Well I've been blogging here for a while, but yet to do a "Meet the Artist" post.

So here I am, this is me.

What defines you as an artist?

Well, I'm a photographer, what sort, I'm not sure yet. I've dabbled in various different things. A bit of portrait work, event photography, product shots and fine art prints. I think I prefer fine art work and product photography. Basically things that don't move are a lot easier to photograph than things that need direction and have minds of their own, especially small ones ;-)

Where do you live?

I live in a large village about 10 minutes south east of Cambridge.

How does your place of residence influence your creativity?

To be honest I find it restricts me a little. We are a little short of beauty spots and things like public gardens etc where I live. As a major passion is flowers that makes it a little tricky. The M11 corridor is a very urban area and that is not where my passion lies. Cambridge itself is good for the history and beautiful architecture, but is heaving with tourists all year round. My heart is in the hills, which we are little short of around here. My ideal would be to live in Yorkshire (where I lived as a child), Cumbria or Scotland for their beautiful landscapes.

Having said that, there are some places I love. Our nearest National Trust property has some fantastic gardens that are ever changing, as well as the house itself, river, lakes and watermill.

What is the last thing you created?

Technically the last things I photographed were a rainbow which didn't come out very well and some kites at a kite festival, which was on a very dull day so the pictures weren't great. This picture was taken last week at a garden I discovered in Saffron Walden. I had heard friends talk about it, but had never been. A sunny day in half term leant itself well to an explore with the children. There were some beautiful flowers out, but I must go back when the rose garden is at its peak.

How did you get into what you do? Who inspires you?
I've always love photography. I also think I have always been quite artistic, but cannot draw or paint. I see pictures in my head, but am completely incapable of putting them on paper. Photography allows me to "see" things in my head and use the camera to create them.
My biggest inspiration I think is my Dad. He always has a camera in his hand and my love of photography comes directly from him. He is keen on the different and unusual and that is relected in my photography too.

What does the future hold?
The million dollar question. I would love to be able to make a good living from my photography. I would love for people to love my photographs as much as I do. It is such a buzz when someone enthuses about something you have created.
I would like to branch out to investigate other types of photography. At some point I would love to have the opportunity to do some reportage photography. Capturing an event or situation on "film", to record it for the world to see. At the moment that is a long way off. Skills and family commitments mean I am not able to follow this dream yet, but maybe one day. Who knows where my path will lead me!

Wendy Mayflower Photography. xx