Dedicated Blogger

Ok Soooooo I haven't been blogging as much as I would like of late,, between working my day job, looking after the girls and running a business things have been manic to say the very least.

But it is my new year resolution (yes OK its April and I am a tad late) to make sure I blog more.. I just wish I could write beautifully, but I can't so you will have to just persevere or quit reading now!

So just a quick recap about little old me... I reside in Sunny Wrexham in North Wales with my husband Mat, and our delightful brood. Chloe, Amy & Florence.  By day I am a community development worker, a manager and an engagement officer, by weekend I change the hat and become a photographer... but not just any photographer..

I am also Disabled, I don't know why I feel the need to mention this, maybe its because I am proud of my achievements over the years or maybe because I want to forewarn my clients so its not a massive shock to them  I suffered a spinal injury when I was 19 which meant that I was in a wheelchair for just over a year, I learnt to walk again following intensive physio.  I still suffer from paralysis, this is something that will never get better, I have a limp which is my badge of pride (even though I hate it), I have zero balance, zilch, nothing, this means I have to get a little creative with composition,.  I have extreme pain, my kids have to help me put my shoes on, my husband regularly is running to get me pain killers, I drive a car specially adapted with hand controls and have full permission to park in disabled parking bays thanks to the power of the blue badge!  There are so many things that I can't do, (I cant run, I cant wear heels, I cant stand in a Que without looking like I have been on the old vodka, I cant walk very far without falling over) but there are a million and other one things that I CAN do, and these are what I need to focus on, and more importantly what you, the reader needs to focus on.

I have been a hobbyist for many years, after having my third and final daughter and my employers at the time not offering me part time hours, I decided to make one of my all time dreams a reality.  yes it was scary, I mean who would want someone with a limp and a blue badge to photograph them?? (luckily quite a few of you did) :-) so I did it, i bought a better DSLR from a friend, I shot with a kit lens, I read, I practiced on anyone willing to be in front of my camera, I watched hours upon hours of tutorials, I pestered the arse end off my good pal Richard Blain (who thankfully didn't mind, and was super patient )check him out here Richard David Blain Photography, I cried, I hated everything I produced, I absolute compared myself to every bloody photographer out there, I gave up on many occasions but more importantly I realized that I was not that other photographer, I was ME, Karen bloody Long!.

So I did it, I turned my hobby into a small business in 2013.... am I glad I did? HELL YES!! It really has been the most amazing experience, I have met so so many lovely people on my journey, i just wish I would have had the confidence to do it years ago.

I have met some amazing people along the way, many of my clients have become good friends of mine, friends for life, I love that I get to capture memories, I love the fact that my images adorn their walls and is something that they get to look at everyday and smile about, this makes my heart swell with immense pride, I have been part of their life, if only for a short time, I was there.   I love people, I love hearing their stories..

Looking back at my earlier images, I used to cringe and think how shockingly shite they were, not any more, I look back at them with pride! after all everyone has to start somewhere don't they??  they made me thrive to be better, to learn more, to engage with other photographers and more importantly take on board any criticism and learn from it.  so that is just what I set out to be, for the first time in a long time I am happy, happy with the work I am producing, and more importantly my clients are happy (or so they tell me)

I have since had many images featured in top ten submissions - (here are a few) this has been a huge achievement and given me the boost I need when I am full of self doubt.
thedarkroomuk
p-artistry
thedarkroomuk
life Unscripted

So there you have it, by god, I really have babbled on about myself, I hope you don't read it back and think I am full of self pity? quite the opposite, I see my life as an adventure filled with lots of beautiful families and happiness.  If you have got this far then I appreciate you being with me thus far.

I guess the point I am trying to make is don's ever give up on your dream, don't ever let anyone tell you that wont ever achieve,  you have the ability to do whatever you want to do... but only YOU can learn to realise that :-)

Thank you :-)

Karen xxxxx