A PORTLAND photographer has created a calendar to capture the island’s natural beauty.

‘For the Love of Portland’ is postman Gerry White’s first foray into the world of professional photography following on from his solo exhibition in the Aqua Café, Castletown, earlier this year.

The twelve brightly coloured images, which make up the 2018 wall calendar, focus on natural landscapes and the night sky of Portland.

Gerry, 50, spoke to the Echo back in February, prior to the launch of his Dorset Moods exhibition, and said that was the starting point to a year “far beyond anything I could have hoped for.”

Since the month-long exhibition turned into a permanent installation Gerry has been selling his work both locally and nationally which inspired him to create the calendar.

He said: “I’ve only just had it back from the printers and I have been overwhelmed by people’s interest. I have already sold out of by first print run and have received many orders from locals and abroad.”

The self-taught photographer said making Portland his niche has helped him stand out against the Dorset-wide competition.

“I live here and I love the place,” Gerry said. “I realised that you have to capture something a little bit different from what other people are doing to make you stand out.”

Gerry has learnt his trade over the past five years with the aid of Portland Camera Club in which he was voted photographer of the year.

Last year he also claimed first prize on an international photography website as well as claiming the Bob Ellis cup for his skills at the Dorset County Show.

He said: “The hard bit is trying to juggle all the new aspects of the work alongside my job and not compromising how much time I get to spend out with my camera.”

The calendar has so far been ordered by people from Australia and armed forces in Afghanistan with others currently making their way to Lester and Inverness.

Gerry said: "People that used to live on the island or have visited family here really seem to take to it. The thing for me is when I show it to people and watch them look look through it and their face light up, that is the best feeling."

'For the Love of Portland’ 2018 calendar is currently available in the Portland Bill lighthouse. Or online at www.gerrywhitephotography.com, or email via gerrywhitephotos@yahoo.com