NZIPP PRO Report November 2014

JOB DONE! MEMBER MAGAZINE NOV 2014 / V.49

BE INSPIRED, BE SUCCESSFUL, BELONG

Contents

NOVEMBER 2014

JOB DONE! MEMBER MAGAZINE NOV 2014 / V.49

BE INSPIRED, BE SUCCESSFUL, BELONG

Cover Image: NZIPP RSA Veterans Project 2014 Final mail out - job done!

Executive Updates 05

Presidents Report

06

Portrait Directors Report

07

Honours Council Report

NZIPP News 09

llford Diary

10

NZIPP on Facebook

10

Q Dates for 2014/2015

10

New Member Benefit

11

Iris Award Books

12

NZIPP RSA Veterans Update

14

Breast Cancer Pink Walk

Regional Updates

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

16

Auckland/Northland Region

18

Waikato/BOP Region

20

Wellington Region

Member Profile 22

CONTACT NZ Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) PO Box 76176 Christchurch 8548 New Zealand W: www.nzipp.org.nz E: info@nzipp.org.nz M: +64 27 522 5570 We welcome your feedback and thoughts. If you have something to say, send it through to: info@nzipp.org.nz

PRO REPORT is a publication of the NZIPP Š NZIPP 2014. All rights reserved.

2

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

Penny Nichols - FNZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Contents

Contents What’s In My Bag...?

30

Susannah Blatchford - ANZIPP

Photo Competitions 31

Sony World Photography Awards

Industry News 32

Nikon Lackland Partnership

33

Momento Trade Discount

34

Who is Vivian Maier?

36

A night out with Peter Coulson

Corporate Members 37

Thanks to our Corporate Members

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

3

NOVEMBER 2014

4

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Presidents Report

Executive Updates

Hi everyone , No lengthy tome this time ! It was an interesting time introducing the “ accountability strategy “ to some of the Auckland members the other night . As I suspected the idea was exciting to most and almost scary to others . It gave me a lot to ponder on . This idea is to simply provide a framework for measurable performance . Success and progress ( growth ) can only be identified with measurement . In fact , the mere act of measurement in itself , takes each of us closer to our goals . Why ? Because it presumes we actually have a goal or target . Why not then get encouragement and help with this . If you have no goal or target , or need , or want , then I envy you ! !

I liken the whole idea to be like catching a train that wants to help you . The tickets are free . You can jump on and off at your will . Obviously the longer you stay on the closer to your destination it will take you .

I was invited to meet many of the heads of our suppliers companies at Canon’s HQ the other day . Another reminder of their challenges to doing good business in a small market . Many of these companies have shown unstinting loyalty to the NZIPP over the past years and we still enjoy their support . However , logically they have to identify their spend dollar and how best it is used . We are just part of that landscape for them . Using suppliers within NZ is what we as members should be doing .

The whole parallel importing situation is nowhere near as ( seemingly ) advantageous these days as many of the companies are now offering great deals straight off their websites and of course when bought in NZ have guarantees and service as any pro needs . The best part though is the relationships you build with those that look after you . We are all in the photographic family remember so let’s look after each other .

Your board is constantly working for your betterment and next week we skype again to further plans for Queenstown convention etc . If there are any particular areas you want knowledge in or speakers you would love to hear , then let us know and we will bust our buns to get them for you .I hope the extra hours that Spring brings are filled with not just image making but meaningful family time too . Sometimes it is too easy to forgo quality time with the very people we all work so hard for .

Sincerely,

Russell Hamlet NZIPP President (on behalf of the Board)

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

5

NOVEMBER 2014

Executive Updates

Portrait Directors Report

8 years ago at the inception phase of our business we said to each other “this year will be expensive, but next year will be easy as we will have everything we need”.

The next year in fact proved itself to incur significantly more set up costs than the first.

During the third year, since the work was now flying through the door - we needed more gear, and then more computer equipment was needed, and more software for more computers as this offered necessary tools to run our business. The more data we chewed through and following this our data storage requirements doubled, tripled, quadrupled and so on….

Meanwhile our insurance premiums grew and grew whilst our plant and equipment value grew and grew.

And then, things starting getting out of date, it became time to upgrade equipment and the need to keep software upgrades current for multiple computers was throwing the ever-increasing cost of business at us.

Then year 5 came and so did the repair bills, followed by the need to replace 2 of our cameras in quick succession… and then suddenly our computers were struggling to keep up and we needed to address that, as we do once again now.

The technology surrounding our industry has advanced so fast over recent years and even keeping close to keeping up with this is expensive.

I write this coming fresh from the annoyance of a significant 4 figure bill for a new print head for our trusty Epson 9800, right at our quietest time of year.

However I was most frustrated over the lost time this cost me rather than the financial cost as long ago we learnt our lesson that increased costs – both the planned for and the unexpected - are all part of being in business and this must be accounted for within your pricing structures. Otherwise you don’t have a business model with sustainability, and eventually your business like your gear may just become obsolete. If you’re fresh to business as a photographer don’t be lulled into a sense of security that once you get the latest thing on your wish list the costs will be done with, as unless you’re going backwards your equipment costs are more likely to increase on an annual basis, but this can move in harmony alongside the increase in business growth you are probably looking to achieve – providing your pricing structures have allowed for the true costs of running a photographic business.

