NZIPP PRO Report November 2016

PR

Report BE INSPIRED, BE SUCCESSFUL, BELONG

NZIPP MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

NOT A MEMBER OF THE NZIPP YET? As an accredited member of the NZIPP you have the support, networking opportunities and camaraderie of your peers within your industry. It also adds credibility for your clients that you are a professional photographer. Belonging to an institute that represents all areas of professional photography in New Zealand, and through our focus on education, advice, and a wide range of membership benefits we will help you improve the success and vitality of your business.

Your accredited member benefits will include: · · · · · · ·

Epson NZIPP Iris Awards (member rates) Infocus Conference (member rates) Meeting and Networking opportunities Professional Development Membership Discounts PRO Report eMagazine Scholarships

Come along to your next regional meeting to check out what becoming a member is all about!

Contact info@nzipp.org.nz

MISSION STATEMENT To champion, embrace and communicate excellence and professionalism in photography.

CONTACT NZ Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) P O Box 133158, Eastridge, Auckland 1146 New Zealand W: www.nzipp.org.nz E: info@nzipp.org.nz

We welcome your feedback and thoughts. If you have something to say, send it through to:

Cover Image:

info@nzipp.org.nz

Image © Chris Traill FNZIPP

PRO REPORT is a publication of the NZIPP © NZIPP 2016. All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS Executive Updates 05 Presidents Report

Events & useful links

NZIPP News 06 Infocus 2017

Regional and National Sponsors

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Accreditation Programme

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Get Clicking

Thanks to our Regional and National Sponsors

Regional Updates 12

Auckland / Northland Region

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Wellington Region

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Waikato / BOP Region

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Canterbury / Westland Region

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Otago/Southland Region

Member Profile 26

Chris Traill

What’s In My Bag...?

38 Alana Dresner

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EXECUTIVE UPDATE

Presidents Report Katherine Williams FNZIPP IV– and AAIPP

Throughout multiple channels there has been a great deal of conversation lately about what defines someone as a professional photographer. Typically the conversations go straight towards the direction of “does he or she make a living from photography?” and then the question is “how much of a living does that need to be?” Some say they must be full time, others say earning a few dollars from the craft and many sit on the fence.

The lines are significantly more blurred these days. Even within a full time professional photographers working hours there may be aspects of business that would have previously been regarded as independent or sideline businesses – video, retouching and/or printing for other photographers, design services, educating, colour management services. Today diversity is common, and accepted as the broader part of the profession. Many photographers are parents juggling part time hours with children. A one-size fits all answer doesn’t exist and I believe the healthiest industry answer is to embrace many of our differences – except one.

Professionalism, to me is the defining thing we as an industry should have our focus on. In many ways this day and age has become the time of the “dabbler” and less the time of those truly prepared to immerse themselves gaining high levels of skill before they start engaging in professional practice. Committing oneself to become a proficient craftsperson of photography is in fact the first act of professionalism if the intent is a career in photography.

What we see illustrated out within the industry is that there are many people looking to gain essential skills while working on genuine client work. And whilst there is typically nothing untoward about the intent, the reality may be that the job may be conducted in a way that could never really be saleable or sustainable, and that hurts everyone. The NZIPP has over time changed positively to where the doors are open to people at different stages of their photography career, not just those who are already established in a full time career.

We really wish to invite, encourage and welcome those conducting any level of professional photography

practice regardless of the number of hours that currently entails to come and join and become part of NZIPP. Through industry connections, our accreditation pathways, educational opportunity’s, robust, informative discussions with those within the industry it’s a great place to really commit to professionalism and growth at any stage of your career.

I feel time has come to reserve judgment on how many working hours it takes to make a professional photographer professional. It takes so much more than hours. The intent to work professionally during whatever those hours are, are the critical factor. In considering the picture more holistically, what would be of utmost value to everyone within the photography industry is that every single professional job conducted is done so in a professional way. In looking at it this way it’s clear that the hours worked by each individual photographer are relatively irrelevant to the industry as a whole. A healthy industry provides the foundation for individual success, so this should matter to all of us. Through craftsmanship to best business practice, to sustainable pricing, to excellent client service. Every single job.

I enjoyed these eloquent and empowering words on being a professional photographer by Esther Bunning resonating with many, in a recent Facebook discussion – published here with Esther’s permission.

