As many of you are aware Christchurch was devastated by a massive earthquake on Tuesday the 22nd of February. When the quake hit I was in my office thats 6 floors up within the CBD, thankfully everyone was ok and we all managed to get out unharmed.

It’s hard to describe what it actually felt like, there was no warning, the building just shook. It was so violent that I jumped up hung onto a huge column for a second then I realised that this was a real bad place to be and I dived under my desk. Just for a moment I actually thought that the building was going to go.  Before leaving the office I grabbed what I could carry, my camera (film camera) and my bike. Once outside another big aftershock ripped through, I saw Roberts face as he watched two nearby buildings physically move apart and then smash together. It wasn’t until I started to make my home that I got to see the true nature what just happened to our beautiful city. The images I took directly after the quake are away being processed, I will have them back later this week.

The images below are from the 3rd and 4th day after the quake. To see more image click here.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker addresses the media.

More images inside…

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Filed under: Personal

For Christmas my brother gave me our father’s old Pentax ME camera to add to the collection. At first I thought it was going to sit on the shelf next to my other old camera bodies, that was until I found a roll of film and started to rediscover the lovely process of shooting film again. It has been with me nearly everyday since, loaded with different varieties of B&W Film. I still laugh at myself when I press the shutter and eagerly look on the back to see nothing but a label that my Dad put there years ago. The anticipation of waiting for the film to be developed, the mixed emotions of seeing the prints has been a lovely reminder of how I should be slowing down and really appreciating what a beautiful medium photography is.

The next roll to be developed is going to very interesting.  I shot a roll of Ilford 400 during the aftermath of the earthquake,  is away being processed as we speak.

My good friend Dani, looking out at the main street in lyttelton.

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Filed under: Film, Personal

My first Bill Board..

This shoot was for Christchurch City Council to promote their waterwise campaign (obviously).  Q Brand Agency were the clever people that came up with the concept and the brief seemed quite simple at first. Little did I know, pouring water is art form in itself. Once we got the pour right getting it to match up with the top image was also very challenging.

If I hadn’t of been shooting tethered (directly to my laptop) this shoot would of been a disaster, I was able to drop the image directly into the art work and then tweak each shot. Thanks to Robert from Q for his patience and great pouring skills.

Client: Christchurch City Council

Agency: Q Brand Agency

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Filed under: In print

Now that’s what a Top Gear competition winner said to me when I rocked up in a new Landrover Discovery down Queenstown. And yes I do agree, my job rocks !! (most of the time)

Now this is a two part story just like the shoot. The first part (the good part) was to shoot a Landrover Discovery 4 for the “Top Gear SUV of the year award”, the second part was to take two convertibles down to one of the wettest part of the south Island. (Part 2, the not so good part)

Thankfully, Cameron (TG Editor) allowed Mark & myself to get started straight away with the Discovery, late evening in Queenstown was too good not take advantage of and I really wanted to try and nail a hero shot so to relieve some pressure.  Not really knowing where to take the Disco I went to see the guys at Nomad safaris for a bit of advice, in true kiwi style a little bit of advice ended up with a guided tour up the Arrow river. Whilst Mark was having great fun driving the Discovery through rivers (quite fast), resulting in my camera bag getting a soaking I was battling thousands of blood sucking evil sandflies. The last shot was taken up the access road to Coronet peak, and is a stitch of 3 images.

Thanks to Mark for assisting and also looking after the retouching.  http://cornellison.net/ and also the the guys at Nomad Safari’s.

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Filed under: In print

The trouble with shooting fashion is that you always have to wait until the range has been released before you can show off the images. Thankfully summer is here and so is the latest and greatest from  Chalky Digits.

The shoot took place back in May at Okains Bay over on the Peninsular. The weather was awesome and the day was full on, but great fun.

Thanks to Simon Waterhouse for assisting, the folks from Chalky Digits and Murry for use of his superb VW.

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Filed under: Uncategorized

As far as work goes I’m not sure it gets much than this. I was commissioned by Audi New Zealand to provide photography and a video of their extraordinary event known as the ‘Audi Ice Experience’. Simon Waterhouse from PXL accompanied me on the job, while I concentrated on the photography simon did and awesome job capturing the action on video.
The event was hosted down in Queenstown at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground where the participants truly get to experience what it’s like to drive at their limit on snow and ice.

Click on image to see larger version.

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Filed under: Uncategorized

I recently secured a deal with Porsche Motorsport to be their official photographer for the coming season.  I have Andrew from Championship Digital looking after the digital assets which leaves me to concentrate on capturing the action on and off the track.

Filed under: Uncategorized

These might be the last photos from the Warehouse ! I did a shoot with Andrew & Jim just before I left for England and before the earthquake hit Christchurch. The warehouse was on it’s last legs anyway but I hear on the grape vine that it is no longer.  On a brighter note I really like the feel of these shots, the guys were patient and pushing the limits for me.

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Filed under: Personal

A while back I teamed up with Time Zone 1 advertising agency here in Christchurch. The brief was to capture the essence of Ronald McDonald House South Island for their annual report. The shoot was great fun and meeting the wonderful kids, parents and staff members was truly humbling.  The images below are taken from the final report. I believe the design and images convey the happiness and support that the house provides to thousands of families that are coping with the emotionally journey of having a sick child.

Since my first meeting at RMH I have been blown away by what they do,  I have a great relationship with the house and I will continue to support RMH if which ever way I can.

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Filed under: In print