A ‘PICTURE-PERFECT’ Dorset photographer has scooped a prestigious award.

Karen Wiltshire, specialises in portraits of newborn babies, and it’s her striking images that caught the judges eye and bagged her the title of Photographer of the Year 2013 from the Guild of Photographers.

She was one of only 10 professional portrait photographers from across the UK and Europe who had been in contention for the title, which was announced at The Guild’s annual awards ceremony last month.

Mrs Wiltshire submitted portraits to the Guild for judging each month throughout 2013 and in total, she was given 35 either silver or gold awards in their monthly competitions.

The accumulative score she achieved as a result put her in contention for both the People’s Choice category and the accolade of Photographer of the Year.

At the awards ceremony she was announced as the winner of both prizes as a result of having had the highest scores overall.

Speaking about her Photographer of the Year award, Mrs Wiltshire said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been given this award. This has been a tough competition due to the high calibre of the work submitted by other Guild members, and I am humbled and extremely grateful for my work to have stood out, month after month, among such talent.”