“I believed for a very long time that being able to call myself a professional photographer meant making my income from photography (and I was super proud of this!) but the word ‘professional’ means way, way more than a % of income. It applies to everything from sound technical knowledge, to skill, integrity, quality, how we conduct our businesses & how our work/industry is perceived by the general public, and so on… and I think as an integral word in the name of our organization, it’s all of ‘this’ we need to emphasis. Not a % of income - it’s simply no longer a relevant yardstick for the vast majority of our members. And the word ‘Accredited’ is a term we should use proudly, and frequently - and shout it from the rooftops!”

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Get ready for..

INFOCUS 2017 PRE RELEASE 1ST DECEMBER TICKET SALE Hottest prices ever.. from $395!

For one week only Pre Release opens 1st December 9am and closes 8th December 9am, limited tickets available.

Registration reopens February 2017 Early bird prices $495 - $695 for 2 day registration.

Member rate

PSNZ rate

Standard rate

$395

$495

$595

Early bird registration closes 19th May 2017.

Full rates from $595 - $795 for 2 day registration.

(NZIPP, AIPA &AIPP members)

6 PRO Magazine of the NZIPP Join us Report for 2 /days of education, inspiration, live shoots, gear in action, and social events.

Coming soon..

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INFOCUS 2017 SPEAKER LINE UP JUNE 18TH AND 19TH, SHED 6, QUEENS WHARF, WELLINGTON

PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP www.infocus.org.nz

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AN OPEN BRIEF TO PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOW US WHAT’S POSSIBLE Here’s your opportunity to bring a personal project to life with $10,000, an EOS 5D Mark IV plus an EF 24-105 lens*. Submit your brief today for your chance to make it happen.

APPLY NOW canon.co.nz/personalproject

*Terms and conditions apply. Brief submission cut off is 25 November 2016. Winner must submit final personal project by 30 June 2017.

See canon.co.nz/personalproject for full terms and conditions.

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NZIPP ACCREDITATION

Accreditation Programme Sarah Beaufoy MNZIPP and Mel Waite FNZIPP Accreditation Coordinators

ACCREDITATION

“The strongest path to assured success, is together�

We are very passionate about NZIPP and adhering to the professional standards of the organisation and industry as a whole. It is important for you to become Accredited, which is a recognisable professional business standard and is valuable for your ongoing growth as a professional photographer and NZIPP member.

Sarah, Mel, and welcoming Shar Devine to the Accreditation Team

While Accreditation is a certification process, a large part of becoming accredited is around continued education and support networks within your local photography community, as well as the wider photography network.

Where possible we encourage you to attend and network at regional meetings and coffee catchups.

We will be having assessments in March, May, August and November.

PRE-ACCREDITATION CHECK If you are a new or provisional member you need make yourselves known to your Regional Chairperson who will put you in touch with an Accreditation Advisor. This enables them to view your work and guide as to when you should be submitting to be assessed.

For any questions please email nzipp.accreditation@ gmail.com and follow the notifications in the Accreditation Q&A Facebook Group https://www. facebook.com/groups/107239679301077/

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• Superior image quality with unparalleled colour accuracy & depth • Produce custom material & clothing, furniture & decor, merchandise & photo displays • Easy to install and operate with models to support various production widths & speeds • Reduced running costs with efficient ink application and low power consumption • Comprehensive factory warranty with flexible extendable cover

Learn more, visit www.epson.co.nz/fabric © Photo by Vicky Papas Vergara

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Since the early 1990s, Epson has been commited to provide the worldwide community of professional photographers with the freedom to explore their craft in entirely new directions. This year Epson teamed up with Australian photographer Vicky Papas Vergara at the NZIPP Infocus Conference in Wellington, where Vergara hosted a live shoot showcasing how to create a wearable art creation from scratch. Ryan Warby, Epson Australia’s national business development manager, worked with Vergara to print one of her striking images onto fabric, which Vergara then transformed into the

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beautiful gown. This stunning shot is now used in the

marketing material that Epson run to promote their new sublimation range of products and showcases the artistic nature and wide applications of creative photography.

- Nika Osbourne - Epson

REGIONAL UPDATES

Auckland / Northland Region Words by Chris Traill FNZIPP

Our last event was seriously interesting. Thank you so much to our 3 speakers.

in respect to this archiving apparently and share their systems with other countries.

Firstly we had Diane Stoppard who talked about her passion, pinhole photography and more particularly her personal project she has devoted the last year to.

