STUDIO Southwest's photographer, Bob Willingham of  Bude, has been awarded the British Institute of Professional Photography title of 'Regional Photographer of the Year 2009.'

Bob won two of the photographic categories, Pet and Illustrative and secured a second in the Fashion, which gave him the upper hand against the regions' best. The winning shot of two Alaskan Malamute dogs taken in his studio was a clear winner of the Pet Category whilst his shot of a Pilot Gig Boat in the foreground of St Michael's Mount had stiff competition but was awarded first place from the three judges.

Chris Harper and Llewellyn Robins, head judge, awarded Bob with his winner's trophy at the BIPP Regional awards night in Bristol.

Bob said: "I won the Journalistic category last year and was really delighted and honoured, but to win two categories is unbelievable and I nearly made it three! This is great news and is a really fantastic endorsement of my style of family photography."

Bob opened Studio Southwest, a photographic studio in Bude, last year and has been providing a photographic service to local businesses, organisations and families keen to capture the milestone ages and events.