NAZIA Bi is one of those lucky people whose job is also her passion.

The former pupil at Handsworth Wood Girls’ School launched her own photography business just under a year ago.

It is the culmination of a long interest in photography that led to her taking a three-year course at the University of Wolverhampton, graduating with a BA (Hons).

During her degree, she worked with two independent photographers as a part-time assistant, giving her an insight into what her chosen career would mean.

After graduating, she worked in London before returning to her home city to set up her own business, Photography by Nazia, based in Birmingham.

It was a natural progression for Nazia, whose heroes included photographic greats such as Patrick Lichfield, David Bailey, Norman Parkinson, Cindy Sherman, Irving Penn and Helmut Newton at a time when her schoolmates would probably have listed pop stars and actors.

Nazia’s own business is steadily growing.

“The sort of work I do is predominantly weddings and portraiture,” she said.