Camera Obscura, a massive sculpture housing a giant pin hole camera in Whangarei. It was the cover story in Sept/Oct issue of The Photographers Mail. Congrats on your success with getting it off the ground Diane and turning your little dream into a reality. It will be great to see it finished and you can expect NZIPP will be there for it’s official opening ceremony!

There was also some really interesting advice on storage, filing, backup etc, that was relevant for every photographer.

Then we were entertained and educated by a presentation by Dave Sanderson and Andrew Hales who are documenting/archiving into digital format the collections of the Auckland Museum.

It is truly admirable what the museum are undertaking in order to archive, share and make available for us, the rate and tax payers, and actually owners of, this beautiful imagery of the museums taonga.

Auckland Museum are a fine example around the world

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Thank you also to Greg Olsen, Andrew Graham and the rest of the Lacklands team for turning on the drinks and hosting the meeting in your new commercial space.

Much appreciated.

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REGIONAL UPDATES

Wellington Region Words by Catherine Cattanach FNZIPP II and photos Mel Waite FNZIPP

So what DO you do when you rip your only pair of pants at a wedding and you’re wearing bright red undies? It’s times like this when it really helps to be part of a husband & wife photography team. You borrow your wife’s black tights, apparently, and despite the heat you wear them under aforementioned ripped pants, and you sweat your way through the rest of the day in a very manly fashion.

And next time you take some spare trousers.

You’ve got to love Michelle and James Phillips from Patina Photography. These guys are Wellington’s local rockstars, winning NZ Classic Photographer of the Year (Michelle) and NZ Creative Photographer of the Year (James) in 2015. Unsurprisingly we had a great turnout for our September meeting, at which they were our guest speakers.

They are about as far from egotistic rockstars as you could get. James had kind of dumped Michelle in it - she was pretty surprised to hear that he had signed them both up to talk and felt very nervous about public speaking - but she totally rose to the occasion. She gave a deeply personal and moving talk about her journey as a photographer, and about overcoming feelings of vulnerability and “imposter syndrome”, and learning to accept and believe in herself. It is not easy to share such personal struggles, but Michelle said she has really grown to believe in the importance of exposing your heart and your mind, because perhaps somebody out there really needs to hear it. I came away feeling that even if just one person in that room needed what Michelle shared, it would have been hugely worthwhile, and I very much doubt there was only one person feeling that way.

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James is from an architecture background and is the ‘techie’ one in the relationship. He’s not only right into all the nitty gritty about photography and lighting, but he’s also into systems, and shared some great tips for studio management software. One of the themes of James’ talk was using experimentation as a conduit to creativity.

He directed us to Kirby Ferguson’s “Everything is a Remix” video, and talked about how when you try other people’s ideas, you’re inevitably going to end up putting your own stamp on it. In James’s words, once you learn a technique, it gives you a base from which you can jump, and who knows where you might land.

James also talked about the importance of slowing down as you work, both to give yourself the headspace to see clearly, and also to allow time for things to happen once you’ve found your spot.

James and Michelle are such a good team. They have very different and complementary personalities, and it’s no surprise they’ve built a strong business together as well as a strong relationship. Thanks again both of you for being so open and giving.

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REGIONAL UPDATES

Waikato / BOP Region Words by Jacki Key, MNZIPP

A great October get together was had at Imbibe starting with dinner and drinks. It’s a good chance to catch up with local members as we’re all busy and quite spread out geographically. Mark McKeown was presented with the Regional Photographer of the Year Trophy. Congratulations Mark! Mark had some inspirational tips for everyone on awards and shooting in general. Thats the great thing about NZIPP - the sharing of knowledge with peers.After some housekeeping and general business, Craig Robertson presented “The Fine Print Copyright & Contracts”. It’s great to keep this information up to date and fresh in our minds, and to hear from an experienced commercial photographer who knows the licensing system inside out. Craig covered “WHY” professional photographers should be fastidious in the use of contracts, The New Zealand Copyright Act, what it means, and how we are different from other countries (if you are commissioned to take photographs, you don’t own the copyright to them).

