AFTER nearly being forced to close down her business a local photographer has gone on to win a series of awards.

Katrina Dimech, who runs Shutter Hire on Windsor Road, had thousands of pounds worth of camera kit stolen from her car in August this year.

Mum-of-one Katrina appealed in the Penarth Times for her kit to be returned, and was faced with the prospect of losing her business as she couldn’t afford to replace the cameras, lenses and other equipment.

But after some of the kit was returned she has got back to work, business has picked up, and she has gone on to win seven bronze ‘Image of the Month’ awards from The Guild of Photographers.

“It was quite difficult to get back on my feet,” she said.

“I had lots of support from friends and family, but I nearly closed the business and it made me wonder if it was worth it.”

She added that she won her first award at the third attempt and hadn’t looked back since.

“I enter the competition every month in the hope to receive constructive advice on how to better my performance and I'm thrilled that my hard work and perseverance has paid off.”

Katrina, who opened her studio near Cogan railway station earlier this year, added: “Photography started off as my hobby and now it’s my career. I’m doing something that I love.”