Having picked up numerous merit awards during the past year, Martina gained the titles of best photographer in the categories of Fine Art, Pictorial and Wildlife at this month's annual convention of the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers). In addition, she took third place in the category of SWPP UK best overall photographer.

The five-day convention was attended by around 8000 photographers, speakers and exhibitors from 21 countries. Due to family commitments Martina was unable to attend the awards dinner, at which TV presenter Philippa Forrester was a guest host.

However, John Baikie, himself an award-winning Caithness photographer, accepted Martina's awards on her behalf.

"I was very proud to be asked to go up to accept Martina's awards at the SWPP convention," said Thurso-based John, who achieved his SWPP associateship last year and was a speaker at this year's event. "I have followed her work for a couple of years and have become a friend and an admirer of her work.

"The atmosphere and mood in her landscape and fine art work is very strong and I love this style. I was a competition judge this year and can appreciate just how good her images are.

"It's so pleasing to see another Caithness photographer winning national awards, and it shows how living in a remote area doesn't affect someone's ability to compete at the highest level. I have been encouraging Martina to enter competitions and go for her qualifications, so I am delighted for her."

Martina (38), who is originally from Germany, was "absolutely gobsmacked" when she discovered that she had won not one but four sought-after awards.

"I was secretly hoping for one award and kept all my fingers and toes crossed," she said. "When John told me that I had won four awards, I was over the moon.

"This is a phenomenal success for me which I hardly thought would be possible. I would like to thank John for doing me the honour of accepting the awards on my behalf."

Martina added: "This success will be hard to follow up, but I will try my best this year to put Caithness on the photographic map again.

"I love Caithness and the rest of the North and I try to show that in my work."

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