A photographer has been shortlisted in The UK Wedding Awards - and now needs your help.

Julie Michaelsen from Kensington is one of a dozen snappers hoping to win the Best UK Wedding Photographer category after her work was selected from hundreds of entries from across the country.

The awards celebrates all aspects of the wedding industry, with 23 categories from venues to dresses, jewellery and honeymoons.

A public vote which closes on February 11 will now decide the winners of each category, and Ms Michaelson said she’d be delighted to win.

She said: “I left a full-time working for a hedge fund in Mayfair two years ago. I was shooting a bit on the side before that but then I went full time.

"People at the hedge fund thought I was crazy because of the money I’d be giving up. They laughed, they couldn’t believe it when I handed in my notice.”

An example of wedding photographer Julie Michaelsen's work

The 30-year-old from Bedford Gardens was shortlisted by panel of industry experts and said it meant to world to be listed.

“I was incredibly surprised to be shortlisted," she said. "I’m a newby by anyone’s standards - the other people shortlisted are serious industry heavyweights. It’s very exciting and I’m honoured.

“It’s a validation from my peers and editors who create trends and set agendas. It’s nice to know that they know me.

“It would mean everything to win. I’m used to working with other people who praise you if your work is good. When you’re on your own its hard because you don’t know if you’re doing the right thing.

"But this shows me I’m on my way and it would be an honour to win.”

To vote for Julie go to theukweddingawards.com/vote . Every person that votes will be entered in to a prize draw for the chance to win an all-inclusive seven night break for two to Cancun, Mexico.