Last updated at 09:41, Tuesday, 05 March 2013

Carlisle-based wedding photographer Andrew Coleman is among the best in the country.

Andrew Coleman receives his award from Lesley Ann Thirsk

He received a Top Ten award in the weddings category of the Guild of Photographers’ Photographer of the Year competition.

Mr Coleman, 36, runs Picture U in London Road with his wife Joanna.

He said he was “gobsmacked” to make the final 10 of a competition that attracts entries from all over the UK and as far away as Hong Kong.

Photographers submit an average of three images each month for a year, which are assessed and given points by a judging panel. The 10 with the highest scores receive the Top Ten award.

Steve Thirsk, one of the directors of the guild, said:“For anyone to achieve a Top Ten award following such a demanding and highly-contested judging process is remarkable.

“Andrew Coleman is clearly a very talented photographer.”

The guild was established in 1988 to support photographers and uphold professional standards.

Mr Coleman, previously a part-time photographer, set up Picture U after being made redundant from his job as a bus driver.

First published at 09:40, Tuesday, 05 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk