One of my earliest memories is of getting keen on fishing in a stream near our house, and while I was standing there waiting for the fish to bite, I'd start noticing all the wildlife. I'd rush home and tell my parents all about the animals and birds I'd seen. Later on I learnt some from my uncle and I watched wildlife series on TV. Then I bought my first camera, and a photographer was born!
I'm busy all the time now that I'm better known, and I work spring, summer, autumn, winter, with hardly a break sometimes. I have to get the most out of each day, so I often find myself making notes for articles, or editing images, maybe, while waiting in a hide for a bird to appear. I try to be patient, but luckily there's usually nobody to hear if I get cross and start complaining to myself!
I've been working as a wildlife female photographer for ten years now and have a pretty strong reputation, though I say so myself. I use the most advanced cameras and lenses I can get hold of, but that doesn't make me different from any other professional photographer. And I put in lots of hours, but again, that's something we all have to do. I think what I'm known for is being able to come up with exceptional images in poor conditions. And wildlife is a popular area at the moment.
My range of clients varies from someone just wanting a picture to hang in their sitting room, to picture libraries and major wildlife charities. I've been fortunate enough to win a couple of international competitions. A while ago I spent ages checking the proofs of a book of what I think are my most beautiful photos—it's out in the shops now, in fact. Something I haven't done, which would be fun, is to travel round the country showing a selection of my images at local art galleries and libraries. I like the idea of the contact with the public. But who knows what else will occur to me?