Our costs have generally proved to be a perpetual gradual incline. When I look at our 7 prior years depreciation schedules on our plant and equipment, and all of our fixed costs I certainly know this is to be the case, and these years have taught me that we must look at these trends as evidence that we must plan carefully anticipate our financial situation accordingly.

Plan for change, Plan for growth, Plan for sustainability.

Katherine Williams NZIPP Portrait Director

6

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Honours Council Report

Executive Updates

Inspiration, Originality, Similarity and Plagiarism Quite a number of people are already planning and preparing their entries for the 2015 Iris Awards, and 2014 isn’t even over! So with this in mind, it’s probably timely to talk about the aspect of inspiration within the creative process.

We gain inspiration by looking at the work of others (past and present), be it art, sculpture, architecture, fashion, design, illustration, and yes, photography. With a myriad of visual media literally at our fingertips from which we can draw inspiration, it can be too easy to create an image that moves beyond what can be termed “inspired by” to being “too similar” to the work of someone else.

The Call for Entries document provides a “plagiarism” ruling, holding entrants accountable regarding the originality of their work. The term plagiarism referring to presenting an idea as being new, when it has in fact been derived from an existing source and a work that “closely resembles” that of another.

During my time on Honours, we have received a number of complaints questioning the originality of an entrants work. In addition to the complaints, we have ourselves seen images that very closely resemble that of other photographers/artists.

In a recent article for the Australian equivalent of the NZIPP ProReport, Peter Eastway talked about and described his own experience with having someone “copy” a well known image of his own, Santa Maria del Miracoli: … a very similar photograph taken by another photographer was entered into a competition where I was also a judge. I scored the photograph low as I could because it was too close to the original. The only significant difference was that the copy had two little girls in capes running around.

Unfortunately for me, the other judges didn’t understand what plagiarism meant and, after I stepped off the panel, the print scored a Silver with Distinction. I guess that was fortunate for the photographer!

The Iris Awards, in fact any awards, are aimed at awarding creativity, innovation and originality, offering the viewers (Judges and audience) something new to look at. We expect honesty and integrity in this regard, though many work to bend this rule (sometimes unwittingly). Responsibility then falls to both Honours and the judges to make decisions around the originality of the work. While Honours are often presented with images with which comparisons can be made it is not always clear cut and much of the time open to interpretation. With the judges, there is a responsibility to score a work accordingly, where it is known the originality is questionable. A flaw with this being that it relies on all the judges having reasonable knowledge of the vast array of imagery that has ever been produced. This may perhaps be unrealistic, however, this is an important consideration in the selection of judge’s, an expectation for having a certain level of visual awareness, knowledge, and literacy.

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

7

Executive Updates

Honours Council Report Continued...

NOVEMBER 2014

Honours are currently working on clarifying the rulings (for entrants and Honours) around the very grey area of plagiarism and images that are too similar, whether similar to another author’s work or in fact by the same author. While it potentially always will be “grey” we hope to bring a little more certainty and objectivity to the process, in order for us all to make better judgements on what constitutes plagiarism, or work of too similar nature.

As you prepare your images for the next awards, keep in mind where we are heading. As a little heads up, as judges view and discuss an entrant’s work, during category finalist judging (and overall Photographer of the Year), it is very common to hear them comment on wanting to award work that reflects a breadth of knowledge and skills, emphasizing the photographer’s capabilities and diversity.

So, for your own peace of mind, take a close look at the work you are doing to ensure there is no uncertainty in its’ originality and that what you are doing reflects a range of your capabilities.

Again, in quoting from Peter’s article, “They say plagiarism is when you copy the work of one person, while inspiration is when you copy the work of one hundred!” If you’d like to read his full article use the following link: http://issuu.com/workingpro/docs/wp225

Kind Regards

Kaye Davis - GMNZIPP, MAIPP II, MCGD Chair of the NZIPP Honours Council) On behalf of the Honours Council, including: Ollie Dale, Blair Quax, Tony Stewart & Esther Bunning.

8

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Ilford Diary

Ilford Diary November 2014

Kindly sponsored by

4th

Q Submission - Closing Date

6th

CPS - Canon Speedlight Workshop with Richard Linton - Christchurch

11th Waikato/BOP Seminar with Speakers Richard Wood and Bernie Griffiths - Rotorua 11th Waikato/BOP Regional Meeting - Rotorua 17th Canterbury/Westland Regional Meeting - 20/20 Chit Chat - Christchurch

Don’t forget, if you are travelling around New Zealand, as an NZIPP member you can go to any NZIPP Regional Meeting. If you are in the area, take the opportunity to participate in a regional meeting outside your own region.

CLICK ON A DIARY ENTRY FOR MORE INFORMATION.

COMING IN NZIPP IRIS AWARDS:

SHORT FILM CATEGORY

[entries up to 4 minute duration]

www.nzipp.org.nz

2015 IRIS AWARDS

& INFOCUS QUEENSTOWN

AUGUST

2015

D E TA I L S R E L E A S E D S O O N . . .