Thats where the importance of using contracts and licensing comes in whether you’re shooting commercial, portraiture, or wedding. Mark and Suzanne McKeown of Musae Studios shared a case study where having all the paperwork done helped them with retaining a deposit that had been paid when the client cancelled a wedding shoot. It was good to hear from their personal experience that the documents available are sound and worthwhile.NZIPP or AIPA T&C’s are available for anyone to download and are specific to New Zealand laws.Craig also shared his approach to people scared by forms, and some different options in keeping clients relaxed and happy.A healthy open discussion followed with more information regarding copyright for overseas

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clients. There was a lot of information and experience swapping of copyright breaches, online image theft, and advice on what approach to take.I think everyone learnt something from someone.With all that valuable education and information it’s well worth turning up to meetings

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NZIPP WAIKATO/BOP

Invite all our members and guests to…

‘AWKWARD’ Family Portraits

CHRISTMAS & AWARDS PARTY Tuesday 06 December 2016 - 5.30pm CAFE BRAVO 20 Spring Street (Red Square), Downtown Tauranga

So pick a ‘Clan’ and dress to theme…

THE BOP HILLBILLIES

Straw hats, rednecks, plaid shirts ’n cut off jeans - You make your own moonshine Oh and you might be related to half our members

WAIKATO WESTIES

Find your inner bogan, especially if you like mullets, leopard prints, leather, tequila and ‘Back in Black’ 18 PRO Report /shots Magazine of the NZIPP

NZIPR (NZ Institute of Punk Rockers) It’s all about having an attitude and a tendency to shock - spiky hair and safety pins, band tees, skinny jeans, doc martins - and ya idol is Sid V

THE RANDOMS

Come as something random that is going to look way awkward - like a onesie or wetsuit or an alien - so no one has any idea what you are!

NZIPP WAIKATO/BOP

Invite all our members and guests to…

‘AWKWARD’ Family Portraits

CHRISTMAS & AWARDS PARTY Tuesday 06 December 2016 - 5.30pm CAFE BRAVO 20 Spring Street (Red Square), Downtown Tauranga 5.30pm - Arrival Drinks & Nibbles

Mix ’n Mingle - find your clan - its “Awkward Family Reunion Time”

6.15pm - Awkward Family Portraits

Oh yeah… ‘Official Professional Portrait’ of each clan - it’s time to get awk-waaard!

7.00pm - Dinner & Awards & Party

Who will be the winner of our ‘NZIPP Waikato/BOP Creative Photography Competition 2016’?

WITH Prizes for Runner Up and Third Place PLUS Awards for W/BOP ‘Dedication to the Cause’ & ‘Hall of Fame’ PLUS-PLUS It wouldn’t be a W/BOP Christmas Part-tay without celebrating ‘Best Costume’ With 4 prizes for the best of each of our Awkward Family Clans!!!

PLUS-PLUS-PLUS REMEMBER CA-CHING-CASH-HOLA FOR OUR ANNUAL W/BOP CHARITY RAFFLE

Christmas Menu MAINS

Panfried Fish of the day Chicken Breast seasoned with orange & thyme Scotch Fillet Steak cooked to your liking served with a mushroom sauce Potato Gnocchi served with walnuts & a blue cheese sauce (all served with french fries & seasonal salad greens)

DESSERTS

Chocolate Brownie served with strawberries & a warm chocolate sauce Tiramisu served with espresso biscotti Christmas Mince Pies served with seasonal fruits * Please let Alana know if you have any special dietary requirements *

Please bring a can or non-perishable items for Foodbank

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------YES! Please book

for the NZIPP Waikato/BOP Christmas & Awards Party

Names of those attending Studio Name Address Phone

Email $65.00 NZIPP Waikato/BOP Member / Sponsor rate / Partners & Guests rate Online Banking to ANZ 01-0414-0347514-01 (please put your surname and code: Christmas Email this booking form to: weddings@alanadresner.com

PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP Please R.S.V.P and PRE-PAY BY 15 NOVEMBER

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REGIONAL UPDATES

Canterbury / Westland Region Words by Juliette Capaldi FNZIPP

20 images, 20 seconds per image, and seven presenters....what can happen?

couple at a restaurant, sitting at another table all by herself.

The Canterbury/Westland monthly meeting was our Chit Chat evening, and our speakers were varied and interesting.

Melanie Mayell covered death cafes (where you eat cake, drink coffee, and talk about death and dying), her Thank You book, writing letters to your children and them writing them back, a journal you could write about something you appreciate about a person each day, and lots of other really lovely ideas.

Mullet Man (aka Nathan Bonner) was up first. We saw a great range of images as he developed his busking skills over the years, and eventually went out on his own after originally working alongside another busker. It was great to hear why he went on to make a living from busking, and how he now gets paid to busk overseas. Well done Nathan.

