A photographer's seductive shot of his wife's legs surrounded by white feathers has won a national award.

Robin Smart, who runs Smart Photography with wife Anna in Bampton, was named Boudoir Photographer of the Year for the creative image, which at first glance looks like a swan.

The Master Photographers Association (MPA), the qualifying body for professional photographers, awarded him the top prize at its virtual central region awards.

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The award recognizes excellence in imagery for boudoir photography, a style named after the French word for a woman's private sitting room or salon.

Typically capturing intimate images of women in lingerie, such photography often features non-models and is seen as a way to improve body confidence.

Oxford Mail:

'Feathers' by Robin Smart

Mr Smart, the company's creative director, said: “I’m really excited to have won the award. The standard of entries is so high every year, and I was taken aback by the positive recognition from the judge.”

Sue Kaye, MPA President and judge praised the image, saying it was something she had never seen before.

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She added: "You've been obviously incredibly discreet with not just the posing, but also with the handling of the lights. I think you've got all the shadows in exactly the right places and I love the purple background."

She continued: "I think it's a very, very clever idea, well done. It's a cracking image, it's really really good."

The winning image of Mrs Smart was created using feather fans from a specialist burlesque supplier, which only arrived at the company after lockdown had started.

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Boudoir Photographer of the Year award, and Mr Smart's two MPA merit awards

He said: “Although we haven’t been able to work during lockdown, it’s been good to have the opportunity to play with creative ideas, and make images just ‘because’. This shot worked beautifully.”

Mrs Smart, whose role in the business is described as 'confidence booster-in-chief' said the fans made her feel like burlesque dancer Dita von Teese and they were 'so glamorous'.

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The husband and wife team at Smart Photography specialise in boudoir, which they describe as 'confidence boosting portraits for women'.

Based in Witney for more than 15 years, they have recently moved to a new Bampton studio.

Their previous awards include a WOBA (West Oxfordshire Business Awards) in 2015.

Mr Smart also received two additional merits from the MPA.

The business is taking bookings now for October onwards.

Visit smartphotography.co.uk.