A PHOTOGRAPHER from Childswickham has snapped up two titles at the British Institute of Professional Photography's regional annual photographic awards.

Kevin Smith, from Childswickham, triumphed in the portrait photography categories by winning first place in both the Portrait Category and the Under 5's portraiture category with black and white portraits of children.

The 56-year-old, who owns Cotswold Portrait Studios with his wife Andrea, entered the awards which are a professional competition entered by photographers from all over the Midlands.

Leading photographers Bryn Griffiths and Kevin Pengelly judged the awards and presented the winners at the Lea Marston Hotel near Sutton Coldfield.

Mr Smith said he was delighted to win the prestigious awards against stiff competition and for the second year running in the Under 5's portrait category.

He said: "I am so pleased to win both the portrait trophies this year. I work with my wife Anthea and while we make the process a lot of fun, it can be challenging to capture true personality of our subjects and at the same time produce high quality well-lit portraits. It is very rewarding therefore to have my work recognised by my peers."

The winning under five's portrait was of Hannah Walters of Badsey, while the winning portrait category image, of Treeve Treloar from Cornwall, was photographed outdoors in a barn doorway.

In addition to winning the portrait trophies, Mr Smith also received two merits and a first merit for fine art photography of plants and flowers.