A natural creator since she was a child, Virginia first craved to be a fashion designer, but her doubting parents made her do food science instead. Undaunted, she funneled her creative energy into creating and marketing new food products, but soon found herself in a boring corporate rut, so broke free to find her creative force again. She threw in everything to pursue her love of photography. She studied photographic design and trained as a press photographer for a national newspaper honing her craft shooting people in all sorts of situations and from all walks of life - much of which still applies to her commercial work on outdoor adventure, lifestyle, and portrait shoots. She also dabbles in architecture from time to time when not travelling the world seeking adventure - her commitment to tell stories through her lens.

Her career has seen her photograph luxury resorts in Fiji, fight the advances of a Papua New Guinean chief who needed a fourth wife, eat pig entrails in Japan (followed by lots of sake), and her favourite experience so far - sleeping under the stars in the Sahara.

Adventure energises her.

Virginia is a Canon Master, one of 15 Masters in Australasia which recognise world class image creators who have perfected their craft and offer inspiration, vision, insight, and experience within the industry.

Based out of sunny Nelson New Zealand, she lives on a green hillside, bathed in natural light with an ever-changing view of the sea, and travels for a taste of excitement and exploration.

She loves photographing people, places, and capturing the stories she finds.

Image by Sven Martin. Buffeted by strong winds while picking my way across the uneven terrain of the Boulder Bank - it was worth it to finally reach the local surfers and get the perfect shot.

Exhibitions

2023

Shape of Things. Women’s Work collective, Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland, NZ Sherpani. Women of Solukhumbu, Everest 70, Auckland Museum, NZ

2021

Muse We Are One. Solo exhibition, Refinery Artspace, Nelson, NZ Underexposed. Women’s Work collective, Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland, NZ Kaha. Women’s Work collective & Eke Panuku Development, Queens Wharf, Auckland, NZ

2020

We Are One. Sukita project collective works, Nelson Public Library, NZ

Awards

Production Paradise Spotlight Awards 2023 Top 10 images Travel, Documentary & Landscape. Mono Awards 2022 Highly Commended People Category Muse We Are One. Finalist 2013 Canon Media Awards Press Photographer of the Year - Junior. Finalist 2013 PANPA Awards Sports Photography of the Year. Winner 2010 D-Photo Travel Photography competition to the highlands in Papua New Guinea.

Clients

Nelson Regional Development Agency, Plato Creative, Wakatū Inc, Hop Federation, Kono, Yank Merino, CGW Consulting Engineers, Nelson City Council, Isaac Group, Moana SUP, Nancy Loves Bikes, Nelson Tasman Great Taste Trail, Jeuneora, Kathmandu, Cruisin Motorhomes Australia, Nanuku Auberge Resorts - Fiji, Studio Pacific Architecture, Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Canopy Landscape Architects, Matz Architects, Arthouse Architects, Sheppard & Rout Architects, Living Design, NZIA, Materoa Design

Spoke Magazine, NZ Adventure, D-Photo, Fairfax Media, Voyeur - Virgin Australia, Koekoeā, Home, Habitat by Resene

Behind the scenes

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