photographers Andy Hopkinson and Sharon Malone, pictured, don't have to look too hard for good omens now that they have entered The Press Business Of The Year 2007.

Their venture, FNS Photography of Boroughbridge, which is pitching for the Small Business Of The Year title, has scooped no fewer than 18 awards in the latest Master Photographers Association's annual competition to find Yorkshire's top imagemakers.

Andy took first, second and third place as Family Portrait Photographer Of The Year - a feat never before achieved.

He also trounced the competition by becoming the Most Promising Photographer Of The Year and snapped up third place in both the Avant Garde Wedding Photographer Of The Year category and the Fashion and Glamour Group. He was runner-up in the Avant Garde Portrait Photographer Of The year category, achieved a merit for his Classical Portrait entry and two merits for his Events images.

At the same time, his partner, Sharon, triumphed as the Avant Garde Portrait Photographer Of The Year and was runner-up in the Avante Garde Wedding Photographer Of The Year group.

She picked up two merits for the Fashion And Glamour class, plus merits in Avant Garde Portrait, Commercial and Advertising, Mother and Child and Most Promising Photographer groups.

The couple first began the venture in July 2004 at home, later moving to premises in the grounds of Heaton House, as a combined photography and floristry service, trading under the name Flash 'n' Scents, then shortening it to its initials, FNS.

Supported by a Business Link technology grant to create a website, the business has grown steadily, with an expected loss in the first year because of the high cost of equipping the business.

By the second year, it was in profit. This year, the turnover is expected to be about £70,000.