Pembrokeshire-based photographer Ross Grieve has won a top prize in a major national and international photography award ceremony.

Celebrating the Masters of Photography, the annual Master Photographers Association (MPA) Awards welcomed some of the greatest photography talents in a glittering awards ceremony on Sunday.

Bringing the photographic industry together, with unprecedented awards, the Master Photography Awards is the most anticipated event in the professional photographic calendar. Judges from across the globe selected a record number of nominees this year, which reflected the high standard of photography entered into the awards. The MPA annual awards celebrate the Masters of International Photography.

Ross won the UK Pets in the 2016/17 Master Photography Awards. Ross beat-off stiff competition to scoop his prize, with other leading photographers from across the UK and overseas all striving for recognition in the awards.

Professional photographers from around the world were joined by representatives from the major photographic companies and trade, with other knowledgeable industry observers keenly attending the awards ceremony, held at the Hinckley Island Hotel.

Ross, whose studio is based in Cresselly, also picked up two awards of excellence and two merits to add to his outstanding achievement.

The awards, run by the Master Photographers Association (the MPA), is one of the most prestigious within the photographic profession, both in the UK and overseas. Membership of the association is restricted to professional photographers who must qualify to the minimum required licentiateship standard. The organisation, a not for profit, exists to promote and maintain standards of photographic excellence within the photographic industry.

Clare Louise, CEO of the MPA, commented: “The standard of photography we have seen this year is world class, and a privilege to judge. It was exciting to see new faces coming through and rewarding to see such great talent upholding previous years’ titles. With entrants both UK and worldwide, our winners really are the masters of their craft. It is an absolute honour to showcase imagery of such high standard and we are really proud to represent some of the best image makers globally.”