Camera present changes photographer's life (From Warrington Guardian)
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Camera present changes photographer's life
10:20am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News
Lesley Wood
A DIGITAL camera given as a birthday present has been the catalyst to a new career for a former scientist.
Lesley Wood, from Stretton, has won numerous awards and has a reputation as one of her profession’s high flyers, travelling the world to capture some of nature’s most famous beasts.
The mum-of-two said the present five years ago has changed her life.
She added: “When it was presented to me by my other half Steve, I was really surprised.
“I was a keen photographer from my early childhood, encouraged by my father and brother who were keen amateur photographers.
“But digital photography was relatively new to me and now I had this smart new camera I decided to use it.”
As time went on, Lesley’s interest in photography deepened and after completing a professional training course Lesley Wood Photography was born.
She started off doing portraits and wedding photography but a commission to photograph 11 spaniel puppies would send her business into a new direction.
Lesley won a national photographic award for the line-up and it wasn’t long before other pet commissions came flooding in.
She said: “My shots managed to capture the bond between people and their beloved pets. Soon people were asking me to photograph their horses – now equine photography is a hugely important part of my business.”
The next step was to take picture from safari trups around the globe with stops in Botswana, Zimbabwe, India, Ecuador and the Amazong rainforest with subjects including lions, elephants, giraffe, zebra, hippos, crocodiles and leopards.
She added: “It’s a part of my work that ties in my biology background with my photography. I find it fascinating.”
Lesley now makes a donation to various wildlife charities from sales of special limited edition prints while her photographs continue to attract prestigious awards. She was presented with five gold awards for her animal, wildlife and fine art photography by the SWPP, the international society of photographers in July and August this year.
And two of her photographs reached the finals of the 2012 Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
For further information visit lesleywoodphotography.co.uk or wildearthfineart.com
