A PHOTOGRAPHER from Essex has taken home, yet another, prestigious award.

Dan Sakal, of D&A Photography in Colchester, has been awarded the Essex Wedding Awards Photographer of the Year 2019 at a black tie ceremony last week.

Dan also beat hundreds of other photographers to the title of Wedding Industry Awards Photographer of the Year 2019 for the East of England.

Not only is this the second award he has won this year, but it is the second time in three years he has taken home both of these awards.

He said: "I was made up to win, I really didn’t think I would as there was some stiff competition but when D&A Photography was read out, I was blown away."

He is now a finalist for The Wedding Industry Awards, which is the most coveted and recognised industry award in the UK.

The prestigious event will take place in London this coming January where the winner will be crowned National Wedding Photographer of the Year 2019.

Dan added: "It would be absolutely amazing to win the national award as that is something I am working towards, however, nationally there are some absolutely incredible photographers so just to be amongst them in the final is special to me."

Dan, who attended Gosfield School and Colne College, shot his first wedding when he was just 13 years old.

"I started getting really into my photography around 12-13 years old, my school was super supportive of what I did and it really helped me start to find what I wanted to do.

"I had no idea that passion would turn into my career and allow me to set up my own business years later, which now enables me to travel both across the country and world shooting weddings and capturing those special moments.

"I had an awesome Art teacher at Gosfield School named Mrs Gwynne who I’ll never forget.

"She was really amazing and allowed me to follow my passion in my GCSE’s which really helped me find my feet."

"I love shooting weddings, I get a huge buzz from it and I hope that it never fades as I honestly can’t see myself doing anything else.

"Not everyone can say they are passionate about their job but I certainly am, so I feel extremely lucky that I found my calling.

"To win such a prestigious award like the The Wedding Industry Awards and Essex Wedding Awards in the same year is amazing, but like I always say, awards are nice, happy and satisfied couples are better.”