Hi, I'm Kirsty (KJ), a coffee loving life enthusiast and award winning portrait and wedding photographer.
I pride myself on empowering women through the art of photography! Utilising my studies in psychology, I have created a beautiful, safe and loving environment in my Whangarei studio where women can express their inner strength, vulnerability and find their true selves through art.
I fell in love with photography when I picked up my mum’s Olympus OM-10 back in the ’90s and was told off many times for running through a roll of film faster than I could say cheese!
Photography allows me to see the world in a different way, finding the beauty in moments and people that would usually pass unnoticed.
What is in your camera bag?
Sony Alpha 7 IV (x2)
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM
Sony FE 50mm Macro F2.8
Sony FE 28mm F2.0
Sony FE 85mm F1.8
Sony HVL-F60RM2 (x2)
Countless SD cards & ND filters
Dual holster & tripod
What is your go to in your Alpha kit and why?
My Sony Alpha 7 IV and FE 85mm F1.8 for studio portraiture. This is my favourite camera and lens combination as it creates beautiful crisp images with dreamy depth of field.
Most memorable moment shooting with Alpha?
I think one shoot that will stay with me for years to come is Joy's family session. It was a true testament to the value of photographs and a powerful reminder of why I love what I do.
I was contacted by Joy's daughter when she learned her mum was no longer in remission and they wanted to capture some much-needed heartfelt memories. After a few reschedules due to COVID, sickness, and bad weather, I was finally able to photograph Joy and her family at the start of November 2022 on her local beach.
As I was looking through my camera's viewfinder at this wonderfully strong woman and her family, I knew that I was sharing in something sacred. I felt so honoured to be there capturing these precious moments.
I ended up recording some video between each shot because I wanted Joy's family to hear her laughter and voice as well.
Joy has since passed and I know the photos we captured that day will be forever treasured.
