I began my career as a nature and natural history photographer. My work has recently evolved away from natural history and now focuses mostly on sustainability issues.
To me, sustainability means the sustainability of life in general. This topic can range from environmental/conservation issues to documenting urbanisation, health and poverty issues.
A great deal of my work is now centred on the South Pacific region where these issues are often hidden, but are the cause of many of the problems faced by Pacific nations.
My New Zealand work encompasses both the rural and urban areas. As well as photographing/writing for a variety of magazines I also work on a number of long-term personal projects for future publication and gallery exhibitions.
By working on long-term personal projects I can delve deep into the subject and get to the heart of each issue. It also gives me the chance to gain the confidence of those involved,
Below is a brief overview of projects planned for 2008/2009:
New Zealand projects:
• Continued coverage of NZ and its people/culture/destinations.
• Pacific culture in NZ. (Pacific Islanders esp. Samoan, Tongan, Niuean & Cook Islanders
• living in NZ). E.g. Pacific culture transposed into NZ.
• Permaculture, sustainability, environmental/conservation projects.
Overseas projects (most focussing on sustainability issues):
Separate photo/writing trips to:
• East Timor. Long term project focussing on IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) & projects/people/NGOs helping IDPs. (Travelled from 12th May-5th June)
• Papua New Guinea. Focussing on growing HIV problem/urbanisation, squatter settlements, poverty etc. (Possibly West Papua IDP camps in PNG).
• Vanuatu. (3nd trip in 12 months) Focussing on urbanisation (squatter settlements, poverty, TB etc). (Trip combining Fiji & Solomon Islands)
• Fiji. Focussing on urbanisation (squatter settlements, poverty).
• Possibly, Thai/Myanmar border IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.
My images have been published in books, textbooks, magazines, CDs, museum displays, calendars, annual business reports and newspaper articles and ads.
Most of my magazine work encompasses writing and photography. My articles and images are regularly published in the following publications;
NZ Geographic, NZ Listener, NZ Gardener, Growing Today, Australian Photography, Wild Magazine, NZ Wilderness, Lifestyle Farmer, Organic NZ, Heritage Matters, NZ Outdoor, Dish magazine, Essentially Food, Farm Trader, Dairy Exporter, Countrywide, Eco-Living, Taranaki Daily News, Stratford Press, The Dominion Post (Major daily),
The Field (UK).
I also work with two photo libraries:
• NHPA Natural History Photo Agency (UK) www.nhpa.co.uk
• Hedgehog House (NZ) www.hegehoghouse.com
