Events
Although we’re in the middle of a housing shortage, there’s no need to build an ugly new plastic subdivision smack bang next to such an important historical and archaelogical site for Maori and Aotearoa.
What an awesome family day out at Ihumatao. Keep fighting the good fight!!!
A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of shooting an event at Shed 10 here in Auckland to promote Australia as a business event destination. And although I’m a staunch kiwi through and through, if this was anything like what they’d put on at home then it sure would be an amazing location to hold a conference or business get together….. With one of Australia’s top opera singers, dinner on the Melbourne Open center court, the most amazing spread of cheeses and other savories and a beautiful light art installation. You gotta give it to those Aussies, I think they can probably host a pretty epic event or party.
Ive shot a lot of events over the last year but have been too lazy (and busy) to post anything from them so its about time I posted some of the awesome events celebrating our amazing Kiwi achievers
So last Sunday I came home from a South Auckland motorbike ride to find half of Auckland's Tongan community "protesting" and " celebrating" in front of my apartment on Quay St in downtown Auckland. Soooo much red, flag waving, dancing, big smiles and laughter. If this was the day after losing the semi finals of the Rugby League I can't wait to see the day after winning
So I had to get amongst it... I dont think we'll be seeing anything like that in the Auckland CBD in a while
In case I hadnt mentioned it Ive had an exhibition going on spread along Dominion Road for 3 weeks now. Ive recived some pretty good media coverage from the likes of Newshub and Bfm. Super nice to be able to share the project with the community.
Its been great to go out to Dominion Road and watch people stop and look at the images, see kids pointing at them and in general check out the reactions of passersby. Ive also had a few really cool emails from people who I photographed months ago who have seen themselves on the street and have been so positive about the whole project.
Thanks so much to Natalie at Lot23 for all her support and energy from the first day I approached her. Theres still time to swing into Lot23, grab a coffee and check out all the portraits in one place. http://lot23.co.nz/
Thanks to Gary and the Dominion Road Business Association for funding the street images. http://www.dominionrd.co.nz/
And big thanks to the Signit Signs, Mt Eden guys, Dave and Dave for their amazing work in printing and mounting the street images. https://www.signit.co.nz/
Awesome to spend a night last week shooting for the NEXT magazine Woman of the Year Awards. Some pretty amazing woman there getting recognized. Made me feel proud to live in a country where we have such strong driven woman. And as for the overall winner Kristine Bartlett, such a legend I had to force my way in there to hug such an amazing lady!!
Woohoo its almost here....Installing my open air exhibition tomorrow on Dominion Road from Mt Eden all the way to Mt Roskill.
On Thursday I had a fun night shooting the Magazine Publishers Awards at Motat.
Awesome to meet some of my favourite photographers, journalists and editors and celebrate their achievements.
Last weekend I had a lot of laughs photographing the cast of Dominion Road, The Musical.
I entertained myself by making them do ridiculous things and telling them they would make for good photos!! 😂
But in all seriousness Dominion Rd The Musical was an awesome portrayal of Kiwi life today and a truly New Zealand story.
The thing I love about photography is that I get to attend events and meet and learn from people I never would have dreamed of meeting.
This last week I was able to give some time to a number of organizations involved with World Aids Day on December 1st. Its a virus I didn't know much about and carries a lot of negative stigma still in our society. I enjoyed meeting the people who work really hard to raise awareness around HIV and support those affected.
Unbelievable to think that last year in New Zealand we had the highest rate of infection yet even when we are more aware of the risks of unsafe sex than ever.
Here's some images from Tuesday nights panel discussion and Thursdays Cabaret at Te Pou Theater in New Lynn.
Body Positive Inc. Te Pou
Super fun afternoon on Sunday at the Base Fm Rooftop Sessions on top of the Rydges Hotel with Felicity from Touch My Junk in a prequel to Splore
It took my legs a few days to recover from running the Round the Bays last Sunday. I'm definitely not as fit as I used to be and its a good reminder of how lazy I've been in the last 12 months or so!!
I had a great time with the beautiful kids and their whanau of the Auckland Down Syndrome Association and thought I'd share some pics from the fun day.
Looking forward to the 20th March and the Buddy Walk in Mt Eden
One of my favourite New Zealand artists has teamed up with Tuhoe activist Tame Iti to produce a series of paintings that are now on exhibition here in Auckland at the OD Gallery on Karangahape Road.
The exhibition is entitled Ko Koe Ko Au meaning You and I. The theme behind the project was to illustrate how Maori and non-Maori can work together to achieve common goals. A true statement about the only way Aotearoa as a nation can move forward in the future.
I have a real respect for people like Tame who are willing to speak their true beliefs and create conversation and argument around subjects that need to be discussed rather than ignored. I enjoyed seeing another way in which Tame expresses himself through his art and the way he and Owen collaborated. As always OD's portraits are epic!!
