Mum Louisa Cook is focusing on the chance of a career behind the camera after winning a place on a new television show.

Louisa, who runs an holistic therapy business, applied to feature on the new TV show Hot Shots after discovering her love of the lens. Her husband John bought 34-year-old Louisa a digital camera for Christmas and she has been compiling a portfolio of her work ever since.

Hot Shots is a collaboration by Epson and Discovery Real Time. It is being promoted as a fast-paced show which gives keen amateur photographers the opportunity to really find out how to take pictures with the help of top celebrity photographers.

Louisa, of Harbour Way, Shoreham Beach, found out about the show after being handed a clipping from a newspaper by a friend.

Louisa said: "When I read it, it was an ad looking for people like me who love photography to contribute to a new television show. I plucked up the courage to ring the number and I couldn't believe it when TwoFour Productions called me back."

Louisa had never thought about photography as a hobby until her husband bought her a digital camera for Christmas just two years ago.

Louisa said: "I was really nervous at the first screen test for Hot Shots but everyone put us at our ease. I'm not used to being on the other side of a camera but I thought 'go for it girl'."

The programme, being aired from October 24, is one of a ten-part series which sees Louisa join celebrity photographer Chris Simpson in the East Sussex countryside near his studios.

Louisa added: "I had always taken beach shots myself. I learnt so much from Chris about light and shade and even taking along a ladder to get a better perspective on things.

"It was really nerve-wracking showing our results to a real pro photographer. Chris couldn't have been nicer. Doing a TV show was a world away from the school runs and my job but it was amazing and Chris has really spurred me on to make a new career for myself behind the camera."

Discovery Real Time is available on Sky digital 133, Telewest Broadband 271, ntl: 304/133 and Top Up TV 28.