A MOTHER from Okehampton has received a prestigious award in a national photography competition for her images of new-born babies.

Lucy Wilson, a working mother-of-two, has been chosen as the winner of a bronze award in the Photographer’s Guild Image of the Month competition.

The competition involved photographers submitting images which were then assessed by a full panel of experienced judges who graded them in accordance with international judging criteria.

The highest scoring images are awarded a bronze, silver, gold or platinum award.

Lucy, who specialises in new-born photography, won her award for a close-up picture of a blue-eyed infant.

Lucy said: ‘After just over a year of entering the online competition, I was so excited and proud to know I have finally developed my skills enough to receive an award with one of the world’s leading photography associations.

‘I did feel a little tearful when I found out. Knowing my work has been judged alongside so many world renowned photographers is very exciting and such a boost to know my style is heading in the right direction.

‘I have had a passion for photography from a very early age, in March 2014, after the arrival of my second child, I decided to try newborn photography after seeing its ever-growing popularity. My son William was my first subject, followed by a few other willing friends new arrivals.

‘I truly love working with families in their homes to create their images. I find it so rewarding when I can calm a new baby and position them into each setup, and receive so much trust that new parents feel they can sit back and relax.

‘I find creating this bond with families, to care for their most precious new arrival in their exhausting and overwhelming time of becoming a new parent, such an honour.’