John Doogan went next, and he was definitely the most succinct of all our speakers. I loved the 1970’s hairstyles, the pet possum (and learning how you should not feed rose petals to possums if they are a pet!!), and John’s passion for photography after being a professional photographer for 25 years.

Craig Bullock talked about his 3 books (Quake Dogs, Quake Cats and Its a Dogs Life), along with working with Canine Rescue, wanting a dog for himself (he has 3 cats) and his oldest doggy client who was 24 years old.

And for the record, if you have not heard yet, his Silver Distinction at the Iris awards showing just the paws, was of a cat, not a dog. (If you heard the discussion of this print in the portrait category it will all make since, if you did not, its a long story!)

Shar Devine talked about how her studying Japanese at school and polytechnic lead to her visiting Japan, and has developed her Japanese Wedding speciality. I loved the selfies they did to practice the wedding poses, and the fact that she had to sometimes chaperone the

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Ann Worthy Stephenson loves fish and cute fish faces, and wowed us with the underwater world. I loved the 10 years it took to get the perfect image of the small catfish, the whale shark that Tim missed, and how lovely it was of the yellow seahorse to swim in front of the orange sponge for a portrait.

Chris Stead gave us the low down on the 8 day festival that is Burning Man, in Nevada, USA. Queuing, art cars, getting around on bikes, lack of rubbish and commercial products, radical self expression, self reliance, art pieces, and 70,000 people. Not for the faint hearted, and why he is planning on going back again next year.

Thank you to everyone who gave up their time, and made this such an interesting evening.

© Susannah Blatchford PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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REGIONAL UPDATES

Otago / Southland Region Words by Nicola Wilhelmson FNZIPP

We had a lovely little workshop in Dunedin this month, thanks to two of our talented local members Janyne Fletcher and Alan Dove.

‘Creative processes and Post Production’ was a workshop that we wanted to cater to our attendees, what were they there for?, how familiar are they with the likes of Lightroom and Photoshop? I know myself I’m quite destructive and not a great lover of using lots of layers.

Alan took us through some before and after post production examples and showed us his workflow through working with layers and improving skin tones etc.

So after airbrushing skin, teeth whitening and general tidying up of hair and clothing the photos would then be presented to his clients.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Alan’s work, I remember visiting his studio with our photography class when I was at Art School. When we all returned back to Art School that day we were all in awe of his work and awesome studio, we all wanted to be him when we grew up!

It was a lovely balance having Janyne up next, with more of a focus on Fine Art prints.

You will have no doubt seen some of Janyne’s beautiful work at the Iris awards. She took us through her creative processes and the way she uses Photoshop to tell the story that she wants to tell.

Janyne likes to tell stories with her images and to see mistakes as opportunities and make something out of it ‘Happy Accidents’.

Janyne has a wonderful gallery in Ranfurly where she sells her fine art prints, they are beautifully framed by herself and her fiancé, have a look on her website! www.janynefletchershop.co.nz I loved seeing the way Janyne worked with an idea and just played in Photoshop she told us that “Photoshop is not necessarily only a tool but a part of the creative process”.

Thank you Janyne and Alan for your time and for sharing your knowledge with us. Let’s do it again some time!

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Events: We have the wonderful Katherine Williams coming to Queenstown for her seminar:

Collision of the heart & head Come listen and be inspired

by NZIPP President & 2016 NZ Professional Photographer of the year

Katherine Williams FNZIPP IV VENUE: Nova Photography Studio DATE: 10th November at 5pm.

TICKETS: only $10 for members and $25 for nonmembers you can purchase these only from Eventfinda: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/collision-ofheart-and-head-katherine-williams/queenstown-lakes

© Alan Dove

© Anthony Turnham ANZIPP

© Alan Dove

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© Jayne Fletcher

© Jayne Fletcher

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© Alan Dove PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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© Chris Traill

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MEMBER PROFILE

Chris Traill

FNZIPP

www.christraillphotos.co.nz

How long have you been a photographer?

Since 18 years old I’ve worked in the photography industry in some shape or form.

Looking and interpreting what we see in relation to our view of the world certainly starts very young. But with the purpose of making photographs, and seeing the world with that intent, it all started for me around the age of 15, when I purchased a Zenit-E through the trade and exchange. I’d had a 126 instamatic as a child but to move to 35mm with interchangeable lens was the beginning of real photographic exploration, self indulgency and actually, self discovery.

