AN OTLEY photographer is celebrating reaching the final of a national competition.

Helen Walker's shot of her son, Bradley Walker, standing in a Leeds street has earned her a place in the last stage of the Guild of Photographers Image of the Year contest.

Hers is one of just 12 images that have been selected, and printed, to be judged at the finals in December with the results due to be announced at an awards night in Cheshire on February 3.

Entitled Soul, it was chosen from thousands - about 1,200 entries are made each month - of photographs that were submitted to the Guild's monthly, online competition over the past year.

Helen, who won the Pet category of the 2016 competition, said: "I’m delighted to be included as one of this year’s finalists.

"The Image of the Month competition has really helped me improve my skills and the awards are very hotly contested.

"My image is an urban shot, one of my son shot very early in Leeds city centre on a very cold morning.

"This is the third year running I’ve managed to get an image shortlisted, and last year I was lucky enough to win overall Pet Image of the Year with my shot of my cat and dog.

"I seem to be keeping it in the family!"

Helen is a GP in Silsden and does photography part-time, focusing on portraits and creative images.

She has also produced two charity calendars featuring shots of the staff from Silsden and Steeton Medical Practice.

Guild of Photographers Director Lesley Thirsk said: "One of the Guild’s aims is to drive standards and creativity amongst photographers.

"Our monthly competition certainly does that, for the standard of the entries we see each month is quite staggering.

"To have an image recognised by the Guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough, so to have an image selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year Final is without doubt an incredible achievement, and shows just how talented a photographer Helen is."

More examples of Helen's work can be found at helenwalkerphotography.com , while information about the Guild and its competitions is available at photoguild.co.uk .