A PHOTOGRAPHER from the New Forest flew halfway across the world to capture an incredible photo which has earned her an award.

Hang Ross, who is a member of the Daily Echo’s Camera Club on Facebook, won the People’s Choice award at the British Photography Awards after being shortlisted in the architecture category.

Hang, who lives in Lyndhurst, wowed with her stunning image of Mount Fuji in Japan captured during cherry blossom season.

(Image: Hang Ross)

She said: “Having travelled to Japan for the autumn fall and changing colours of the Japanese acer previously, we had dreamed to travel and see the Sakura cherry blossom specifically around Mount Fuji.

“We went out there together in March only to find blossom was two weeks behind forecast and only a few of the trees had blossomed. Hence (I) flew home with a handful of photos.

“We then went to France with our son for Easter, but having got back from France I had managed to scrape together enough air miles to jump on a flight back to Tokyo.

“On landing I hired a car and drove more than two hours directly to Fuji and climbed the steep stairs of the temple for that evening’s sun set.

“It was amazing. The blossom was finished within three days due to rain and wind but it was so beautiful and worth lack of sleep and effort.”

Hang attended the awards in London on November 4 where her image was shortlisted in the top 25 images in the architecture category and went on to win the People’s Choice award in the category.

She said: “This is such a credible award, recognising photographers for their works across 20 different genre categories of photography, with over 25 thousand images entered and judged by professional peers."

“It was an amazing day so many beautiful and deep photos and stories behind them. Also emotional with presentation from the war photographer who has dedicated his talent to documenting those events he shared. "

The British Photography Awards also raise money for charities and this year helped raise more than £20,000 and more than £250,000 to date over the eight years it has been running.

Hang added: “My selected charity was the Breast Cancer Haven, a worthwhile cause and something my dearest friend that are sadly no longer with us would appreciate.”