A CHILDSWICKHAM-based photographer has had the lens turned on him after winning a string of awards in the British Institute of Professional Photography's Cotswolds region awards.

The awards saw Kevin Smith receive two silver awards, one bronze and two merits for his fine art horticultural and classical studio portraits of dogs.

The awards attracted entries by professional photographers throughout the Cotswolds. The images were assessed by a team of judges including Worcester photographer Bryn Griffiths, a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photographers, who said the quality of lighting on the dog portraits was stunning. He was accompanied by Chris Harper, chief executive of the BIPP.

The presentation was held at The Cheltenham Film Studios.

Mr Smith was delighted to gain the award. "I have been receiving as many commissions to photograph dogs as humans in the past year and I am really enjoying the challenge. Photographing dogs involves a completely different discipline and approach," he said.

"In order to get an insight into its unique personality it is essential to understand how dogs behave and get to know them. It's not just of matter of recording what the dog looks like, I aim to portray a 'look' that the owners will recognise and connect with."

The award winning fine art images are from an ongoing series of black and white plant portraits which aim to show a different side to plants. He rarely photograph them in flower.

The British Institute of professional photography is an internationally recognised qualifying organisation with over 100 years supporting and networking professional photographers. They have members worldwide, covering every discipline of photography.