Khara Pringle has been blazing a trail in the world of photography for more than 17 years now.

The Co Down-based 30-something snapper has made a name for herself due to her ability to adapt to various disciplines ranging from fashion to advertising to portraiture to still life.

Her versatility and strong work ethic have made her one of Ulster's most sought after photographers and on February 1, she hosts her first exhibition at W5 in Belfast's Odyssey complex.

"This is going to be my first ever photography exhibition and I'm so nervous in case no-one turns up!" she giggles.

"It was hard when it came to deciding what would go into the art space and what wouldn't.

"I've got 50 images, three light boxes and I've only used photos from the last three years because I want this to be a good representation of what I can do now."

While some photographers harbour dreams of turning professional from a young age, Khara was a late bloomer and started snapping when she was 17.

Photography was in her blood however, as her grandfather was a war photographer during WWII.

"My grandfather was a great inspiration to me," says Dundalk-born Khara. "He died before I was born, but his worked lived on, and I was fascinated by it. When I first started out I was unsure of what type of photography I wanted to pursue.

"I think my first love is fashion photography, but I love it all. I love dealing with people and every day is different."

When Khara first began her career she moved to Dublin to study visual communications for five years. After a lot of hard work she became an assistant to fashion photographer Barry McCall and then with Chris Hill.

"It was so hard to get my foot in the door," she recalls. " Basically as an assistant I carried bags around for Barry and then Chris.

"At the time I was the only woman working in the industry and I found it hard to get people to take me on because they would look at me and think that I wouldn't be capable of carrying heavy bags.

"But thankfully I got my start and I learned a lot. It's weird though, because even to this day I don't see many women involved in this business. Hopefully that'll change in the future."

After 10 years working for Chris, Khara took the plunge and decided to start her own business in Northern Ireland in 2004. It was a move that paid off in a big way and she hasn't looked back.

"I think starting out on my own was something I needed to do," she says. "I needed to be free. When you work with someone else you become a bit reliant on them.

"I think I finally got the confidence in myself to make it on my own. I'm a total workaholic though! I get up at 6am and work all the way through until the night. Sometimes I can't stop myself."

In 2004 Khara married her boyfriend, Shaun. Both of them have chosen to work at home, with Khara working downstairs and her husband working upstairs.

It's an arrangement she relishes.

"Working from home is great," she says. "You don't have to deal with traffic and all of that stuff. I also keep a strict routine and I don't see my husband at all when it's from nine to five.

"Sometimes it can be hard to separate home from work though, but there are pros and cons with everything."

Over the years, Khara has photographed lots of different people in lots of situations.

She's snapped the likes of Paul Rankin and James Nesbitt as well as being the driving force behind popular ad campaigns and fashion shoots.

There is one specific shoot that will always stick out in her memory however, and that was the day she photographed the Ulster rugby team naked (all in the name of charity of course).

"I had so much fun doing that calendar shoot!" she laughs. " I got all my friends in to do the hair and make-up and we had a great time!

"I remember when I was first offered the job they showed me the French rugby team calendar. They told me they didn't want it to turn out like this because it was so pornographic, but mine turned out to be tasteful nudes and it was all for a good cause, after all. We had a great day."

With Khara's career continuing from strength to strength, it looks like the talented photographer will be in demand for some time to come.

With her eyes set firmly on the future, where does she see herself in five years?

"This might sound weird, but I put together a new portfolio every year, " she concludes. "I don't want to rest on my laurels and I always want to chase work.

"I think in five years time I would like to work for a bit in London. Getting an agent in London would be good, but I'd never leave Northern Ireland permanently. I love it here. I think in Northern Ireland you're free to be creative and not pigeon-holed and I wouldn't have it any other way."

€ Khara Pringle's exhibition Altered Images takes place at the W5 in the Odyssey from February 1 to March 17.