Join us for an evening of inspiration, creativity and photography

Join us for the inaugural Young Photographer Award, the first event of its kind in New Zealand celebrating young creative talent aged 7 to 18.

Over the past year we have run more than 80 workshops and inspired over 180 kids to try photography. Many arrived with no previous experience and discovered a new way to express themselves. Some even chose photography as their future career. Our workshops are fully inclusive and also support kids who may need extra learning help, giving them a space to slow down, focus and build confidence through creativity.

Held in Lower Hutt, Wellington, this evening is all about creativity, wonder and community. Students who took part in our photography workshops will have their work displayed at the event, and our nominated young photographers will receive special awards recognising their talent, effort and unique way of seeing the world.

A creative evening for everyone

The event will be inspiring not only for young photographers but also for adults, families and anyone who enjoys creativity and photography. It is a great chance to support young talent, enjoy beautiful images and be part of a welcoming creative community.

Bring your friends and whānau. The more support we show our young photographers, the more their creativity shines and inspires others.

Guest speakers

We are excited to welcome four inspiring speakers:

Etanah Lalau Talapa

The evening will open with a talk by Etanah Lalau Talapa, a multi-disciplinary artist and curator of Afega and Sa’anapu heritage from Samoa. Etanah holds a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design from the College of Creative Arts at Massey University. Her work spans public installations, digital art, mixed media and photography. She often explores themes of motherhood, family lineage and the lived experiences of the Pacific diaspora in Aotearoa. Her practice focuses on discovering new visual languages that connect traditional and contemporary creative forms while honouring her Samoan cultural heritage.

Chris McKeown

Chris is a Wellington photographer whose work has been nominated for multiple awards and published widely. His work appears in calendars, prints, magazines, exhibitions, and large murals at Wellington Hospital, and he shoots the night sky, landscapes, and performance events. By day he is an executive, leadership mentor, and public speaker, with a passionate belief in compassionate leadership. Chris will share his journey to realising that slowing down and looking up can shift how we feel, think, and see the world and each other.

Miro Kennett

Miro Kennett (she/her) is a teen underwater photographer from Aotearoa NZ. Her work centres on capturing the underwater world and our connection to it. She spends most of her time photographing in Te Whanganui a Tara at Taputeranga Marine Reserve, exploring the coast and noticing how the ocean shifts each day. She has also captured images in the Poor Knights and Fiji. Through her photography she aims to share the beauty and life beneath the surface and inspire others to care for our marine environments.

Gareth Davies

Originally from Gloucester in the UK, Gareth has been passionate about photography since borrowing his grandparents’ Kodak film camera as a kid. He trained as a darkroom tech and photographer in the Royal Air Force, later becoming a photography instructor. After moving to Aotearoa, he went on to spend many years teaching forensic photography with NZ Police. Gareth now spends his spare time exploring Kapiti’s beaches and marine reserves, sharing his love of photography with anyone keen to learn.