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

9

NZIPP News

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News Q Submission Dates 2014/2015 Find NZIPP on Facebook - check out the links below....

NZIPP - National • NZIPP - Auckland/Northland Region

For those who aren’t qualified yet it’s time to start planning for your Q submissions. Once successful your member profile will appear in the Find a Photographer function on the NZIPP website, and you’ll be able to work towards NZIPP Accreditation.

Q submission dates for 2014/2015 are...

•

November 4th, 2014

• NZIPP - Central Districts

•

February 3rd, 2015

• NZIPP - Wellington Region

•

June 2nd, 2015

•

October 6th, 2015

• NZIPP - Waikato/BOP Region

• NZIPP - Nelson/Marlborough Region • NZIPP - Canterbury/Westland Region

For more info see the Q Programme under Quick Links on the NZIPP website.

• NZIPP - Otago/Southland Region

New Member Benefit Being a member of the NZIPP brings all kinds of benefits like this one….

5-10% discount on Epson Products - Papers and Inks Members need to email Paul Missen ( Aarque Group branch sales manager) Paul.Missen@aarque.co.nz to receive the members discounts – Cash/ Credit Card basis only. Please provide your NZIPP membership number.

This is a 24 hr delivery service from Wellington once the order has been processed.

Terry Wreford Hann - Commercial Director

10

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News

IRIS PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2009 - 2013 BOOKS

Epson/NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards 2012

Iris Award books are produced annually by the NZIPP from the award winning entries submitted every year. The books showcase all the major award winners, as well as all the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winning images from each year. The books have been published in conjunction with BLURB and ISSUU and are available in three different formats: •

hardcopy/print - available via Blurb’s print on demand service. The book is a 20 X 25cm landscape format, with a hardcover & dust jacket, printed on Premium Lustre finish paper. Each book can be purchased via Blurb’s print on demand service. Prices vary depending on the book size.

•

eBook on iPad - available via Blurb’s ebook service for downloading to an iPad. eBook’s can be purchased for $24.99 USD via Blurb’s eBook download service.

•

online book/magazine - a low resolution version is available to view online for free via Issuu’s digital publishing platform .

Jackie Ranken - NZ Photographer of the Year 2012

Principal Sponsor

Epson/NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards 2009

Paul Gummer - NZ Photographer of the Year 2009

Go to the NZIPP website (www.nzipp.org.nz, and click on the Iris Awards tab followed by Iris Awards Books) for more information and download links for each of the three options.

Principal Sponsor

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

11

NZIPP News

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News NZIPP WWII Veterans Portrait Project Update On Friday 31st October a dedicated team of Canterbury NZIPP members assembled at Linton Photography to tackle the mammoth task of packaging and labelling the RSA Veterans portraits for dispatch. Approximately 1200 portraits were processed in one day, with only a small number remaning that need address verification.

Another processesing session will be held shortly to send the remaining portraits, as well as the last of the images supplied after the initial cut off date.

A BIG THANKYOU goes to Kate Christie, Des Ellery, Paul Daly, Olivia Spencer Bower, Emma Brittenden, Ann Worthy, Maria Buhrkuhl, Penny Nichols, and Erin McLean for all their hard work on the day.

The NZIPP would also like to thank Richard Linton for providing his studio and time throughout this project, as well Stepen Goodenough who bravely took on the job of doing all the post production of the final veteran’s images.

This project would not have been possible without the NZIPP members and supporters who travelled the country to photograph the veterans, and Regional Chairs who co ordinated the photographers in each region.

The NZIPP would also like to acknowledge and thank all the sponsors involved for providing their products and services free of charge to this very worthwhile project -

12

•

NZ Post Community Post Service

•

Croxley

•

Queensberry

•

CR Kennedy

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

13

NZIPP News

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News Breast Cancer Pink Walk - Tauranga Hi everyone, First of all let me say a big thank you! A fantastic sum of monies was raised at the 2014 Epson / NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards & Infocus Conference in August for Breast Cancer Charity.

It is great that we are part of an institute that encourages us to give back to our community by both donating art and reaching into those deep pockets!

Breast Cancer does not discriminate between age, occupation, race or gender. For NZ woman - 1 in 9 are diagnosed with Breast Cancer which means most of us will know someone personally. Thats a tough statistic and even more tough when it happens to you. At the beginning of 2014 I myself was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and when life throws you a curveball the best thing you can have around you is support. I personally have amazing friends and family including our Waikato BOP NZIPP members who have all been there for me through this journey and that just shows what a fantastic institute we belong too - where fellow photographers are not your competitors - they are your “peeps”.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I was honoured to be selected on behalf of NZIPP to present our big cheque to Breast Cancer Support Services at the Pink Walk in Tauranga. The annual pink walk for awareness is “a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community”.

There were a few thousand there in all their pinkness and lots of loud cheering when our $2938.00 was handed over - it was a proud moment for all of us.

Special thanks to Carters Photographics for making the big cheque - it sure did look impressive!

Alana Dresner

14

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

NZIPP News

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

15

Regional Updates

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates Auckland/Northland Region We are now rapidly approaching Xmas, and no doubt everyone is looking forward to summer. In particular all those wedding photographers out there.

