On The Up: Bay of Plenty photographers recognised at 2025 NZIPP Iris Awards

Scott was additionally a finalist for Professional Commercial Photographer of the Year.

She stated it was a “real thrill” to be recognised amongst such a gifted group {of professional} photographers.

“To make it to be a finalist and get up there is always a thrill at the best of times.”

Her high-scoring picture within the animal class was taken in Poland of a hippopotamus underwater.

“It was quite an unexpected thing to see.”

She stated it was taken at a zoo, and it took about an hour to get the proper shot.

“The water was so filthy that when the hippo did lapse, I could only see it for a split second, so I had about two seconds to take the photo.”

Scott began taking pictures when she was younger after her mother and father purchased her a plastic white Kodak digital camera.

“I used to run around the place photographing, and I went to art school, trained to be a painter, but ended up taking up photography.”

She grew to become a information photographer in 1987 and spent 20 years within the job.

Scott stated her work was at all times about what was occurring in her life on the time.

“Whether it’s a creative, documentary, or an animal image, I just photograph what’s around me, and I seldom ever set out to go and create an image.”

She stated pictures was her approach of expressing what she sees or feels.

“Everybody can pick up a camera and take a photograph, and the only difference is how you see the world.

“That’s a totally individual thing, and that comes from your life experiences, nothing else.”

Bay of Plenty-based photographer Rochelle Withell gained Professional Wedding Creative Photographer of the Year.

She stated she didn’t enter awards typically, however was motivated by the photographs she had taken.

“It’s such a privilege to capture these chapters of life.”

Her planet scene picture was impressed by a pair who married throughout one of many first auroras the Bay of Plenty had the possibility to expertise.

“It struck me that every couple’s wedding day is like their own little planet, and I started to play with that idea, and this was the result.”

Withell stated coming into the awards had pushed her creatively, challenged her technically, and linked her with a supportive group.

“I used to be one of those photographers who scoffed at awards, but if a photographer wants to grow, be inspired, and be open to constructive criticism, I can’t recommend it enough.”

She stated “connection” impressed her pictures.

“I know it’s an overused and maybe clichéd word, but it’s the connections I see on people’s most special days, with their most special people, that inspire me.”

Justin Aitken, primarily based in Tauranga, was additionally a finalist for Professional Wedding Creative Photographer of the Year and has gained the class in earlier years.

He stated it was at all times nice to be recognised by his friends within the business.

“I have met some of the best people in this industry and made some amazing friends; the inspiration that everyone gets from one another is positive.”

Aitken approached this yr’s awards with “humour” and “a bit of fun”.

“The common theme seemed to be the absolute hilarity from some of the weddings I had done last season.”

He stated what he beloved about modern-day weddings was they weren’t conventional and a lot might occur within the blink of a watch.

“If I can be there to capture some of these moments and provide couples with an immortalised memory of it all, then I’m stoked.”

Aitken stated his youngsters had been those who impressed his pictures.

“They’re a daily reminder to me of why photography is so important; the time just passes by so quickly.”

He stated when it got here to pictures, there would at all times be a spot for many who created significant work.

“Everyone has an oven, but not everyone can cook well, and it really does show when people care about their craft.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived within the area for a number of years and studied journalism at Massey University.