After running businesses for two dec-ades, Tony O'Connell decided to take time out and "think about what I wanted to do when I grew up."

He decided to take up photography - and just 12 months after going professional he has won national recognition for his work and has an exhibition opening in Bradford this weekend.

Bradford-born Tony was delighted to become an Independent on Sunday/ Insight Guide Travel Photographer of the Year award after his images of Venice and Marrakech captured the judges' attention.

"I was speechless when they contacted me," says Tony. "I've never won anything in my own right before - winning £1,000 of photographic equipment was an added bonus."

He initiated and co-ran several businesses before taking up the camera as a career change.

"I started as a lorry driver way back and did the big overland trip' from Bradford through Europe and the Middle East in the late 1970s before spending some time in New Zealand and Australia where I ran an outdoor development business," says Tony.

After returning to England in the Eighties he worked for some years for Bradford Council before setting up a publishing business which developed into a software business.

"After 12 years, having sold the business, I took a year out to think about what I really wanted to do - and photography came out on top," he says.

Over the last year Tony's photographs have featured in a calendar for Friends of Peel Park (the proceeds funded brass band concerts over the summer), and in property development brochures.

He has also taken publicity shots for local theatre and music groups and exhibited at several events.

This month and next month his work is on show at BeDazzled 2007, an exhibition of contemporary crafts and visual arts at Yorkshire Craft Centre.

The exhibition features work by new graduates and established regional and national artists, showcasing a wide range of media including glass, textiles, ceramics, photography and jewellery.

Being an award-winning photographer isn't the only string to his bow. Tony's also a Division 1 canoeist and coach with Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club. "I canoe now better than I did in my teens," he says.

He's a director of Hangfast Ltd, a construction business that recently built a new canoe store with funding from the Sports England.

"I'm keen that there are good facilities for canoeists, especially since it's one of the sports we excel in at the Olympics, and we have some hopefuls in the club.

"We cater for all ages and the younger ones take great delight in trying to beat me," laughs Tony.

Now Tony, who runs photographic workshops, is looking forward to his next project documenting Venice Carnival. His photographs can be seen on www.tocpics.co.uk and www.ycc.bradfordcollege.

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  • Tony's work is on display at BeDazzled 2007 at the Yorkshire Craft Centre, part of Bradford College, on Carlton Street, off Great Horton Road, Bradford, from Monday to December 21. For more information ring (01274) 433334.