We have a bunch of really good workshops and meeting plans leading up to Xmas. Planning is also well under way to do something in the Northland region, we are really keen to grow the region in terms of membership, as a strong professional community will create both social and economic benefits for photographers in the North.

Last month was also the official launch of the accountability program here in Auckland, and our members should be getting their first phone calls in the next couple of weeks. We are really looking forward to seeing the results and hearing some of the stories.

Next meeting : TBA

Gino Demeer Auckland/Northland - Regional Chairperson

16

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

17

Regional Updates

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates Upcoming Meeting…

Waikato/BOP Regional Seminar Double Shot of Inspiration with Guest Speakers Richard Wood & Bernie Griffiths Venue: Pig& Whistle, Rotorua Date: November 11th, 2014 Time: 1 - 5pm Members: $75 Non-members: $125 Contact Suzanne by 7th Nov to RSVP & pay for seminar E: suzanne@ musaestudios.co.nz Double Shot of Inspiration Another outstanding seminar is on its way! It is a must to put in your diary. Not one , but two sensational speakers are combining to bring inspiration Richard Wood, winner of the NZIPP Photographer of the Year 2014, has the creative genius to inspire you.

Bernie Griffiths is coming from Australia bringing a huge reputation for inspiring photographers to be successful in their business. After a operating a highly successful portrait/wedding business, Bernie has taken that experience to teach other photographers the secrets of marketing and sales.

Richard has been winning Golds with regularity, but also has a photography business that looks outside the square. This will be an afternoon seminar that could take you to another level, whether you have been in business some time or are fairly new and need direction.

Waikato/BOP Regional Meeting Venue: Pig& Whistle, Rotorua Date: November 11th, 2014 Time: 7pm Dinner & Drinks 5:30 - 7pm at own expense

18

Waikato/BOP Region The Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional meeting was held in Tauranga this month inside the Nautilus Restaurant and Espresso Bar, which was a great space to have the Kylie Lyons’ Seminar with our drinks, dinner and monthly regional meeting all in the one space.

The day started off at 1pm with Australian photographer Kylie Lyon’s seminar “Energise Your Business Mojo”. It was a hugely informative seminar, covering aspects such as networking, support, business planning and advice on getting referrals through the door – THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT! After such a great seminar it was onto our monthly image judging; Clarie Birks and Jake Thomas took out the highest honours of the night – this month the images were judged by NZIPP photographers Rachel Callander and Richard Wood – these two judges sure kept it real for us!

I, once again, talked briefly about Russell Hamlet’s idea of introducing an accountability network within the regions and how a framework would soon be in place to get this off the ground – and the framework is out now.

At the beginning of the month all the NZIPP Regional Chairs met for the firsttime “live” on Goggle+, which was a great insight into what the other regions are doing and how we can all work best together where possible. We plan on having this meeting once a month. If you’re not on Goggle+ GO GET ON IT NOW - IT’S AWESOME! Once the general meeting was over – Kylie Lyons talked to us about the AIPP and the APPA Awards, plus a short “Question & Answer” session, which was again great value.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 11 th of November at The Pig ‘n’ Whistle – with the day starting out at 1pm with our seminar “A Double Shot of Inspiration” with ROCKSTAR NZIPP Photographer of the Year and Grand Master Richard Wood and Australian photographer Bernie Griffiths. Drinks and dinner will follow from 5:30pm to 7pm and then our monthly meeting will start at 7pm. Richard and Bernie will do a “Question & Answer” session after the monthly image judging, followed by some group discussions on various topics.

That’s all from me, see you all in ROTORUA.

Mark McKeown - BSc., FNZIPP II Waikato/BOP - Regional Chairperson

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates

Kylie Lyons presenting to Waikato/BOP Region Images by Mark McKeown

A Double Shot‌ Of Inspiration!

With Richard Wood & Bernie Griffiths When: Tuesday 11th November 1:00 - 5:00pm.

Where: The Pig and Whistle - Cnr Haupapa and Tutanekai Streets, Rotorua.

Photo - Richard Wood Photography Contact Suzanne by 7th Nov to RSVP & pay for seminar E: suzanne@musaestudios.co.nz

Another outstanding seminar is on its way! It is a must to put in your diary.

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

Not one, but two sensational speakers are combining to bring inspiration.

19

Regional Updates

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates Wellington Region Rachel Callander flew her lovely self to Wellington to speak to an eager crowd at our monthly NZIPP meet. Rachel talked about her start in wedding photography, including winning the Wedding Photographer of the Year award at the 2011 NZIPP Iris Awards. She explained about how her business exploded in the wake of winning the awards – and the high and lows of what that meant. And she reminded us that the work we do is an incredible honour.

Principally Rachel shared about the loss of her daughter Evie and taught how, through such tragedy, she had come to appreciate life and her work so much more. Evie Callander had been born with a rare chromosomal condition, she was unique in this way, but she was also unqiue in other ways; an electro-magnetic sensitivity (“like a little magneto” Rachel would say), and a disarming joy that drew people in – these were her super-powers.