At that same time I began processing my own films and printing as well. This world to me was magical. I got hooked very early. I realised you didn’t need a darkroom, but it just needed to be dark. So I’d work in my bedroom after dark, with all the chemical trays laid out on my bed. I often printed to the wee small hours, leaving the prints soaking in the bath overnight, getting up early and emptying and refilling the bath several times, hanging them up and heading off to school.

Looking back to those times, I realise being a young creative person was a bit unusual in a predominately working class Auckland suburb. At school I was seen as bit of a weirdo. I wore an ear ring and had a different swag to others. I always remember a certain teacher calling me a poofter. Hopefully coming top in the school in art might have shut him up. He was the first 15 coach.

I loved art and my walls of my bedroom were wallpapered with art, posters and imagery. And now I was able to make my own pictures. This was the beginning of my journey.

How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it?

I always find this a tough one. When someone asks you “so what sort of work do you do”. I sometimes wish I was just a food photographer, purely for the easiness of answering that question. It’s an understatement to say I work across many genres. I’m working on a new website at the moment so I have needed to address this very question. Finding the images that defines me and my style.

I’m primarily a people photographer. I love portraiture, especially of the beauty/fashion/glamorous kind. Then there is the big events, festivals and concerts. I’ve shot a lot of them. For example I’ve covered the Secondary Schools Maori and Pacific Island Cultural Festival (Polyfest) for the past 26 years. For many years I covered it for about 5 different clients.

I have a passion for shooting different cultures. People of colour and character. I love getting lost in other worlds. I jokingly referred to myself recently as a culturevultureographer. Because I’ve always lived and worked in South Auckland that’s shaped my style and client base as well.

Then there’s the concert photography. I’ve been shooting rock concerts since 1975.

I’ve worked for a bunch of different magazines over the years. I believe the jobs you get, the opportunities you’re given and the type of clients you work for, can actually shape your eye and style and can carve your path.

One art director believing in you can change your life.

Thankfully I’ve had a few.

One of my clients of many years is the teenage magazine, Tearaway. It was the little brother of Rip It PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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I jokingly referred to myself recently as a culturevultureographer. Because I’ve always lived and worked in South Auckland that’s shaped my style and client base as well.

- Chris Traill

Up, a giveaway mag targeting teens and going into secondary schools and libraries. I was called on to shoot their covers, which were usually of musicians etc.

I remember my daughters were always impressed when coming home from school, to find Dad shooting some pop star in the garage/ home studio.

Anyway, as a cover shot for this particular mag, the image had to be powerful with ‘in ya face’ impact. A little bit crazy, with attitude and even a bit rebellious.

Apparently that suited me. Up close, tight and funky was the style. The magazines catch phrase was...The Voice of N.Z’s Youth. After 30 years they became another hardcopy magazine casualty and now operate online.

Image © Michelle Phillips

I’ve shot around 600 weddings so I’d have to say they would have been the bulk of my income as a fulltime photographer. There is no doubt having worked across many different fields of photography is perfectly suited for shooting weddings, because that one day requires so many different talents and you’re required to wear so many hats.

I’ve never targeted any particular type of work but rather, taken anything and everything that comes along and enjoy every challenge. It’s about applying my creative eye to whatever the subject and it’s that variation that makes this job interesting. So I guess the answer to the question is...I’m bit of an all rounder...lol.

What type of session do you look forward to the most vs one you most often do?

I think I enjoy the most shooting big gigs. A festival of some sort. The more colourful the better. Music and/or culture. To be commissioned, with a completely open brief and an access all areas pass, just to go take pictures that capture the spirit and atmosphere of a big

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public event. Luckily this is generally what I do anyway, however our season is so short. Ideally I’d like to be doing this year round. Travelling to exotic parts of the world shooting festival to festival.

Of course a glamorous creative studio model shoot where I can dig into my creative tool bag and indulge in capturing beauty is always a pleasure.

I’d have to confess the work I look forward to the least is anything corporate or shooting a family with teenagers that don’t want to be there. No surprise those are the jobs that pay the most, and for that reason, I’m happy to do them. I still love a challenge.

What would be your one piece of advice to others finding their way in the world of photography?

Well firstly I think it would be very unlikely they’d be looking for my advice as I’ve noticed, generally speaking, the younger people these days are quite self righteous and following their own journeys. It’s a different world now so we are actually learning more from them.

