OSCAR winner Hilary Swank was always determined to make it big in Hollywood - according to the photographer who first captured her star quality.

DON ANDERSON was happy to let the then-14-year-old Million Dollar Baby actress call the shots during their photo shoot in Washington state, after he was hired by Swank's mother JUDY to help put together her portfolio in order to kick-start her Hollywood career.

When the Best Actress ACADEMY AWARD winner turned 16, her and her mom left their trailer park home in Bellingham, Washington and set off for California in a car, which they lived in until Swank found work.

Anderson says, "With Hilary there was this determination that 'I'm going to Hollywood and I'm going to be a movie star'.

"All I had to worry about was the lighting and getting the angle right. It was almost like she was directing me."

Anderson's wife TRICIA adds, "I remember Hilary saying they were going to take the photos and drive to Hollywood, where they were either going to make it or not. And her mother had such faith in her."

04/03/2005 14:13