for this level. The day where I think I’ve done really well is the day I’ll give up because that’s how I am. I don’t know how good my photos are, I have no idea, I just take them and hope that people like them.”
Describing his favourite shots, he said: “Probably the best one that I’ve taken of action would be the one of Ellie Gilliatt…in the final of the league cup against Basford. She’s just gone round the keeper, and the goalkeeper is sort of looking behind thinking ‘Oh no, that’s going to go in.’
“The other one was in a pre-season friendly where a Harrowby player, was looking to stride by somebody and the other guy just had a bit of mud on his face and thinking ‘Ah I’ve just been beaten here’.
“They both tell a story and I think that’s the most important thing, I think too many photographers get caught up on their gear and the sharpness of photos and all that. Don’t get me wrong you need a sharp photo but that comes with experience.”
He did quickly point out a popular photo of Lincoln United legend Kallum Smith holding a flare is not near the top of his list.
“That’s not the kitman’s favourite photo, it took them a long time to get that stuff out the shirts,” he said.
Ed, who is always on the hunt for the perfect shot, will be hoping success returns to Lincoln this term as they hunt for promotion into step four. It’ll be his photos you see as along the way.