Having trained and worked as a secondary school teacher, Tony first became enthralled with photography while travelling overseas. Returning to New Zealand from adventures in over 65 countries, he took the opportunity to diversify his career by retraining at Christchurch Polytechnic.
Much of Tony’s work is Christchurch based, with frequent trips to other parts of the country. Wedding and commercial photography form the basis of his business, with assorted function, event and landscape shoots also featuring prominently. For ten years, Tony also tutored part time in the photography department at Christchurch Polytech (then CPIT, now ARA).
In June 2005, Tony travelled to the highly respected Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California. This was a scholarship placement awarded annually by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. In 2006, as part of ongoing award entries, Associate status within the Institute was awarded. In 2007, Master of Photography status was reached, followed in 2010 by NZIPP Fellow. Subsequent bars to Fellow were subsequently awarded.
Until early 2010, Tony was Regional Chairperson for the Canterbury-Westland branch of NZIPP (NZ Institute of Professional Photographers). This was a voluntary position held for three years, overseeing a local committee tasked with organising meetings, seminars, workshops & speakers for professional photographers. Following on this, Tony was part of the NZIPP Honours Council for a further five years, tasked with overseeing the national professional photography awards each year. Initially a co-author, Tony subsequently took on the the role of Project Co-ordinator for the NZIPP-RSA WWII veterans project in the latter stages on collation. This saw the collection produced as a final printed book, and is currently held as part of the Auckland War Memorial Museum collection.
In July 2018, Tony was awarded the coveted title of Grand Master by the NZIPP. This is the top award accolade of the Institute, and is the cumulation of many years of award success. He is as the first recipient ever in the Canterbury Westland region.
Tony continues his industry involvement as an NZIPP Iris Awards judge, and has presented at several amateur and professional photography events about New Zealand in recent years.
More recently, his enthusiasm for adventure has helped develop ‘In Pursuit of Giants’. This is a small collective of photographic friends, intent on getting out in the great NZ outdoors for a laugh, doing crazy stuff, all while taking photos and video of all the shenanigans!
AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER
“To find a job you love I think is a rare opportunity. I feel so fortunate to enjoy photography as I do, knowing this is only a rare possibility for many. For work not to feel like work, keeps me passionate about what I do. To feel passionate about photography is more than just f-stops and focal length. To me, this is about people.
I have met so many neat people through this medium – other photographers, students and a whole range of clients. For this, I am eternally grateful. I cherish the interaction that photography affords – the chance to thrive under pressure, share some of life’s most tender moments, to be able to leave a visual legacy for people.
The power of photography for me is not the magic of the darkroom discovered at an early age, or a first childhood camera. It is the people I have had the pleasure to meet, and the satisfaction I receive from knowing I have helped make them happy in some way”.
We could not have asked for anything more. (Tony) … did a fantastic job and would recommend to everyone.
…everyone asks who our photographer was, and we are proud to share this
Just fantastic. Without Tony we would have been running very late. He was able to stick to the schedule and get spectacular photos!
Amazing! We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer.
We had a lot of fun, and the finished product is a testament to Tony’s skills and creativity. We are thrilled with our wedding photos.
Tony was amazing to work with…there is no-one else we would use.
Just brilliant. We are so happy with our photos, thank you so so much
We really didn’t have to worry about anything as we knew the planning was all sorted. Plus we got beautiful photographs
…well organised, kept us on time but also listened to what we wanted. Could get an excellent picture out of nothing!
We loooove the photos. They are absolutely fantastic, we are so happy! You got some really magical shots and didn’t miss a thing
Tony listened to what we wanted… (and) got on very well with our guests and made everyone feel comfortable
Everything was perfect
A very big thank you for all your work on making our wedding day perfect
Good planning and organisation beforehand ensured Tony could get the photos we were after. Professional and easy to get on with
…thank you for all your wonderful work for our special day. We are extremely happy with our album and canvases…your friendly approach ensured that our wedding ran smoothly
Professional service and simply stunning shots…
Awesome, (you) took photos very cleverly not knowing you were even there! …made the time away from people relaxing and enjoyable
We had a truly wonderful day…the photographs are exceptional
Tony was so enthusiastic and involved in our day
Professional, discreet, and well organised…
We are so stoked with our photos, and have had so many great comments about them
Absolutely brilliant service. From the first meeting until the final click of the camera Tony’s professionalism and bubbly personality means we have amazing pictures to remember our dream day
Outstanding, amazing, fantastic. Tony you have blown us away
Exciting, caring, perceptive, absolutely wonderful – Tony was a joy to have as our wedding photographer. Tony gave that extra buzz to our special day that will live forever in our amazing photos!
…the results are stunning – beautiful photos that are exactly what we wanted”
Tony was fantastic – he acted like a conductor for the day. We didn’t have to worry about anything and had total trust in his choice of pictures and locations… really efficient and at the same time, really easy going. (He) made everyone at ease. We are really happy with the whole service – he was brilliant on the day and the photos are amazing
We are extremely happy with Tony’s work… planning for the day was great. Our wedding party also loved the relaxed feeling Tony gave, it made for a natural feel to the photos – these expressed exactly who we are”
We were blown away by how fantastic they (photos) were. You made the whole experience so easy and carefree
…wonderful & fun. Relaxed and well planned
We found Tony to be very efficient, organised & friendly. We are very happy with our photos. Thanks heaps!
We were thrilled with the results – Tony captured how magic our day was, and more! He saw and captured things that we were too busy to see. We couldn’t have asked for more. We are eternally grateful to Tony and for the time and effort he put into our special day. He went beyond the call of duty
You were so well organised and made our day flow brilliantly right from the beginning. So, Thank you……Thank you………THANK YOU! Is really all we can say
…friendly, professional, concise. (Tony) made you feel relaxed when taking photos…
Fantastic professional service, we could not fault Tony’s work. The photos were amazing, and he put all the bridal party at ease – even those who hate having their picture taken (like me – the bride!)
A highly organised, professional service, yet very relaxed humorous photographer. A pleasure to spend our day with
An excellent professional service provided by Tony with a very friendly easy going attitude. Tony fitted into our wedding day easily and made everything seem fun
Complete professional service – met all of our expectations and more. Tony’s planning and overall professionalism gave us the confidence to relax and enjoy our day. He has captured the essence of our wedding – relaxed, intimate, joyous, exciting (with) attention to detail, and above all a celebration of our love with those most important to us
We love the photos and would not hesitate to recommend you to any future couples
