A PHOTOGRAPHER from Yate has earned national recognition after winning two awards for her work at the Safari Photographer of the Year competition.

Anna-Marie Coster, from Yate, won the “Wildlife in Colour” category, with her photograph of a Sumatran Tiger, and also came runner-up in the “Wildlife in Black and White” category with her picture of a Dhole.

A third image entered by Miss Coster, a specialist in wildlife, portrait and pet photography, also made it through to the final round, having already made it through three rounds of judging.

Miss Coster learned that she had won over more than 500 other entries at an awards evening on January 8, hosted by the West Midland Safari Park, as an exhibition of the winners’ work was unveiled.

She said: “I am thrilled to win this award and gain recognition for my wildlife photography as I am so passionate about it.

“I never expected to get through the first stage so to be chosen as winner and runner up in two categories is quite an achievement.

“It is very exciting to have made the finals with three of my images and to have them exhibited at the Safari Park for visitors to see. I absolutely love it there and I feel very proud to have my photographs on display.”

Competition organiser Caroline Richards, head of Learning at the safari park said: “We were thrilled by the quality of the photographs entered into the Safari Photographer of the Year competition in 2015, and would like to congratulate everyone who entered.

“Miss Coster had three of her photographs shortlisted to be shown in the exhibition and the judges were impressed by both the compositions and the clarity of detail in her close up images.

“She was awarded the runner up for ‘Wildlife in Black and White’ with her stunning dhole portrait and was the winner of the ‘Wildlife in Colour’ category with her beautiful Sumatran tiger photo.

“Miss Coster’s prizes included an Annual Pass to allow her to visit as often as she likes during 2016, and we hope to see many more entries from her in this year’s competition.”

To see more of Anna-Maries photography, visit www.photographybyannamarie.co.uk.