A FREELANCE photographer who spends her time snapping some of Oxford’s most beautiful landscapes has been nominated for a national blog award.

Five years ago Natasha Denness, from Cowley, started her blog Candy Pop, which focuses on lifestyle and photography.

It is one of four blogs – informal websites often written by a single person – nominated for the “Best Colour Inspiration Blog” category at the Amara Interior Blog Awards, which recognise the best interior-based ones in the UK.

As well as mainly featuring the interior of Miss Denness’s house, Candy Pop also covers Oxford exteriors. It was nominated for the site’s use of design.

Nearly 600 blogs were put forward in 16 categories this year, with 35,000 votes cast online.

Miss Denness said: “I set up the blog because I love being creative. Photography is something I’ve always been very interested in.

“I first started the blog so I could post interior photos of my own home, and it seems to have grown from there.

“It is great that so many people took the time to vote for me and it’s more than I could have hoped for. It’s amazing that I got nominated in the first place.”

The 41-year-old, who lives with her partner Adrian, 39, studied Fine Art and History of Art at Oxford Brookes between 1993 and 1996.

She previously worked as a relations manager at St Peter’s College before leaving two months ago to do photography full-time.

She said: “I enjoyed the work but it was an office-based job and I wanted to set aside more time for my photography.

“When you do an arts degree it is something that will always be part of your life, and I’m grateful to be able to use those skills now.

Miss Denness said: “I love to celebrate the fact that I live and work in such a great city.

“Oxford is such a photogenic city and I definitely believe it is the most beautiful in the world.”

The freelance snapper also holds regular “Instagram meets” in Oxford for local photographers to meet up and take photos of their favourite locations.

The awards ceremony will be held on October 28 at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. To read the blog go to candypop.uk.com