But I’d say to them, forget the ‘follow your dreams’ thing or you’ll always be disappointed. But concentrate on and appreciate what’s in front of you right now and perfect it, moving forward with your own original ideas, always improving along the way. Have fun, break rules and experiment. Walk your own path and make every little opportunity you get count. It’s a natural thing for us to all strive to do better. Of course it’s about the journey not the destination.

Oh and shoot everything to death. When you think you’re done, shoot a few more. Don’t just satisfy your client, make sure you satisfy yourself.

© Chris Traill PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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© Chris Traill

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Image © Ross Clayton

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..the type of clients you work for, can actually shape your eye and style and can carve your path. One art director believing in you can change your life.

Thankfully I’ve had a few.

- Chris Traill

What’s your favourite image you’ve shot recently?

There are some shots that are extremely fulfilling to me, but don’t stand the test of time. My latest work is always the most exciting. It’s like buying a new piece of clothing.

It doesn’t take long for it’s initial appeal to fade. I find the true test is having a photo as your desktop background and see how long it lasts. So a successful image has to be alluring on many levels and be multi layered in some way.

There are often images that don’t move other people in the same way it does me. So for the sake of picking an image. One of these is a shot a couple kissing at a Holi Festival. I adore this. It has an energy. A beautiful quiet sensitive moment amidst chaos. Quite surreal. I do enjoy photojournalism and documentary styles as I get older.

Something with strong social comment.

time, as the world did, so to have this megastar model for me was a privilege. I’ll always remember my phone rang during the session and he loved my ring tone. Wow, Moby liked my ring tone. It was a sonic sound.

If you could shoot with another photographer who would it be and why?

Well I’ve always worked alone. Apart from the odd assistant from time to time I prefer my own space. Being in my own zone. I often work with makeup and body artists, stylists, designers etc but not other photogs. They’d cramp my style...lol.

However this summer I’m heading off on a overseas trip, sailing around Thailand with long time NZIPP buddy Bruce Gabites. It’ll be fun to shoot and travel with another photographer.

What one photo means the most to you?

OMG...that’s like choosing a favourite child or the winner of a beauty pageant. Obviously the Iris Gold awards are always special. But the favourites I think are my classics of iconic people of our time, especially if they are people who are no longer with us. Over time I realise these are the most precious. The ones that feel like a real catch or the trophy of a hunt. My own souvenir of people like Michael Jackson, James Brown, Dame Whina Cooper and Nelson Mandela to name a few.

What has been your most memorable assignments and why?

I had a big job a few years back which was a bit different. I was given 120 council community halls to go and photograph for the councils website, showing the halls facilities and characteristics. I know it doesn’t sound very sexy. This took an entire month. Road trips from Awhitu to Pakiri. Every hall was an adventure/mission.

What a great opportunity this was, documenting these character buildings. I turned it into my own art project.

For example I now have a neat collection/series of the sweetest little stages. Making art out of the ordinary.

Another cool job/highlight was photographing the musician Moby for a magazine. I loved his music at the

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Main way I market Chris Traill?

You tell me. I do struggle with marketing myself. I’m confused by the power of marketing and saddened with the way society can be so gullible and influenced by clever marketing ways. It’s never sat well in my soul. I’ve never spent a lot of time on advertising and marketing.

But the work has always come along. My business name from the beginning was Freestyle Photography. I thought that suited my swag. But I’ve dropped it recently because I’ve realised my business is really all about me and my eye. If I had a business that I was trying to build where I had staff and other photographers working within it, then that would be a different story.

If not a photographer, you would have been?

Anything else decoration orientated. Something that required an eye for visual and/or creative construction of whatever to achieve a work of art in some shape or form for some reason. It could be a cinematographer, a chef, a landscaper, an interior designer, shop window display etc etc. I got my creative genes from my mum, who was a high profile floral designer who won awards world wide. My Granddad was a pakeha master Maori carver.

FORREST - GOLD AWARD © Donna-Marie Stark © Chris Traill PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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© Chris Traill

What gear on a typical shoot?

To be honest I actually have to go to my camera bag and look at what it is I use to answer this question. I have never put a lot of emphasis on my gear. I wish at times I had. If I’d shot my last 30 years of images on the best equipment it would have been preferable, but the truth is, I would not have been able to do half of what I’ve done, with the distraction and cost, of gear obsession.

