Karen Hope grew up on Merseyside and now lives in Bolton, Lancashire. She gained a BA(Hons) in Photography and Video at Bolton Institute (now the University of Bolton).

She has worked as a freelance photographer for the Southport Visiter, the Liverpool Echo and music and lifestyle magazines. She currently works for The Bolton News and lectures at Bolton Community College.

Exhibitions include 'Record Covers' at St Helens College in 2001, 'Icons - A Photographic Celebration of Kitsch' at the Clean Street Launderette, Bolton in 2002 and 'FANS' at Bolton Institute in 2003.