Mieke Boynton
Tom Rae
Eilish Burt
Layton Woodcroft
Matt Palmer
John Cowpland
Sarah McGregor
Jen Raoult
Melanie Jenkins
Leigh Schneider
Katie Kolenberg
Diederik van Heyningen
Alex Cearns
Paul Reiffer
Esther Bunning
MIEKE BOYNTON
Mieke Boynton is a full-time landscape photographer based in the picturesque alpine township of Bright in Victoria, Australia, where she and her husband Matt Palmer own and operate their “Alpine Light” fine art photography gallery. Together, they showcase photographs from their stunning local area and their many travels around Australia and overseas.
Mieke’s landscape photographs celebrate the artistry of Nature and its breathtaking beauty. Her distinctive imagery has earned her many accolades, including becoming the first Australian and first woman to win the prestigious Epson International Pano Awards in 2019, and receiving the Silver Medal in the Landscape/Nature category in the 2025 World Photographic Cup. She was also named NZIPP Australian Professional Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and the NZIPP Australian Travel Photographer of the Year in 2025. Mieke is a Master with Distinction of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, a Master of the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) and a Grand Master of the Australian Photographic Society (APS).
As a former high school teacher, Mieke enjoys mentoring other photographers and her educational skills have helped her to become a respected judge and presenter both in Australia and overseas.
Web: miekeboynton.com Instagram: @miekeboyntonphotography
Web: alpinelight.com.au Instagram: @alpinelightgallery
LAYTON WOODCROFT
Videography and Content Creating expert Layton is here to help you use the skills you already have to level up your marketing; get more clients, sell more images and secure more bookings.
A SONY Alpha Advocate and full time videographer & content creator. Layton is passionate about new & experienced creators find their confidence.
With 164k followers on Instagram alone, he’s coming to share with you insights, tips and tricks on creating amazing content to level up your game. Based in Auckland, he owns and runs Layton Creative. Where he specialises in delivering visual and narrative experiences that captivate and engage audiences. Dedicated to producing high-quality video and photography, as well as campaigns tailored specifically to your brand’s identity and goals.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your social media presence, launch a new product, or create engaging marketing. From concept to final delivery, Layton Creative is here to share his knowledge.
Web: laytoncreative.co.nz
Instagram: @layton_video
SARAH McGREGOR
Sarah McGregor is the 2025 New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year and the creative force behind Minime Photography, a Nelson-based studio recognised for its imaginative and emotive visual storytelling. With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Sarah has developed a distinctive creative voice that blends technical excellence with conceptual depth.
Sarah began her photographic journey in 2011, specialising in newborn and family portraiture. Her work has since evolved into a unique fusion of narrative, creativity, and technical mastery, placing concept and emotional impact at the heart of her practice. She is celebrated for her ability to elevate ordinary scenes into extraordinary visual stories through careful planning, light, composition, and post-production finesse.
In 2025, Sarah was awarded multiple prestigious honours, including: New Zealand Professional Newborn Photographer of the Year, New Zealand Professional Portrait Creative Photographer of the Year, and the ultimate prize, New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year. Additionally, one of Sarah’s entries achieved a historic milestone at the 2025 Iris Awards by receiving a perfect score of 100—the highest score ever awarded for a single image.
Her approach emphasises ingenuity, problem-solving, and artistic intent, demonstrating that compelling conceptual imagery can be achieved through vision and creative ingenuity rather than reliance on extensive resources. Sarah’s work continues to inspire both clients and fellow photographers, illustrating how thoughtful concept development and creative editing can transform visual narratives.
Sarah is an NZIPP Accredited Professional Photographer and Grand Master of Photography. Through her workshops, she shares practical insights and creative strategies that empower photographers to push the boundaries of their craft.
Web: minimephotos.co.nz
Facebook: minimephotography
Instagram: @minimephotos
LEIGH SCHNEIDER
Leigh Schneider is a Conceptual Fine Art Photographer from New Zealand. Recently back in her homeland after a decade in Germany, Leigh currently works as a professional Artist and Arts Facilitator over a large mental health service.
Her Fine Art work is deeply symbolic, addressing universal and existential themes. Leigh crafts her pieces over weeks and months by hand, creating environments that feel familiar yet otherworldly. Her work is not to be confused with escapism, rather serving as a visual reminder of the capacity we all contain to shape a better reality.