Don’t get me wrong I understand it’s importance. But it’s like a guitar to a singer/songwriter/musician. Agreed yes, the instrument plays a huge part in the quality of the end result but for me its always been about the song and way it’s played.

Before digital I was from the Olympus OM1 stable. I currently use a Nikon D610 with Tamron 24-70 f2.8 lens and a Nikkor 70-200 f4. The zoom lens are incredible now.

Before shooting digital I was always a prime lens user. If I was financially liberated who knows what I’d be using.

What projects are you working on now?

Going into the busy portrait and festival season all personal work will be on hold. But I’m always keen to

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keep building on my Toi Toi design series, working with foliage and fauna, sticks and stones, feathers, shells and seaweed etc. It’s purely decorative but has won me a few awards and sells quite well in design stores. I’d love to do some physically bigger projects, tapa patterns inspired, laying stuff out on a grand scale shooting above from a drone. Not sure where I’d find 20 turtles though. Might need a few helpers for that one.

Any up and coming plans you’d like to share with us?

No not really. I’ll always be NZIPP proactive. So I’m not going away anytime soon. Id love to see another high profile project like the Anzac war vets project.

I know my journey as a photographer will continue to evolve and my best work is yet to come. But I also expect I’ll naturally move toward private tuition, workshops and teaching, when I’m not so busy. But for now, I’ve still got lots on.

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WHAT’S IN MY BAG

Alana Dresner MNZIPP www.alanadresner.com

I am a people person - give me a photography assignment that has people in it and I’m in my happy place!

One aspect of my business has allowed me to combine my two loves of travel and photographing weddings. I have been fortunate enough to photograph several on location weddings (or “weddingmoons” in the biz) at destinations such as Rarotonga, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Whitsundays, Hunter Valley, Bali, Thailand and Hawaii.

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When you are travelling for photography work overseas you have to downsize - and with all the restrictions on luggage nowadays - I thought I’d share with you what is in my photography “travel bag”. You always want to be able to take your camera gear on board, in the cabin with you - so this means you are limited to 7kgs.

I am a Canon gal - and the 5D range is perfect for me (I’m dreaming of a 5D Mark IV Christmas…).

As one is part photographer and part MacGyver - on

© Alana Dresner

location, my Lowepro backpack camera bag is packed to the brim with two Camera body’s, two lenses and two speedlites - along with batteries, CF Cards, plasters, bobby pins, sunscreen, insect repellant, pandadol, and a hand towel from the hotel room for sandy feet (it is always returned!).

A few travel tips - I bubble wrap my camera body’s and lenses for the flights - just to give it that extra insulation, in particular from the “shudder” of take off. I have all my loose batteries together in the one plastic bag - and put that through the x-ray as it’s own item (alongside your other bag with liquids etc). If I don’t do that - I always get my camera bag searched. And when you have everything neatly packed - getting one’s camera bag searched is a right pain. After about the 7th time having this happen I decided to ask them why me? Is it cause I’m travelling on my own? No, it’s because I had my loose batteries all in the bottom of my camera bag which showed up as an unidentifiable mass. Another really important part about batteries is that some countries are very very (very!) fussy about how you have any loose batteries (in particular AA size) in your carryon. No longer can you travel with them all loose and potential contacts touching. I now keep my original battery packaging for travelling OR I have to sellotape them apart.

nights (always arrive earlier the day before to check out my surroundings, and usually depart the day after the wedding). If I’m going a bit further I might try and push things out to 5-7 nights. I think part of the excitement is the unknown as one can get used to their “backyard”.

Travel requires respect and patience but the experience itself is a true reward.

You always need to be prepared for the unexpected - as it will happen - like when your groom in Hawaii decides on the day of his wedding - to try surfing for the very first time in his life only to get as far as his ankles, when a rouge wave flips the board and gashes his eyelid needing 8 stitches - just done in time for before his wedding ceremony! Whew for makeup talented sisters!

The images featured here are of the weddingmoons I recently photographed of 2 stunning couples in Fiji and Hawaii.

Photographing weddings overseas is magic, everyone is always relaxed, having a good time (sometimes I do have to remind them to get married!). For the South Pacific or Australia weddings I usually only go for 2-3 PRO Report / Magazine of the NZIPP

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© Jenny Siaosi

© Alana Dresner

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© Catherine Cattanach

© Alana Dresner

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