Online snapper draws a global audience with daily shots of local life

A PHOTOGRAPHER is attracting worldwide fans with his online photographic diary of images of Leek.

Brett Trafford, of Ladderedge, has created the 'blog' which features a new photograph of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands every day.

Since he launched the Leek Daily Photo on February 14, it has attracted more than 350 visitors from 29 different countries, including Malaysia, Guatemala and Brazil.

The 42 year old said: "I've created the blog for a pure love of the town. I have lived in the Moorlands all of my life and hope my photography will encourage more visitors to the area."

Photographs include a picturesque view over the Roaches, the old terraces on Britannia Street and Brett's favourite - the disused Talbot pub.

Brett's photography can be split into two main areas - landscape and wildlife, coupled with a focus on the subject rather than the technical skill of the photographer.

He began his career in photography when he studied at Leek College gaining an A Level in Graphic Technology.

Brett, who works in the call centre at Britannia Building Society in Leek, also found fame with his other online photographic blog of a wide variety of different photographs named "365 to 42." This has had more than 44,000 visitors to date with fans stretching as far and wide as the Vatican City and Cameroon.

Brett's third online venture is a step-by-step photography course with lessons in how to improve shots and get more enjoyment from photography.

Regarding the Leek Daily Photo, Brett added: "They are just random pictures, whatever catches my eye day to day. The blog shows different sides of the town not normally seen."

The popular site gives Brett's art a wider audience compared with that of a gallery exhibition. Fans comments include statements such as "wow" and "stunningly beautiful."

Brett's talent for photography has also been recognised by his employer and colleagues scooping the Britannia Art Award in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

After auctioning off the winning pieces, the proceeds from last years awards were split between the winners and chosen charity The Alzheimer's Society.

Helped by his wife Carolyn, also a photographer, Brett has taken photographs of everything from their pet dog to the wallabies at the Roches.

It took the couple 12 years to capture the wallabies and due to a conservation project, they weren't able to share the photos with the public until 2004.

Carolyn fully supports her husband's photographic website. She said: "We've always gone out together and supported each other. As for the blog, I doubt he'd put my photographs up. He wouldn't want the competition."

Brett hopes to create a calendar and a book once he has established his fans' favourite shots. He is also open for commissions and his work is available to buy from the website.