SUDDENLY everything clicked for Nikki Bowling (above) of Haxby who ever since she took her BTech followed by Higher National Diploma in photography and design, had wanted to set up her own freelance business.

It all came true with a Prince's Trust loan of £2,000 which allowed her to buy a medium format camera and studio flashlights with enough left over to turn her garden shed into a light-sealed dark room and to advertise.

Now 26-year-old Nikki is constantly busy, in demand from various organisations, such as Bettys and Taylors tea rooms in Harrogate (designing in-house brochures and displays) as well as the Evening Press for whom she takes pictures for its society page, A Bit Of A Do.

And guess who will be calling the shots at the annual York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce dinner at York Racecourse on Thursday?

On top of this she is busy capturing images for public relations and advertising companies as well as having a busy schedule of weddings and portraits.

"I suppose I'm different because I offer a full photography and design package, allowing clients to employ one person rather than two for the job," she says, adding that her success has been due largely to the Prince's Trust which followed up the loan with advice.

"I have my own mentor, Ann Bass, who is in business herself and visits me on a regularly to offer help and advice and make sure that my books are up to date."

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, February 26, 2002