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Welcome to my Blog
An insight into how I operate and other musings...
As a Dunedin photographer, I love the variety that comes with photographing people, businesses and creative ideas across portrait and commercial photography. This blog is where I share more of the stories behind the images, from recent Dunedin portrait sessions and commercial shoots to travel, personal projects and behind-the-scenes moments. You’ll also find photography tips, creative inspiration and a little insight into how I approach each shoot. Mostly, it’s a place to share why I still love what I do and the people, places and stories that keep me picking up my camera.
Single moments that embed themselves in your psyche
There are very few times in a lifetime that truly give your life meaning, direction and solace. The above image was born from a heartbreaking time in my life. My marriage was over; I was on my own in Malaysia without my kids for the first time, and the conflict was non-stop. This trip was to 1. reclaim my independence from my marriage and 2. distract me from the heartbreak of not being able to see my kids every day. The trip was 2 weeks, 1 in Malaysia and 1 in Thailand. A cha
Phoenix — A Shoot About Rebirth, Resilience and a Little Bit of Fire
There are some shoots where you turn up with a camera, take some beautiful photos and go home. Then there are shoots that feel like something a little more.
Phoenix was definitely the second kind.
I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this collection for Liana at Zen Hair, created around the idea of the phoenix: rebirth, transformation, resilience and rising again.
How to Prepare for a Personal Branding Photo Session in Dunedin
Booking a personal branding photo session in Dunedin can be exciting, but it can also bring up that little moment of panic: What am I going to wear? What do I do with my hands? Do I need to know how to pose?
The good news is, you really don’t need to have everything figured out before you arrive. That’s part of my job.
Personal branding photography is about creating images that feel like you
Looking for an Artistic Portrait Photographer in Dunedin?
If you’re looking for something a little more creative than a traditional portrait, finding the right photographer matters. Artistic portrait photography is less about simply documenting what you look like and more about creating an image with mood, personality, storytelling and a strong visual style. Here in Dunedin, you’ll find photographers working across everything from classic family portraiture to fashion, fine art and commercial photography. If what you’re really searc
Booking Me as Your Professional Photographer in Dunedin
Booking a professional photographer shouldn’t feel intimidating, complicated or overly formal. Whether you need updated branding photos, family portraits, headshots, graduation photos or something a little more creative, my aim is to make the whole experience feel relaxed from the very beginning.
Family portraits in Dunedin
One of the lovely things about having family portraits taken in Dunedin is just how much choice we have. Within a fairly short drive we can be at the beach, surrounded by beautiful gardens, tucked amongst trees and native bush, wandering through the city, or somewhere that feels completely personal to your family.
And while the location definitely adds to the look of your photographs, I don’t think there is one perfect family photography location in Dunedin.
Studio portrait photography in Dunedin
Studio portrait photography gives us the chance to create something a little more polished, intentional and beautifully you. My Dunedin portrait sessions are relaxed and easygoing, with plenty of guidance so you never need to worry about what to do with your hands, where to look or how to pose.
What styles of portrait photography are popular in Dunedin?
Dunedin gives us some pretty amazing backdrops for portrait photography.
Beaches, dramatic coastline, heritage buildings, interesting city streets, gardens and beautiful pockets of natural light all lend themselves to environmental portraits.
Rather than photographing you against a plain background, environmental portraits place you within a location that adds something to the photograph.
What to expect from a commercial photography shoot in Dunedin with me.
You definitely don’t need to arrive with a perfectly formed creative brief. Part of my job is helping you work out what will photograph well and what combination of images will give you the most useful collection.
Beach Days & Family Moments at Ocean View
or this session at Ocean View Beach near Braids Hill Playground in Dunedin, we had the whole family together; Mum's, Dad's, kids and grandparents. I love photographing these bigger family groups because you get so many little relationships within the one session, not just the obvious “everyone looking at the camera” family photo.
Family Portrait Photography in Dunedin — Relaxed, Real and Completely You
Family photos don’t need to mean everyone standing in a perfect row, smiling at the camera and hoping the kids cooperate. For me, the best family photography sessions are much more relaxed than that. They’re about capturing the way your family actually feels together — the laughs, the cuddles, the personalities and all those little moments in between. You don’t need to be “good” at photos I hear “We’re terrible in front of the camera” all the time. You don’t need to know how
Why I Don't Mind That You Hate Having Your Photo Taken
Life doesn't wait for perfection. The people who love us aren't waiting for us to become perfect before they see our value. They already see our personality, our warmth, our humour and our vibe. They already see the things that matter most. I think that's why photographing people feels like such a privilege.
Rococo Reverie — Creating Fantasy Through Hair, Fashion & Storytelling
Photographing creative editorial work like this is very different from photographing people in everyday environments, but emotionally the process is surprisingly similar. I’m still searching for feeling first. Even inside highly styled conceptual work, I want the person in front of the camera to feel alive rather than overly posed.
I Didn’t Start Photography Because I Loved Cameras
I know that probably sounds strange coming from someone who built a career around them, but it’s true. It was not really about the gear for me. I wasn’t the person obsessing over technical specs or collecting lenses because I was fascinated by equipment. What drew me in was always people. Emotion. Connection. Although I would often get men saying things when I was travelling on holiday tours or buses: "Oh here's the girl with the camera." like my presence with one was laughab
When the “Perfect Shot” Isn’t Possible: How to Make Meaningful Travel Photos Anyway
You don’t need perfect light, empty streets, or endless time to make powerful travel photographs. Shift your mindset from trophy shots to storytelling, embrace constraints, and use a simple pivot framework to find images that feel true. This is exactly what I teach on my travel photography tours, how to create under real-world conditions, confidently and creatively. The myth of the perfect travel photo You land in a new city with one free afternoon. The light’s harsh. It’s ra
The Older I Get, The Less Interested I Am in Perfection
The older I get, the less interested I am in perfection. Not just in photography, but in almost every part of life. I think there was a time when I believed beautiful photographs were created through flawless styling, perfect posing, and carefully controlled moments. I thought the goal was to refine everything until nothing appeared messy or out of place. These days, I find myself drawn to something entirely different. The photographs that stay with me now are rarely the perf
What to Wear for a Personal Branding Photos (Without Looking Like Everyone Else)
One of the first questions people ask after booking a personal branding session is: “What should I wear?” Honestly? It matters more than most people think. Your clothing shapes the entire feeling of your images. It communicates personality before you even speak. Relaxed and creative. Bold and modern. Calm and grounded. Editorial and high-end. Soft and approachable. The goal of branding photography is not to make you look like everybody else online. It’s to make your business
Personal Branding with Mayumi: Calm, Clear, and Confident
Some people bring a quiet glow into the room the moment they arrive. Mayumi is one of those people: warm, thoughtful, and deeply professional. Our goal for her personal branding session was simple: create images that feel like an invitation to work with her. Approachable, polished, and unmistakably her.
Hello, Summer: Why Now’s the Perfect Time to Book Your Family Photos
Summer in Dunedin is made for family photos, long golden evenings, kids running barefoot, and that soft, honeyed light that makes everyone look like they’ve had a week off. If you’ve been thinking about updating the frames on the wall (or finally printing that big statement piece you’ve promised yourself), the upcoming summer season is the sweetest time to do it.
Mastering Low-Light Travel Photography (Without a Tripod)
When you’re travelling, many of the most atmospheric moments happen after the sun dips, lanterns flick on, night markets hum, city reflections come alive. The challenge? You don’t always have a tripod (or the time/space to set one up). Here’s how to create sharp, soulful low-light images handheld, using simple techniques you can rely on anywhere.
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