Rachel had a dream for a book that would document the super-powers of other children around New Zealand. After Evie died, she set about making the Super Power Baby Project a reality. The response was overwhelming, over $85,000 in crowd funded support, over a hundred submissions from New Zealand families who were ready to take part. It was really happening.

The book was recently completed, and printed, not only has it been a commercial success but it has opened up a new way of seeing ‘disability’ for thousands of families. The project has highlighted the incredible gift Evie bestowed on Rachel; the ability to see hope in the midst of the greatest tragedies.

“Your experiences, who you are and how you respond to things in life- shape how you see things. They give you your visual voice. As a photographer, being able to use these experiences and express them is so fulfilling. I find that this [was] powerful and transformative in my own life.

Who YOU are is how you shoot, and it is important and unique.”

– Rachel Callander James Phillips Wellington - Regional Secretary

20

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Regional Updates

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

21

Member Profile

OCTOBER 2014

Member Profile Penny Nichols - FNZIPP Interviewed by Katherine Williams It has only been in the last two years that Penny Nichols has entered the Epson NZIPP Iris Awards and she has already scooped 19 awards from her 19 entries including a revered Gold Distinction, 3 Gold and 3 Silver Distinctions and 6 Silver Awards. 2013 also saw Penny as a finalist in the Commercial Category and then this year a finalist for Portrait Creative Category and also a finalist for the highly esteemed title of NZ Photographer of the Year in 2014.

Penny, I believe you didn’t even have an inkling you were in the running as a finalist for Photographer of the Year, tell us how you felt when you heard your name announced?

It was a complete shock I wasn’t prepared for that at all. I knew I was a finalist in creative portrait and was thrilled to be in that line up. It was an honour to see my 6 images up there with the other finalists. I really hadn’t expected to do that well but excited my images had been so well received.

Actually I still find it a bit hard to believe – it was definitely a career highlight for me.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I have been a working photographer for 12 years I mainly shoot family portraits, weddings and lots and lots of children. I married my graphic designer Pete - we met when we were working on a job together. He created my logo and business cards and a couple of years later we were married. I have 2 children Chloe (13), who models for me sometimes!! And Jade (18) who taught herself make up on you tube and does most of the make up for my shoots. Before I was a photographer I trained as a chef, worked for the Airlines and ran my own fashion label. It took me quite a long time to find the career I really loved - which is photography but I get to use the skills I learnt through fashion design into my award shots. My favourite pastime is op shopping and revamping these amazing old dresses – This used to drive my girls a bit crazy but now they all join in and its creative madness at our house.

Your Gold Distinction from this year of the girl in the library, can you please share a little of the narrative behind this?

My model Anna is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met and highly educated. So I wanted to show the beauty of an educated woman in a time where women were not encouraged to do so. She is sitting alone in her quiet space concentrating on her memoirs being only briefly disturbed to catch a moment a brief glimpse before she returned to her work. She enjoys the solitude. She is beautiful and vulnerable but also intelligent and thoughtful.

22

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile

Iris Awards 2014 - Gold Distinction

Images Š Penny Nichols

Iris Awards 2014 - Gold

Iris Awards 2013 - Gold PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

23

Member Profile

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile Continued...

“I love the designers and artists who create a style – they are my inspiration.”

Last year you entered an emotive photo of a little ballerina into the commercial category which scored Gold, can you tell us a little more about this photograph as well as the body of work that this image was part of?

“Holly wants to be a Ballerina” was part of a calendar that I shot for the Canterbury Child Cancer Foundation to raise money for the families affected by child cancer. It was a voluntary job. Each child decided what they wanted to be when they grew up and I worked around their brief. We wanted the calendar to portray hope and a positive future for these children. Hollie has leukemia, she was diagnosed in 2012 and her chemotherapy will continue until 2015.

We raised approx $40,000, for the child cancer foundation. It was a massive undertaking, one of the problems of course is that the children get ill at the drop of a hat and rescheduling was a constant for these children. It was incredibly rewarding and I was very pleased that my photography was able to help with such a great cause.

Can you tell us a little about the process you go through planning models, locations and styling for creating one of your images?

I like to do a lot of walking and I love to find gorgeous places. This year some of my shots were taken at Gore Bay. My poor models trek with me, sit in rivers, climb electric fences just so I can get my shot. I plan a lot and I will make an outfit just for the location or revamp an existing one. Most of the time my images come out completely different than I had planned as I get very carried away and my imagination goes into overdrive. I usually tell my make up artists what I want and then leave it up to them to take it from there, I like to do my own creative thing with the photos I believe they might like the opportunity to get creative themselves. For my photo with Moko I had an amazing make up artist Laura Aitkenson who just freehand designed a contemporary moko for me so much better than what I would have come up with. Her interpretation of what I wanted was amazing. But creating images like this is a team effort. I just put the idea out there and we all just run with it.

In 2014 your choice of palate has been rich and warm, how do you feel the palates you choose for your imagery effect the feeling being portrayed?

I like soft, dreamy and whimsical. I like the muted and warm colour palettes to suit that look. I am a complete fan of daguerreotype photos and classic paintings that used those tones a lot. My photos don’t particularly suit the more harsh colours and treatments, I do try and do some work with other brighter palettes but I don’t think I’ve mastered it. I just keep getting drawn back to the rich gold undertones.