Since making her artist debut in 2022, Leigh’s work has been awarded, published, exhibited and collected internationally. She is the Professional Grand Prize Winner of the 2025 International Fine Art Photography Awards and has been a finalist multiple times in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and IPA International Photo Awards, among others. Her pieces have been added to collections across Australasia, Europe and the United States.
As an advocate for mental health, Leigh has worked directly with hundreds in the mental health system, guiding authentic and purpose driven artwork creation. Her work as an educator and speaker encourages the same.
Web: leighschneider.com
Instagram: @leighschneider
Facebook: leighschneider
Youtube: @leighschneider
ALEX CEARNS
Australian photographer Alex Cearns OAM crafts exquisite animal portraits that convey the intrinsic joy people find in animals. As Creative Director of Perth-based Houndstooth Studio, she has photographed more than 15,000 pets in her studio. Her clients include engaged pet lovers, leading corporate brands and dozens of Australian and international animal charities and conservation organisations. Her images have been published extensively in worldwide media, books, magazines and ad campaigns.
An undisputed leader in her niche, Alex is the recipient of more than 350 awards for her photography, business and philanthropy. She is an Ambassador for Tamron, Profoto, a BenQ key opinion leader, Studio Ninja, SanDisk, Ilford Imaging Australia, and Spider Camera Holster.
Deeply committed to the well-being of all creatures great and small, Alex is considered one of Australia’s most passionate champions and voices for animal rescue and wildlife conservation. Her advocacy and philanthropy were distinguished with the highly esteemed Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) from the Council for the Order of Australia for her service to charitable organisations through photography.
Alex is the published author of eight books, the last five with Harper Collins Australia. Her influence among animal lovers, photographers and the pet industry includes a strong following on social media, encompassing over 170,000 followers. She contributes regularly to magazines, blogs, webinars and podcasts, and has appeared on television, and spoken on radio, on dozens of occasions. In her down time she is a professional film reviewer and loves the art of cinema.
An accomplished public speaker, Alex’s warmth, humour and uplifting visual storytelling engage her audience in her passions for business, photography and animals. She has spoken on many conference stages and presented in four countries. After almost a decade of mentoring and coaching fellow photographers on how to achieve their business goals, Alex launched The Pet Photography Coach and now mentors photographers and small business owners all over the world. An esteemed and well-respected photography judge, Alex is sought out by magazines, international competitions and camera clubs to judge their photographic competitions.
Alex is World Expedition’s first female wildlife photography tour leader, taking like-minded animal lovers to some of the world’s most exciting, ‘off the beaten track’ animal destinations. She has travelled to all seven continents, photographing wildlife.
She lives in Perth, Australia, with her partner and three special needs rescue dogs, Marshmallow, Gigi, and Figaro, and claims that animals are her “favourite kind of people.”
Web: houndstoothstudio.com.au thepetphotographycoach.com.au
Facebook: HoundstoothStudio
TOM RAE
Facebook: Tom Rae Photography
MATT PALMER
Matt Palmer is a photographic artist and runs a landscape photography gallery with his wife Mieke Boynton in Alpine Victoria.
Having photographed almost everything (except babies and galaxies) in a career spanning 25 years and counting, his key passion is producing projects such as ASH, 8 Limbs, Faces of Islam, Images of Note and Icelandic Echoes. Matt also frequently judges photography competitions around the world and teaches judging skills to emerging judges.
Passionate about our natural world and photographs that tell a story or establish a sense of place, Matt has won a diverse list of international and national awards including two time Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year (AIPP, NZIPP), two time Australian Documentary Photographer of the Year (AIPP, NZIPP), two time Australian Travel Photographer of the Year (NZIPP, APA) and Australian Sports Photographer of the Year (AIPP).
Jen RAOult
Jen Raoult is a French-born, Auckland-based photographer whose work spans commercial, documentary, unit stills, and fine art. In recent years, her practice has explored the psyche, perception, and the mystical, pushing the boundaries of photography to reveal what lies beyond the visible.
Web: jenraoult.com
Instagram: @jenraoult_clairobscur
Katie Kolenberg
Katie Kolenberg is an entrepreneur, an award-winning portrait photographer, a mentor, podcaster and the founder of The Creator Code. She is also the Head of Experiences at Kindrêd Meditation, an international somatic meditation practice dedicated to helping people embrace the wisdom of the body. Katie is a mum of two boys and has been running a family portrait photography business in Canberra, Australia for 17 years. She is a two time winner of Australian Family Photographer of the Year, as well as a sought after speaker and live judge. She is passionate about creativity, business and self-development and helping creators achieve inevitable success.
