Could this shot snap Thanet council out of the past?

KEEN snapper David Watkins from Westgate has offered his alternative images to help promote Margate.

David, 50, and his favourite model Gabrielle Gothe, 22, have been snapping away across the isle for five years, but have been unable to get tourism bods interested in their work.

The Cedric Road resident has been a photographer for 25 years and capturing his images have taken him all over the world.

He said: “The image with Gabrielle in the red flowing dress on Margate harbour is one we sent three times to the council. We offered it to them free of charge to promote the town as it is so vibrant and alive.

“Everywhere it has been shown, we have had great feedback. A photographer in London told me it was the only picture he’d seen that makes Margate look alive.

“The first time I sent it, they sent an email saying it would be put through to the proper department. Nothing more happened. The second and third time I sent it we got no reply at all.

“We do our utmost to promote Thanet as a great place for artists and photographers, as well as trying to help alternative youngsters show a positive image to the world. Gabrielle and I genuinely love Thanet and all its potential, and will continue to promote it in any way we can.”

A Thanet council spokesman said the authority receives hundreds of photos from residents keen to see their photography used in council publications and cannot use them all. It has now asked David to send his photo to the communications department who “loved” the image.

The spokesman said: “We welcome the use of any photos that show any part of Thanet in a positive way and it would be great to see more people send us photos, however we can’t promise that they will all be used.”

Gabrielle, who was born in Margate and returned to the isle about three years ago, said she is glad Thanet council has now taken an interest in the snap.

She added: “I feel that many of Thanet council’s photos dwell on the past and on something that doesn’t exist anymore. Ours shows what a beautiful place Margate is and feels a lot more contemporary.”

We asked local experts what they thought of David’s image.

Marketing director of Turner Contemporary John Haywood said: “It’s very striking, but doesn’t sum up what I think of Margate. There’s a feeling of celebration that the flags and her dress give to it, but the area has other assets that are more likely to inspire people to come here.”

Shell Grotto owner Sarah Vickery said: “It’s very colourful, but it doesn’t sell Margate. It just shows a lot of concrete in the background. It shows their skills as a model and photographer, but it’s not instantly Margate, it could be anywhere. I like the flags, but that’s not why people come to the seaside.”

Margate Town Partnership coordinator Dave Kinnear said: “It’s very colourful and very positive and it shows Margate going forward. I’m not sure we would use it for any of our publicity material because we tend to show some kites or a quad bike, but I think it’s an image that shows which way Margate is heading.”