About Me

There’s something magical about standing in the middle of nowhere, camera in hand, watching the first light of dawn creep over a mountain range or the Milky Way stretch endlessly above. As a born-and-bred Kiwi, I’ve spent my life chasing those moments — slowing down, connecting with the land, and capturing its raw beauty one frame at a time.

The Photography Bug Bit Early

The photography bug had bitten me even before I won my first camera at age 11. After that, it only bit harder. In high school I took photography, convinced I was destined to be the next Ansel Adams. More interested in eating lunch and chatting with friends, I didn't learn a lot, except maybe to annoy my photography teacher. But I still loved taking photos, even if they were terrible!

A Journey of Learning (and Laughing at My Mistakes)

Life's twists and turns have sometimes led me away from photography, but my heart has always drawn me back. In 2010 I invested in my first DSLR and fell straight into the trap of 'good camera = amazing photos'.  My first attempt at astrophotography was from my back garden in the middle of town. I successfully captured an out of focus star. No idea what I was doing, but I was in awe and hungry to learn more.

When it All Clicked (Pun Intended)

It wasn’t until 2017, after a weekend spent standing in rivers learning to photograph waterfalls, that everything finally clicked into place. I had found my true calling in landscape photography and haven't looked back. Since then, photography has perpetually kept me poor, but happier than a pig in sh*t.

My work has since been recognised in several prestigious awards and publications. A key moment in my journey came in 2023 when I was runner-up in the NZ Geo Photographer of the Year’s Built Environment category. This was a huge achievement, but what made it even more special was winning the Electric Kiwi Mobile Award sub-category of the competition. It was a reminder that the best camera is the one you have with you, and even a humble iPhone can capture something incredible when the right moment presents itself.

That momentum carried into 2024, when I was honoured with the NZIPP Amateur Photographer of the Year, earning a Silver in Landscape and several Highly Commended awards. My work has also been featured internationally, including at the International Color Awards and the Natural Landscape Photography Awards, where my portfolio placed in the top 29% of over 12,000 submissions. Other highlights include Bronze awards in both Black & White and Fine Art at One Eyeland, and being selected for the New Zealand Camera annual publication.

The Adventures Photography Led Me To

Photography has taught me to slow down and truly connect with a location—while others snap their Insta shot and disappear in 60 seconds, I stay, soaking it all in. I’ve spent hours under the night sky, freezing my ass off, mesmerised by the Milky Way stretched above me. I’ve slept on rocky beaches cut off by the tide, in the back of my car, and on top of sand dunes. I’ve started hikes at 2am just to catch the perfect sunrise. Photography has even inspired me to learn a second language.

Sharing the Magic

Growing up in New Zealand, I was shaped by its landscapes, and photography only deepened that connection. Now, I get to share that experience with others. Whether you're still figuring out which button does what or you've been shooting for years, my workshops are about more than just taking photos—they're about slowing down, truly immersing yourself in the moment, and discovering the magic that happens when preparation meets the perfect moment.