My first proper camera had no battery and no focusing feature and I had to measure the distance to my subject and figure out a light meter! Once I got my first SLR with auto everything, I became a keen photographer but soon left the Auto button behind … I sometimes use it but it’s mentally labelled FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY! I loved to create travel journals and photo albums (remember photo- corners haha!) I learned Photoshop back in the ‘90s but still there is loads I don’t use/know. I joined Wolverhampton Photographic Society four years ago and have made some great friends - it is a very welcoming club. Thanks to several members of WPS, who gave me so much encouragement and support, I started my photography business, Carol Bailey Photography, just over two years ago and I am so loving my job! But there is a huge difference between taking a picture for someone and taking a picture of someone. That has been a steep learning curve for me. Now, my main focus is portraits; from ballerinas to sports stars and from CEOs to stage performers. I love to capture the essence of the person and to reflect the joy of performing that comes from years of dedication to develop their skills. I hope to do more travel photography and motorsport, which is a shared interest both for me and my husband, and with the family grown-up now we don’t have to go in school holidays anymore - Yay! I am proud to be part of the Club’s mission to encourage young artists in the City with our Wolverhampton Young Photographer Competition. This is its third year now (2018), and we’re going from strength to strength. At WPS, I’m currently the Membership and Social Secretary and am very much enjoying that role. www.carolbaileyphotography.co.uk