Maria Leekblade DPAGB AFIAP LRPS

Maria has lived in the forest for nearly 20 years and her love of photography started with her animals. She developed her skills as an adult learner at Brockenhurst College and by being an active member of Lymington, Southampton and Winchester Camera Clubs. She achieved her Licenciateship of the Royal Photographic Society in 2016, her Artiste Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique in 2017, and her Distiction Photographic Alliance of Great Britian in 2018 - all internationally recognised photographic accreditations. Maria is also one of the team that runs the Southampton International Exhibition of Photography, now in its 106th year and it is one of the most prestigious Salons of Photography in the world, attracting over 10,000 entries from 60 countries. A yearly exhibition at West Quay Southampton shopping centre showcases the very best photographic images from all over the world. However, Maria's heart lies at home - her animals are always a firm favourite and the local landscape, people, flora & fauna that share our stunning Forest will always be her first love, and being able to capture them remains the motivation and pleasure for picking up the camera.