What are the themes you find yourself coming back to?

Vintage, dreamy and pretty with big dresses…I like feminine and romantic – I haven’t always been into creating these sorts of images especially in my day to day work but I find myself mesmerized by returning to a much more delicate era. I have never been great at minimalistic art although I do admire those artists that make it work.

24

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile

Iris Awards 2014 - Gold

Iris Awards 2014 - Silver Distinction

Iris Awards 2014 - Silver Distinction

Images Š Penny Nichols

Iris Awards 2014 - Silver

Iris Awards 2014 - Silver

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

25

Member Profile

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile Continued...

“My images are mostly of people in secret places just thinking, reflecting and just being alone with their thoughts, dreams and memories.”

I try to do a few photos like that but I always end up getting carried away…. simplicity is just not my thing. I am a big fan of baroque art and I love the classic paintings. I am also a big Christian Dior fan as I love the fashion and styling. Its fantasy and fashion and gorgeousness. I love the designers and artists who create a style – they are my inspiration.

How would you describe the feeling you are trying to create through your photographs?

I like the idea of peace and thoughtfulness. My images are mostly of people in secret places just thinking, reflecting and just being alone with their thoughts, dreams and memories.

Who are the people in your photographs?

My daughter Chloe – sometimes she is into being a model for me sometimes not. She listened to the live streaming and one of the judges referred to her as beautiful so I think she will be a bit more willing for me this year, she doesn’t like my directions at all. Chloe has modeled for a few photography friends now and she gets paid some pocket money so I think I will have to up my game… Anna Dediu – my beautiful Russian model, in the library and featuring in a couple of my other bronze images. Last year she was my Silver Distinction award where she was in a tree. Anna is currently studying for her masters in industrial psychology, she has acted in student films and does quite a lot of modeling work. She is just fantastic to work with she adds drama to my ideas, I give her an idea and she just goes with it her acting ability is such a bonus and totally lends itself to my work. My niece Jess is the model in my Maori themed photo this was her first ever modeling job and she was fantastic lying on those hard volcanic rocks looking beautiful is not easy…My other model Jess (with the piano and white dress) nearly froze to death during that shoot but was incredibly brave and has quite a different look than the other girls, she is a very competent retoucher herself and does amazing composite work. Again she is able to interpret and put her own unique spin on my ideas and I love that. The two girls are Rebecca and Nicole who are actually identical twins but when they are photographed look nothing alike. This was their first time modeling and loved having their hair and make up done. Charlotte in the horse photo is a horse trainer herself – the racehorses were not very keen on being photographed they were spooked by the dresses – this photo was taken for a client. Charlotte she was such a legend posing through some tricky moments not everyone would have coped so well with such a big highly strung horse to deal with, he looks fairly placid in the photo but he wasn’t the easiest model I’ve worked with that’s for sure– there were several carrots hiding in that dress. So much goes into these shoots sometimes I feel guilty taking all of the credit but it really is such a team effort.

I find your subjects to look very elegant and mesmerizing, how do you work with your models to help them achieve the portrayal you are looking for?

26

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

“I have always been a big fan of constructive critique it helps you grow. That’s why I like competitions.”

Member Profile

I actually find once the models have those dresses on and hair and make up is done we have gone to the location it is easy to get the idea of what I am after and they almost slip into character. It is hard to look anything but beautiful and feminine after the prep work has been done…A bit like a bride on her wedding day. I do ask them for the expression I require and to move their head to left or right, hand placement and things like that. I like to think that they are having fun working with me. A lot of these girls that model for me get approached for less than desirable photo shoots so I think they are always pleased that I just want them to look pretty and wear lots of clothes rather than none at all – If I am asking someone new to model for me I always show them samples of my work to show them what I am all about But really if you can shoot weddings this type of work would come naturally.

Do you have a personal favourite from all of your images?

Actually no, to be honest I was sick of them all before they left for the Iris Awards. That’s probably a bit harsh but I spent so much time with those particular photos that I was happy to put them in their packaging and send them away. I guess if I really had to choose my most “special” image is probably the image from 2013 of Anna in the tree with the blue dress on – I’ve revisited it from the previous Iris awards now after not looking at it for a while and have decided that its rather nice and I guess it was the start of my big dress romantic style images that led me to shoot more of that style.

How long can it take you to create one finished piece?

Once I have chosen the particular image it can take several hours – then I will save it and come back to it another day with fresh eyes and I’ll either do a bit more or start all over again – I quite often find that I have overdone the work and need to pull it back a bit – or that something I did at 4am after 30 coffees doesn’t look so great the next day. The images I like initially aren’t always the ones I like a month later…I don’t do composites so really the images just need refining and perfecting – then a bit of playing, a bit more perfecting, another treatment or 2 then deleting them because they look a bit tacky – then another treatment then I start all over again…so a few hours over a few days…a lot of trial and error – a lot of coffee and a bit of side tracking to Facebook and Trade Me. The image of Anna in the library really only took me an hour or so, it was my least worked image of them all – whereas the little ballerina shot from 2013 took several hours because there were stacks of chairs in the reflection of the mirror and ugly curtains that needed to go.

