5 Silvers, 3 Highly Commended &
a Whole Lotta Muddy Boots
So… I did a thing.
The kind of thing that makes you yell into the bush like a madwoman when you get the email. The kind of thing you read twice, then a third time just to be sure. This year, I was honoured to receive five Silver Awards at the Asia Pacific Photography Awards, with four of those making it into the Top 20 finalists across the Landscape, Animals & Nature, and Black & White categories.
Hosted by NZIPP right here in Aotearoa, this international award pulls together some of the most striking imagery from across the Asia Pacific region—and let’s just say, the competition was stacked. So to have my work not just recognised, but celebrated, feels surreal.
Here are the images that got muddy, waited for fog,
and (mostly) cooperated wildlife:
“Goblin Forest” – Top 20 Finalist, Landscape
A moss-drenched pocket of Fiordland that looks like it belongs in a fairytale (or a forest-dwelling fever dream).
“Sambar Stag” – Top 20 Finalist, Animals & Nature
A wild stare-down at dawn. He saw me. I saw him. We both held our breath.
“Hollyford Valley” – Top 20 Finalist, Black & White
Mist, mood, and mountains folding in like a theatre curtain. Milford at its most dramatic.
“Highland Cow” – Top 20 Finalist, Animals & Nature
All fluff, no fuss. This shaggy legend stared straight down the lens like it owned the hillside—and apparently the judges agreed.
“Sika Stags” – Silver Award, Animals & Nature
A pair of majestic lads, perfectly posed like they’d been practicing. Captured in the wilderness—no modelling fee required.
And beyond the five Silver medals, three more of my images received Highly Commended awards, which I’m equally proud of—because every single photo comes with its own story of grit, patience, and one hell of a view.
“Aurora Australis over Rakia Gorge Bridge” – Highly Commended
The sky absolutely showed off that night. A rare southern light display that turned the bridge into a portal—and had me whispering “holy heck” into the silence more times than I care to admit.
“Burke River, Haast Pass” – Highly Commended
Sunlight, mist, and glacial melt all colliding in one surreal moment. No crowds, no filters—just pure alpine magic and a healthy respect for slippery rocks.
“Cleddau Valley II” – Highly Commended
A moody, cinematic breath of Fiordland. The kind of scene that makes you stop mid-hike, forget your aching legs, and just feel the weight and wonder of the mountains.
But awards aside, this isn’t really about shiny things or ego boosts (though I won’t lie—they’re a lovely surprise).
It’s about the journey, It’s about early mornings, cold fingers, and moments of natures connection. It’s about chasing light, waiting out storms, and hoping the world slows down just long enough to press the shutter.
To have my work recognised like this is an honour—but the real win is getting to do what I love, in a country that never stops taking my breath away.
Thanks for cheering me on.
And if any of these images speak to you, you can find them in the Print Store—lovingly framed and ready to bring a little wild magic to your walls.