A former insurance broker has followed her life-long passion by opening a chic photography studio in the heart of north Chingford.

Nicky Bamber, 47, gave up her career as a broker and insurance underwriter when her daughter Alice, 14, and son, Joseph, 10, were born, but has been taking photographs of Chingford residents for over two decades as a hobby.

She has been freelancing for the past five years where she has built up a portfolio of images from managing play groups, attending schools and through volunteering at her parish church, St Peter and St Pauls in The Green, Chingford.

An opportunity arose for her to take over a shop inside the Village Arcade in Station Road, Chingford, so Mrs Bamber decided it was "now or never".

Her studio, Nicky Bamber Photography, offers family shoots, pre-school and teenage portraits and Mrs Bamber is also an accredited Masters Photographers Association (MPA) Cherubs photographer.

Mrs Bamber said she not could have got to this stage without the community.

She said: "I have had so much local support, I could not have done it without them.

"I've always wanted my own studio and now I'm living the dream.

"With the advancement of camera phones everyone can capture daily moments but people still want professional photos of their loved ones.

"I want to be the one who creates the lasting memory on the wall.

"The location is perfect - I am surrounded by independent shops whose owners have all realised their dream and are following their passions.

"The Village Arcade is a community in itself."

Mrs Bamber also holds photo shoots at The View in Rangers Road, Chingford.

To find out more about her work, visit www.nickybamber.co.uk