A FAMILY run photography company in Ystradgynlais has been named the best Welsh Newborn Photographer of the year.
Treasured Moments Photography, run by Rhian Whiteley and her husband Darren, won the title at the Masters of Photography Association’s regional awards, judged by Richard Bradbury, on Monday, June 25.
The photographers based on Brecon Road, who specialise in newborn and maternity photography, have three children and one two-year-old granddaughter with another grandchild on the way.
Darren, the photographer, and Rhian, the baby poser, opened their doors in 2008 with their first studio called New Age Photography.
Rhian said they received help from a Powys start up grant, youth charity The Prince’s Trust and close family to start the business.
She said: “It was a general photographic studio where we photographed everything from babies and children and to pets and so forth.
“Through hard work and dedication, the following year we were a finalist for the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Award. Over the years we found our true passion in photography was capturing maternity and newborns.
“In March 2015 we relaunched our studio as Treasured Moments Photography and the studio is now a maternity and newborn specialist.”
The photographers joined the Masters of Photography Association in March last year.
Rhian said that Darren achieved his licentiate in newborn photography and the studio was awarded a newborn safety certificate, which is currently only held by four photographers in Wales, last October.
Since October, the company has also won seven highly commended awards and two silver awards as they have entered photos into monthly competitions held by the association.
“Words cannot describe how proud we are feeling – we attended the MPA Regional awards and we have been awarded Welsh Newborn Photographer of the year”.
Rhian said: “What more can we say but thank you to everyone who has helped and supported us along the way.
“We hope you will keep on supporting us. We just love what we do and that day has to be one of the best days so far.”