I can sometimes be found at the top of an abseil tower with Bear Grylls!

After 2 years at business college, I went into the family business of photo processing in the pre-digital age. During that time I learnt about running a business, and photography from a different perspective. I loved a busy Saturday when the photographers would come rushing in with their rolls of films, where we would process and print all the proof photos in 2 hours so they could take them back to the wedding reception for the happy couple and their guests to see.

Whilst looking after my young family I studied colour therapy, which still enhances the work I do today. My daughter’s Brownie pack persuaded me to become a leader, which I did for 21 years. I also became a governor at my children’s school. Using these new found skills, I became a school Governing Body Clerk, working at several schools in the primary sector.

In 2007 the World Scout Jamboree was held in Chelmsford. I took my children as day visitors and had an amazing time. This whet my appetite to go to a full one, and a year later I stepped nervously onto the photography team at my first jamboree at Essex International Jamboree in 2008. It was the most fantastic week, and afterwards I did more volunteer photography work with Essex Scouts.

2012 was a fantastic year for this country. Not only was it the Queen's Jubilee, but we also had the Olympics. I was delighted to be a Games Maker driving the Olympic cars at Excel. I was also honoured, and privileged, to carry the Paralympic flame at 1.30am in Watford as part of the relay. Sandwiched in amongst these events was Essex International Jamboree 2012. I went back to the photo team. At the end of the event everyone said I should be a photographer full time, so in October that year I started Lightning Event Photography, specialising in sport and events with onsite printing.

I am a multi-award winning photographer with The Guild of Photographers and the Societies of Photographers, been shortlisted for the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year three times, and finalist for the Photographer of the Year at the Essex Wedding Awards six times.