THRIVING in an economic downturn is all a question of understanding the big picture.

And no one understands that better than Rob Scott of Discerning Images, the photography business which recently moved into a stunning new studio on the Green Lane Trading Estate, in Clifton, York.

The business has become so successful, with turnover doubling for 2008/09, increasing its employees from two to three and tackling 40 weddings alone this year (with another dozen booked for 2010) that Rob is seeking the Small Business Of The Year title in The Press Business Awards 2009.

The new studio – an investment in the middle of the recession – is a perfect base to carry out portrait, commercial and model photography. Only last week its art studio, with plasma screens and video viewing facilities, was used by Rob to capture glossy images of glamorous models in an assignment for Vogue Magazine and also to take shots of Voulez Vous, the Abba tribute band.

The company has also launched a new website, offering an online shop and online album facility for private viewing by wedding guests, together with a range of photographic gifts.

Though still working primarily in the York area, it has picked up wedding commissions from as far away as Cyprus.