Your husband Pete tells me there’s a lot of late nights for you creating your images, is that true?

Yes poor Pete…But he gets to watch his Kung Fu movies in total peace without me in his ear moaning about how boring they are…or he will have alone time with his motorbike - I do go and disturb him frequently for his critique.

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

27

Member Profile

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile Continued...

“I was pleased to hear how much the judges are into interpretation and into the mindset of the author.”

He is a bit brutal sometimes in his delivery but he has the graphic designer eye which is very helpful. He sees details in my images that I don’t always see…I have always been a big fan of constructive critique it helps you grow.

That’s why I like competitions. The small hours between 1am and 4am are so quiet and peaceful – no phone, no disturbances – definitely my favourite time. I really do think you need an understanding partner if you are going to be a photographer.

What frustrates you?

I have no time for armchair experts and know everything without actually doing it …. I am inspired by people who get up and give things a go.

You attended the Iris Awards judging in Rotorua for the first time in 2014, do you think watching the judging process will develop your direction further?

That was very interesting and a bit of an eye opener. I was surprised when they all got out of their chairs and stood so close to the image… One of mine had a lot of noise so I knew that wasn’t going to bode well..I was surprised at the amount of discussion over some of the images including my own, and was interested to hear the judges interpretation of each image. I think it is a very tough job when the judge gets such a short amount of time with each image to then judge. I really enjoyed being a part of the judging process and very pleased with the outcome. I think it will definitely help me further my images – I was pleased to hear how much the judges are into interpretation and into the mindset of the author.

Can you tell us a little about your business over the last few years and what direction you’re headed in now?

Business has been all over the place for the last few years as most of us know – I have tried to become a more all round photographer so I can take on lots of different work – I think you need to be open to change in a changing market. I went and studied business to improve my skills in that direction – Studying business from non-photographers point of view and seeing things from a completely different angle can be a good thing sometimes. I have spent the last several years working insane hours and continually pushing myself…I’m not complaining I like it like that, but now as my children are older I want to take a bit more of a laid back approach I’m a bit over the constant craziness. I have no plans to change direction completely but to manage better what I have created and get more time to do the more creative work that I love to do.

You tackle a few different genres of portraiture in there, what has each one of these taught you?

Each time I do any type of a location shoot I am tested on my ability to deal with different lighting. I use some LED lights for my indoor shoots but mostly natural. I am not really interested in carting around lights and equipment so my concentration is creating mood and the image I want. I think the posing is still the hardest thing to perfect in portraiture and every time I do any kind of photo shoot I am still always learning.

28

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Member Profile

“I think you need to be open to change in a changing market.”

What first got you into photography?

Initially it was to take photos of the clothes I made as I used to have a friend taking the photos but I think I became really annoying so decided I would do it myself…So I bought my Minolta 7000 did a weekend photography course and away I went. I then travelled overseas for the next 7 years so my camera was just bought out for my travel photos. It wasn’t until I got back to New Zealand had an amazing job that I wanted to be in for the rest of my life, I had 2 children then got made redundant that I had a big life dilemma and decided to take on photography - I did lots of courses and now here I am… still going strong.

Do you have a ‘typical’ day?

Not really – but I work everyday and very rarely have a day off…other than a planned holiday of course. The fact that I don’t have a typical day is what I love so much about working as a photographer.

Can we anticipate big plans for Epson NZIPP Iris Awards 2015?

I have lots of ideas buzzing around in a chaotic state in my head so I will attempt to put those in some kind of order and hopefully come up with some “wow” images – I’ve been off on a few of my walks and found some nice spots. I am hoping my daughter Jade will come along and enter this year too that would be really something. Perhaps I will try entering a different category this year…

Iris Awards 2014 - Bronze

Images © Penny Nichols

Iris Awards 2014 - Bronze PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

29

What’s In My Bag...?

NOVEMBER 2014

What’s In My Bag...?

Susannah Blatchford - Canterbury/Westland Hello. I’m Susannah or Susie as most people know me. I am now based in Christchurch having been away for several years exploring and living in the UK and Europe. Shooting mainly destination weddings whilst away, I kept things quite basic, photographing primarily on my L series Canon 50mm 1.2, 24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8.

Since returning, I seem to have accumulated a lot more gear, a new favourite being the Sigma 35mm. I love shooting on my MarkIIIs but still carry around a 6D in case of complete system failure or I fall backwards into a pond. I have a few gimmicky cameras, such as my Diana F and Polaroid 300 which I usually use to take a few snaps of the bride and groom on. This is mainly for packaging purposes or to give as a wee keepsake on the day.

I have recently picked up the Samyang 24mm tilt shift which is quite fun to play with and a lazy alternative to mastering the art of free lensing.

I lug this lot around in a particularly sturdy Kato Bug 205 back pack which is perfect for looking like you’re carrying 7kgs as opposed to 30kg when plane hopping. I use my Billingham Hadley bag which is great in all weather conditions when shooting portraits or roaming the streets with just a couple of lenses. www.susannahblatchford.com

30

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Photo Competitions

Photo Competitions 2015 Sony World Photography Awards - Call for Entries Open to photographers of all ages and skill levels, the Awards have welcomed over 700,000 entries from more than 230 countries since their launch in 2007.

