Learn the art of macro fungi photography from award-winning New Zealand macro photographer Paula Vigus.
For this special Sony Scene practical workshop we are bringing Paula to Wellington to share her knowledge and demonstrate how she goes about achieving such wonderful macro images of fungi. Paula will demonstrate using her camera setup of choice: the Sony Alpha 7R V and FE 100mm F2.8 GM macro lens. This workshop is open to all camera brand users and is designed for beginner macro shooters.
Sony gear can be made available for people wanting to try out new cameras and lenses (two weeks notice required). A selection of Sony cameras and lenses will also be available on the day for testing.
You'll come away from this workshop equipped with the knowledge of interesting and endemic fungi, how to plan and approach an outdoor macro shoot, the ideal camera settings and what you need in your macro kit. Paula will also provide an in-person post-production session so you can see how she edits her incredible macro shots.
An in-depth macro weekend: 23-24 May 2026
This practical workshop will be run across two days and involves:
1. Tuesday 19 May 7pm NZT
An online introduction to fungi photography prior to the practical workshop weekend.
2. Saturday 23 May 10am to 4pm
An in-person demonstration and camera gear setup on location at Percy Scenic Reserve (2 hours) followed by on the ground shooting alongside Paula (3-4 hours).
3. Sunday 24 May 10.30am to 1.30pm
An in-person editing session with Paula (up to 3 hours) at a Lower Hutt venue.
4. Post-event photo review (optional, date TBC)
An optional online photo review one week following the workshop
As this is an outdoor workshop there is a weather element: we have planned for a weekend shoot that will proceed even if rain is forecast. Please plan ahead and dress for the conditions.
About Paula Vigus
South Island-based Paula Vigus LPSNZ (Licentiate honours with the Photographic Society of New Zealand) has a passion for nature and macro photography, in particular fungi. In 2022 she was announced the winner of the Sony Alpha ANZ Awards - Nature Category with one of her fungi photographs.
In 2023 Paula collaborated with Liv Sisson as the main photographer for the book Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide.
In 2024 she was credited with finding and photographing the first known colony of Alwisia Repens slime mould in New Zealand. Paula has won several awards in various photography competitions over the past five years.
In 2025 Paula's own fungi photography book A Hidden World was released by Potton and Burton publishers and is available at all good bookstores.
NZ$100 deposit payable via Sony Scene to secure a spot.
Balance Due Date: 15/05/2026
Payment for the remaining balance should be made directly to the host. They will be in contact with you shortly to provide the payment details and further instructions.
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