JUST three months ago, Newport man Stefan Edwards was living in the dust and danger of Iraq, providing security for those trying to rebuild the war-torn country.

Now, his work could not be more different - sharing in many people's happiest day by becoming a wedding photographer.

The 47-year-old served as a soldier in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Egypt during the 1980s as a private in the Queen’s Regiment and went on to work as a security guard and store detective across South Wales in the 1990s.

In 2003, Mr Edwards rejoined the British army and spent six months in Iraq, then, a year later, returned to Iraq as an intelligence analyst for the US defence department, through London-based Aegis Defence Services.

He spent five years assessing risks across the country and photographed routes, buildings and also the schools and hospitals that were being rebuilt as part of his work.

Some of the people he met in Iraq were killed or seriously injured while he was out there and he was in constant danger.

"I’ve been shot at and had rockets fired at me," he said.

But he also saw a different side of Iraq.

Mr Edwards added: "People over here only get to see one aspect of Iraq on the news, but the majority of people over there are very, very nice and extremely hospitable.

"I lost an awful lot of friends out there though and it doesn’t make up for that."

He returned to Newport two months ago, after deciding he wanted a career change and to spend more time with his wife, Tina, 44, son Owen, 19, and daughter Lucy, 14.

He had a ten feet by 17 feet photography studio built in the back garden of his Llanmartin home, with specialised lighting, backdrops, computer equipment and an archive to store all his work for up to three years.

He is now in the process of launching Oakfield Photography, through which he is photographing weddings, family portraits, landscapes and wildlife.

Mr Edwards has always been passionate about photography and now hopes to fulfil his dream by making it into a career.

He has also offered to photograph Newport bride-to-be Tracy Thomas' wedding for free after hearing about her losing out on her dream dress when Always and Forever went under and she lost £854.

For more information, visit oakfieldphotography.co.uk