Join us as we seek to identify and champion the best photography of 2014.

Entries Close: 08/01/2015 Click here for more information: http://worldphoto.org/about-the-sonyworld-photography-awards/

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

31

Lacklands LP has been appointed as Nikon Distributor by Nikon Australia, and staff shall commence support of Nikon Imaging and Sports Optic products effective immediately in order to restore efficient distribution throughout the New Zealand.

NOVEMBER 2014 Industry News

James Murray, General Manager Sales and Marketing Nikon Australia, said of the new partnership. “Lacklands has a proven track record not just distributing leading brands, but building those brands with fresh ideas and executing results through their retail partnerships”

“Nikon Australia is delighted to be working with Lacklands to introduce a new chapter and approach for Nikon and expand our availability in the country. We look forward to working with their team to drive Nikon as a market leader and positively influence the overall New Zealand imaging business from here on,” added Murray.

-­‐ ENDS -­‐

Industry News

Nikon a nnounces N ew Z ealand d istribution p artnership w ith L acklands L P

32

-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐ October 3, 2014

SYDNEY -­‐ Nikon is delighted to announce a new partnership responsible for the promotion, sales and distribution of Nikon Imaging Products within New Zealand.

Lacklands LP has been appointed as Nikon Distributor by Nikon Australia, and staff shall commence support of Nikon Imaging and Sports Optic products effective immediately in order to restore efficient distribution throughout the New Zealand.

James Murray, General Manager Sales and Marketing Nikon Australia, said of the new partnership. “Lacklands has a proven track record not just distributing leading brands, but building those brands with fresh ideas and executing results through their retail partnerships”

“Nikon Australia is delighted to be working with Lacklands to introduce a new chapter and approach for Nikon and expand our availability in the country. We look 1 forward to working with their team to drive Nikon as a market leader and positively influence the overall New Zealand imaging business from here on,” added Murray.

-­‐ ENDS -­‐

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

Industry News

UP TO 25% TRADE DISCOUNT FOR NZIPP MEMBERS

Handcrafted quality photo books for portrait and wedding albums, proof books, portfolios and fine-art limited edition publications.

Craft unique photo books from our 12 sizes, 12 papers, 6 binding options and 40 cover materials then accessorise with premium presentation boxes, CD folios or cards.

Register and download the software at www.momentopro.co.nz/nzipp

Proud sponsors of

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

33

NOVEMBER 2014

Who is Who is Vivian Vivian Maier?

Maier?

This month it’s movie time!

In 2007, originally destined for the garbage bin, a collection containing well over 100,000 negatives, 3,000 prints, hundreds of rolls of film, homemade documentary films, audio recordings and stacks of carefully organised newspaper articles, was discovered by author and street photographer John Maloof. This collection, taken over a period of about 50 years, was the work of professional nanny Vivian Maier, who, in her spare time, wandered the streets of the cities she lived documenting city life.

With a posthumous reputation as one of America’s most accomplished and insightful street photographers, thanks to Maloof, Maier’s work has now been released for the world to see. This MUST SEE movie “Finding Vivian Maier”, traces the life of this self-taught photographer, who is now considered one of the 20th century’s greatest street photographers.

After you’ve seen the movie, there are also two books available through the Vivian Maier official website, with links to Amazon for purchasing:

Vivian Maier Self Portrait Round Mirror Repeating Image © Vivian Maier/Maloof Collection

http://www.vivianmaier.com/vivian-maier-books/

Finding Vivian Maier Finding Vivian Maier

New Zealand film release - November 6, 2014 AUCKLAND Academy Cinema Rialto Auckland Bridgeway Cinema WAIHEKE Waiheke Island Community Cinema GISBORNE Dome Cinema

WELLINGTON Penthouse Cinema Paramount Shoreline Cinema Waikanae PARAPARAUMU Downtown Cinemas Coastlands

NAPIER The Globe Theatrette

CHRISTCHURCH Academy Metro Gold Cinema Alice Cinematheque

HAVELOCK NORTH Cinema Gold

DUNEDIN Rialto Dunedin

PALMERSTON NORTH Cinema Gold For more venues and screenings around the country: http://vendettafilms.com/FindingVivianMaier 34 PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

Your Chance to WIN a Double Your Chance to WIN a Double Ticket to “Finding Vivian Maier” Ticket to “Finding Vivian Maier” Courtesy of the film’s NZ distributors, Vendetta Films, we have double tickets to give away to three lucky NZIPP members.

For your chance to win, PM your details, along with your answer to the following question, to Kaye Davis via Facebook.

Who is the photographer known as the grandfather of modern photojournalism (and street photography)?

Clue - his reportage style was coined as “the decisive moment”.

Entries close 4pm, November 4, 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

Infocus Speaker Update

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

35

Industry News

36

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

NOVEMBER 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

Corporate Members

Corporate Members A special thank you to our Corporate Members for their continuing support:

PRO REPORT Member Magazine of the NZIPP

37

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

www.nzipp.org.nz