AN amateur photographer has been given the highest possible honour for his stunning portfolio of images.

Roy Essery, 69, has been given the Masters award from the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain for his pictures of people and places.

Despite his obvious talents, Mr Essery, who lives in Highwoods, Colchester, only took up photography in 2003 after being a keen fisherman since childhood.

After originally starting watercolour classes along with his wife Frances, he realised he lacked finesse with a brush in hand and was persuaded to begin a Saturday morning photography course at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Barrack Street.

Retired construction worker Mr Essery said: “In some ways I am still a new kid on the block in terms of photography.

“I did the Saturday morning course for a year and absolutely loved it and it became a way to express myself.”

Mr Essery then joined the Colchester Photographic Society, then the Ipswich and District Photographic Society and even helped to found the Suffolk Monochrome Group such was his passion for snapping.

In order to receive his masters award, he add to submit a package of 20 photographs to a panel of expert judges who were impressed with his collection which mainly includes people he has seen or met.

Mr Essery added: “I am very drawn to people and I think I can see a good photograph in everybody’s face.

“Just from the face you can create an idea about how they are and you can look at their clothes and have a guess about what their social life is like.

“I also like to talk to people and have no problem with stopping people in the street and asking them if I can photograph them.

“I once did it to somebody in the Tesco store and they allowed me to photography them the next day and finding out their story was amazing.

“I am absolutely delighted to have won the award.”