The Largs woman, who runs Candice Campbell Photography, was awarded a silver distinction in the Australian Institute of Professional Photography state awards for her image of a bride and groom snacking on an ice cream.

But what made the shot was a stranger in the background, whose dress blew up as she reached for her vanilla cone.

“It was a completely unscripted moment,” Ms King said.

“We pulled over to get some air and ice cream as it was a super windy, 46-degree day.

“While we waited for the woman in the red dress to get her ice-cream, a big gust of wind came up and I knew I had to shoot that moment.

“I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried.”

It’s a huge coup for Ms King, who had entered the prestigious awards several times before but had never achieved a silver distinction. The photo nearly qualified for a gold, missing out by just two points.

Only the best photos make the cut in the awards, which Ms King said was like the Oscars for photographers.

There is no bronze level in the competition, and entrants must score above 80 to qualify for at least a silver.

“It’s very, very tough to take out one of these awards,” she said. “It can be pretty brutal.

“Like any typical artist, you think ‘am I good enough’? So it’s nice to have that recognition.”

Ms King also took home a silver award for an emotive image of a same-sex wedding in Pokolbin.

In the black and white image, one of the brides has a tear running down her cheek.

Along with the silver distinction and silver, Ms King was also named in the top three professional wedding photographers at the awards.

Ms King said entering the awards was not only good for her business, but for her work as well.

“It pushes me to create better photos,” she said. “My work has definitely evolved. I look back at the photos I first entered and kind of cringe.”

Fellow Hunter Valley photographers Roger Rosentreter and Matthew Streatfield were also awarded at the ceremony. Both took home silver awards for their wedding images.