A NEWPORT wedding photographer has been named the 'Best Regional Photographer' at The Welsh National Wedding Awards.

Nick Murray, of Rogerstone, was delighted to be awarded the accolade at the official ceremony hosted by JR Events Holland House in Cardiff on November 24.

Considered the Academy Awards of the wedding industry, the third year of The National Wedding Awards saw 600 guests from all over Wales, attend the black tie ceremony.

Mr Murray who has been in the industry for six years, was awarded the title of 'Best Regional Photographer' for the whole of Cardiff, Newport; Monmouthshire; Blaenau Gwent; Torfaen; Caerphilly and The Vale, and was judged to be one of the top five wedding photographers in the whole country.

The father of two who attended the award ceremony with his wife Theresa Murray also scooped the title of Photographer of the Year at the V Awards 2013 for the second year running.

Mr Murray said: “According to the awards panel, I'm now considered one of the top five wedding photographers in the whole of the country which is pretty exciting, but extremely humbling.

“2013 has been my busiest ever year, with next year much the same.

“I've had the privilege to work with some of the coolest, kindest, loveliest people in the whole of Wales, and to win the awards has rounded off what has been a fantastically creative and successful year for me.

“I'm very excited about next year and how I can take my photography to the next level.”

Mr Murray, a former graphic designer, decided to make a career out of photography when he was shot his sister-in-law’s wedding and was asked to cover another couples wedding.

The wedding and life style portrait artist was first nominated for The Welsh National Wedding Awards last year and was delighted to be nominated for a second time this year.

“It was a complete surprise," he said.

“One of the things about the awards is that they ask my past clients if they had a good experience with my work and they also do things like have secret customers- so its not just based on votes.

“It was a big black tie event in Cardiff with a sit-down dinner and around 600 people there-it’s like the wedding Oscars!”

Mr Murray added: “Being able to express your creativity in your work is not only a dream job, but for others to appreciate it too makes every wedding I shoot, an absolute joy.

“It's an extremely humbling experience.”

You can see Nick's award winning wedding photography at www.nickmurrayphotography.co.uk

Photo credit is 'Purecreations Photography'