Local photographers win at national awards

Three Wairarapa photographers achieved success at this year’s highly contested NZIPP Iris awards. Esther Bunning was named the NZIPP Book Photographer of the Year for her Gold Award-winning book Children of Aotearoa, printed by Lamb Peters Print in Greytown, so a truly local production.

Wedding and Portrait photographer Sharisse Eberlein received one silver Distinction, one silver and one bronze at the NZIPP Iris Awards. “I was absolutely delighted with the awards this year. The judges enjoyed the narratives in the images, which reflects what I love most about wedding photography. ” says Sharisse.

Greytown photographer Rebecca Kempton was a finalist for the 2019 NZ Documentary Photographer of the Year, as well as being awarded the Gold Distinction award in the Landscape category and a Gold in the Documentary category. She also received 1 Silver Distinction, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals across Documentary, Landscape and Creative categories.

“The awards give photographers an opportunity to challenge themselves and push photographic boundaries, and to also see how their work stacks up against others in the profession,” said NZIPP Chair of Honours Kaye Davis.