SNAP happy Stephen Redfern has been exposed as one of the North West's top photographers after being told at college he would never make it.

Self-employed Stephen (36) has gained a much coveted certificate of merit from The Master Photographers' Association (MPA) for the north west region for his reportage-style work.

Stephen, who lives in Higher Summerseat, said: "It is the first time I have entered my work in an exhibition. In the past I have been reluctant to exhibit my work because, like most people, I am very critical of my own work. But this time I thought I would give it a go.

"Only three photographers received certificates for their work in this category which in effect makes me one of the three best photographers in the North West.

"Being awarded a certificate such as this is really an achievement of which I am very proud."

Avant-garde style wedding photographs earned Stephen the accolade. He explained: "I call my style reportage, which is completely the opposite to the classic set-up poses often seen in wedding albums. My idea is to capture the whole atmosphere and experience of the day on film."

His contemporary style has attracted the attentions of glossy magazine Cosmopolitan which has approached him with a view to doing a feature on his work. And despite attracting clients from as far away as Las Vegas, Stephen admits success hasn't come easy.

He left Tottington High School with few qualifications and his ambition was sneered at by a senior college lecturer who told him to give up his ideas.

"He told me that I would never make it as a photographer," said Stephen. "I will never forget those words and I was determined to prove him wrong. I worked harder and harder and refused to give up everytime I got a knock back."

Stephen now holds licentiate status in the MPA, making him one of only 1,200 holders worldwide.

After leaving Peel College in Bury, he worked in Manchester as a camera salesman before embarking on a photography course at Tameside College, where he was named student of the year.

It was during his college years that Stephen had his first photograph published, on the front page of the Bury Times.

He explained: "I was 19, and found out my pin-up back then Sam Fox was coming to Bury to present a bingo winner with a cheque. That was it! I picked up my camera, went up to security and pretended I was from the Press and took the picture Which the Bury Times printed."

After working with other photographers, Stephen decided to go it alone five years ago. Today he works from home where he has a purpose-built studio.

His next ambition is to photograph the extravagant, expensive weddings of top footballers. But he admitted he also harbours desires to join the paparazzi or even become a war photographer.

An MPA spokesman confirmed that gaining the certificate classed Stephen as one of the top photographers in the North West region.