FORMER beauty pageant contestant Harriet Letheren has swapped position to go behind the camera lens.

Miss Letheren has forged a successful career in photography and has now moved her business to a studio at Coate, near Devizes.

The 24-year-old set up TwirlyGirlPhotography three years ago and is self taught.

She said: “I took the odd selfie when I was competing in beauty pageants and I always enjoyed being around cameras and seeing how photographers work.

“After I retired I became more interested in photography and I learned how to do it by trial and error and getting information off the internet. With photography you have either got the eye for it or not.”

Miss Letheren, who lives in Calne and was previously manager of the Phones 4 U store in Chippenham, works mainly with newborn babies, children and weddings.

The former Devizes School pupil competed in beauty pageants from the age of 17 until she became pregnant with her daughter, Gracie, now 18 months old. She won Miss Wiltshire and Miss Chippenham and reached the semi-finals of Miss England.

When she began her photography business she did photoshoots either at her home or on location but said her new studio is perfectly situated.

It is a business unit at The Old Dairy, Manor Farm, Coate. She and her mother, Kerry Gover, also of Calne, also run their other business from there. PinkBox Boutique sells products including scarves, bags and jewellery.

Miss Letheren said: “We fell in love with the place and it’s really good fun working with my mum. The farm has chickens, geese and ducks roaming around which children love to see. As well as doing photo shoots in the studio we can also work outside in the stunning grounds. My clients love it.”