A BROADWAY-based photographer has enjoyed a double win in the British Institute of Professional Photography’s regional annual photographic awards.

Kevin Smith, who runs Cotswold Portrait Studios, in Perrins Farm, Childswickham, beat off stiff competition to win both Portrait Photography categories at the event in Lea Marston Hotel near Sutton Coldfield.

He was crowned champion in the Portrait Category and the Under five's portraiture category with his black and white portraits of children.

The awards, entered by professional photographers from all over the Midlands were judged by leading UK photographers Bryn Griffiths FBIPP and Kevin Pengelly FBIPP.

This is the second year running Mr Smith has won the Under five's portrait category and he said he was delighted.

"I am so pleased to win both the portrait trophies this year", he said. "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."

His winning under five's portrait was a studio photograph 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.