Paul Reiffer
An award-winning commercial and fine art photographer, Paul works with global hotel brands, tourism boards and destinations to create large-scale imagery designed to live well beyond the screen – from international campaigns to permanent installations in luxury spaces.
Best known for his cityscapes and landscapes captured from positions most people don’t get access to, his work is built on patience, planning, and knowing the difference between when it’s worth waiting and when it’s not. He is a global ambassador for Phase One and Capture One, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the BIPP, helping shape standards across the professional photography industry in the UK.
At the show, Paul will share the thinking and approach behind how those images come together – from getting access to the right locations, to making something worthwhile once you’re there – along with the realities, decisions, and occasional near-misses that sit behind the final frame.
website: paulreiffer.com
Eilish Burt
Eilish Burt is a New Zealand wedding photographer known for her vintage-inspired style and documentary approach to storytelling. Blending digital and 35mm film, her work focuses on capturing honest, emotive moments that feel both nostalgic and timeless.
With a deep love for connection and creating meaningful experiences, Eilish has built her business around authenticity, heart, and genuine human moments. She is passionate about encouraging fellow photographers to trust their instincts, refine their voice, and build sustainable creative businesses that align with their values!
https://eilishburtphotography.com/https://www.instagram.com/eilishburtphotography/https://www.facebook.com/eilishbphotography
John Cowpland
I’ve been a professional photographer for over 30 years – the past 22 working as a freelance editorial/sports and commercial photographer based in Napier, New Zealand.
My photography journey started in high school after a broken leg sidelined me from football. That passion grew into a career, first in the military, then in newspapers, and finally working for myself.
That journey has seen me cover news and sports events around New Zealand and the world, including the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.
I love the passion and drive shown by athletes – the highs and lows of sport.
Alongside the editorial work I’m lucky enough to have a great group of commercial clients, from fruit growers and farmers to ports and power companies. No chance for me to ever get bored with the job I love!
www.alphapix.nz @alphapixnz on insta and FB
Melanie Jenkins
Melanie Jenkins is a fine art and commercial photographer whose practice seamlessly blends photography, painting, publishing, and travel-inspired storytelling. Based in Auckland, she is the founder and director of Flash Studios, established in 2000, where she has built a respected career producing refined, high-end imagery for editorial, advertising, and brand clients. Her commercial portfolio spans food, interiors, fashion, product, and jewellery photography, with a reputation for lighting techniques, composition, and technical precision.
Alongside her commercial work, Melanie maintains a distinctive fine art practice that pushes the boundaries of traditional photography. She frequently incorporates hand-applied paint and mixed-media techniques into her photographic works, creating layered pieces that merge lens-based imagery with painterly expression. This interdisciplinary approach adds depth and tactility to her images.
Travel for exhibitions, has been a significant source of inspiration in her creative journey. Time spent in Spain, Italy and Paris, has influenced her new photographic series as well as book projects and a series of artworks exclusive to Indie Home Collective. She co-authored Take Me to Spain, published by Bateman Books alongside food writer and stylist Jo Wilcox, a visually rich celebration of travel, cuisine, and landscape photography with curated recipes. In addition, she has contributed photography to numerous cookbook publications, bringing her signature aesthetic.
Through both her commercial studio and her personal art practice, Melanie continues to create work that merges technical precision with artistic experimentation — seamlessly blending photography, painting, travel, and publishing into a cohesive and evolving creative career.
instagram – @flashstudiosnz Websites – www.flashstudios.co.nz www.melaniejenkins.co.nz
Diederik van Heyningen
Commercial and Advertising Photographer based in Christchurch NZ.
Husband to one, father to two, friend to three or four.
Lucky to have been introduced to photography many years ago, lucky that so many things worked out, lucky for how long that luck has lasted given how much has changed in the world.
Seen a fair bit of change during my 30 years in business, experienced a fair bit of change in that time too, which gives me perspective in decision making.
I ride push bikes, ski from time to time, walk trails in the bush and mountains, love my Sony a1, crave quiet wide open spaces, and love the kick I get off my one and only daily coffee. I still play a little basketball from time to time, oh and I don’t listen to music anywhere near often enough nor do I listen to it loud enough when I do!
www.lightworkx.co.nz
Esther Bunning
