Q: Can you tell us about your photography journey?
A: I've been a full-time photographer for 10 years now. Before diving into the photography business, I spent 20 years in the civil engineering design industry. Photography began as a side hustle after I moved to New Zealand and eventually became my passion and main focus, previous to that it was just an expensive hobby.

Q: What's your favourite camera to use?
A: My favourite would have to be my twin Canon R5s. The eye detection technology that automatically detects and locks onto your subject's eyes has been incredibly beneficial, especially for the often fast-paced nature of event and portrait photography.

Q: Do you have a favourite lens?
A: It's hard to choose since I own quite a few, but for my day-to-day work, I often reach for my Canon L series 24-70mm and 70-200mm f2.8 lenses. For portraits and headshots, I prefer using the Canon 100mm f2.8 L series Macro lens.

It's a well-known fact that the quality of the glass (lens) is more important than the quality (or cost) of the actual camera body when you need the best image quality, so invest wisely!

Q: Could you share a memorable commercial project you've worked on?
A: Over the past decade, I've had many, but one that stands out is a photography project for an aged care facility in Hastings. The residents were fascinating, and full of personality, often leaving me laughing and with a big smile on my dial. It was a stark reminder that fun knows no age limit, unless you let it!

Q: What has been the most memorable event you've photographed?
A: That's a tough one since there have been countless memorable moments over the years. The unique aspect of event photography is the wonderful people I meet and the stories we often share, making each event unforgettable.

Q: What's the most important lesson you've learned through your photography journey?
A: The importance of understanding the financial aspect of this business cannot be overstated. Knowing what and how to charge, understanding the true costs, and not undercutting the competition are key to running a successful photography business.

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

A: Be patient, work hard, don't be afraid to ask for help and consider joining the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). Lastly, working for 'exposure' does not pay the bills, or put food on the table, it only serves to devalue the photography industry, and wrongly educates those who want or need your services. Charge your worth, as it’s a rapid race to the bottom of the pile if you don’t!

Q: How do you enjoy spending your spare time?
A: I love spending time with my family, travel, camping, heading out for a day's fishing, mountain biking on Te Mata Peak or at Eskdale MTB Park, or simply taking our Golden Retriever, Ghillie, for a walk.

Q: What do you anticipate for the next 12 months?
A: Economically speaking, New Zealand is facing challenges in the short term, likely until 2025 at least. Personally, I'm committed to continuing to adapt to my clients' needs, capturing quality images to help them stay relevant, and being readily available whenever, and wherever needed during these challenging times.

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about my journey, hit me up in the comments. Always keen for a chat!