Karen Appleyard Photography

Gamekeeper turned Photographer!
From a very young age, I always wanted to be a Gamekeeper, following in the footsteps of my Father. When I wasn’t at school, I could be found helping Dad. From the age of seven, during the shooting season, I would be amongst the line of beaters and there was many a day when I would I try to miss the school bus on purpose so that I could go bush beating.
Back then for a girl to become a Gamekeeper was unheard of. Whilst at primary school my parents bought me a Kodak Instamatic Camera one Christmas, and then, when I was in my teens they bought me a Praktica. We had a friend of the family who was a professional photographer and I began to spend time learning from him.
I eventually got my chance at Gamekeepering, I was even promoted to Head Keeper, the first female in the country to achieve this. So, here I was, where I was meant to be!
One day, while working on a shoot, I collapsed at work. I brushed this off and returned to work the following day, not knowing this was the start of a life change.
I fell ill and it got to the point when, after many Doctors and Specialist visits, my GP sat me down and told me I would have to give up work. My life was turned upside down, and for several years, I was unable to do anything. I did not take kindly to this and was my own worst patient.
A couple of years ago, with my health improving, I picked up my camera and started to snap away. I bumped into our old family friend Photographer again, who saw my images and suggested I thought seriously about doing something in Photography. Encouraged by his advice, I purchased my first DSLR camera, applied to a stock agency, created a website and started my new career as a Professional Photographer.
I supply images to stock agents, which are used in Magazines, Books, Websites, Advertising etc.
I also sell fine art prints and an array of gifts, cards etc using my images.
If you are a business, looking to sell/promote your product, then I am able to help, I photograph products for businesses, which are used as advertising, or displaying your product on your website, brochures etc.
Please contact me via my website for more details; http://www.karenappleyard.com/contact