A PHOTOGRAPHER who has become a regular at Luctonians has been nominated for a prestigious national award.

Nigel Mee has been named as a finalists in the Rugby Photographer of the Year Awards in the portfolio category.

Ten of his pictures will be assessed by a judging panel before the winner of each category is announced on June 23 on the Rugby Journal social media channels.

"I was a bit surprised as I thought that I hadn't made it into the shortlist," said Nigel.

"There are pictures in Africa and different places and they are really high quality. Then I had an email stating I had been selected as a finalist in a portfolio category, I was quite gobsmacked."

Nigel started his photography hobby after his wife bought him a camera to take some rallying pictures, after taking a break from the sport.

After his twin boys had starting playing rugby at Luctonians, Nigel went along to take some pictures of them in action.

He has gone on to take first team pictures which are regularly published as part of the Luctonians coverage in the Hereford Times.

"At the time Greg Halligan at the club wanted to do video of first team matches so I started doing the photography," added Nigel.

"I started with a cheap as chips camera and then enrolled in a photography course at the college.

"I had help off the people there and then taught myself by watching videos on Google about tracking and focusing for sports.

"I absolutely love it and also joined Leominster Photography Club."

Nigel has been out of action this season after suffering a crash while in a rally car during an event.

However, after making a recovery he is already preparing for to take more pictures when the rugby season commences.

"I also take a couple of pictures of my boys playing football, but I favour the rugby," Nigel added.

"You can get some cracking photos of rugby matches and I also love photographing the rally cars."