Sarah Smith
Sarah is a New Zealand based NZIPP accredited photographer specialising in landscape and creative photography.
Sarah became inspired by nature and the landscape as she hiked, camped and travelled around New Zealand and other parts of planet Earth. Originally, she picked up a camera to record these adventures and the landscapes and this soon developed into wanting to capture more than just a ‘snapshot’.
Honing her photography skills and craft in landscape photography she has most recently begun to explore a more creative avenue. Using long exposures, she captures motion, colour, light, tone, shapes and forms that she sees to create images in the landscape.
Sarah studied art at high school and then art history at university and is influenced by many great artists and photographers. Some of her favourites are Monet, Turner, Van Gogh and Kandinsky, Ansel Adams, Valda Bailey and Michael Kenna.
Sarah lives with her partner, Gerard (also a photographer) and their two black and white cats, Barbie and Ken, in West Melton, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Photo by Gerard Richardson
Awards & Qualifications
- 2024 - New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards - Silver and Bronze Awards in Landscape and Landscape Oprn categories.
- 2023 - Champion Entry - Nelson National Triptych Salon
- 2023 - Best in Show - The Art of Photography Exhibition - Selwyn Photography Collective
- 2022 - Finalist New Zealand Professional Landscape Open Photographer - New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards
- 2022 - New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards - Gold, Silver Distinction (2), Silver, and Bronze Awards in Landscape Open and Landscape In-Camera categories.
- 2021 - Asia Pacific Photography Awards - 9 Highly Commended in Portrait, Black and White and Landscape categories.
- 2021 - Diploma of Professional Photography - The Photography Institute
- 2021 - New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards - 4 Bronze Awards (Landscape Open, Landscape In-camera and Commercial) and 1 Silver Award (Commercial)
- 2021 - Honours (Licentiate - LPSNZ) - Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ)
- 2020 - New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards - 3 Bronze Awards (Travel and Landscape Open)
- 1994 - Bachelor of Arts - History of Art - University of Otago
Exhibitions
- 2023 - July - The Art of Photography Exhibition, Te Ara Atea, Rolleston, Canterbury
- 2023 - May - Selwyn Art Show, Rolleston Community Centre, Canterbury
- 2023 - March - Christchurch Art Show - Arts Canterbury Gallery - Te Pae Convention Centre
- 2023 - February - "Water" - Arts Canterbury Show, Art on the Quay, Kaiapoi
- 2022 - June - Christchurch Art Show - Arts Canterbury Gallery - Te Pae Convention Centre
- 2022 - May - Selwyn Art Show, Rolleston Community Centre, Canterbury
- 2021 - April - Mangawhai Artists Easter Exhibition
- 2020 - December - Mangawhai Artists Christmas Exhibition
Publications
- 2022 - New Zealand Camera 2022, Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ)
- 2022 - Doppelmayr Garaventa A2 Corporate Calendar
- 2022 - NZ Photographer Magazine - Connecting with the Natural World Through Representational and Abstract Landscapes - Interview
- 2021 - New Zealand Camera 2021, Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ)
- 2021 - Excio Photography Community - How to Find Your Creative Path in the Wilderness: Interview
- 2020 - NZ Photographer Magazine (May) - Mini 4 Shot Portfolio Feature - Ebbs and Flows
- 2018 - Wilderness Magazine (July) - Waypoints article - Good Morning Sunshine
- 2018 - Wilderness Magazine (April) - Wild Trips article - Tantilising Titiroa
- 2016 - Wilderness Magazine (January) - Waypoints article - A Pristine Location
- 2015 - Wilderness Magazine (November) Waypoints article - Views a Plenty
- 2015 - Wilderness Magazine (January) - Hot Shot Feature
Competitions
- 2021 - 2 x Acceptance, Laurie Thomas Landscape Salon
- 2020 - 1 x Acceptance, Nelson National Triptych Salon - Waterlines
- 2020 - NZ Photographer Magazine - New Zealand Landscapes Competition - 2nd Place - Mitre Majesty
- 2020 - Excio Photography Unleashed Long Exposure Competition - Winner - The Reward of Sunrise
- 2015 - Wilderness Magazine Photo Competition - Finalist
- 2015 - 3 x Acceptance, Dunedin Festival of Photography
Sarah is a proud member of Nature First: The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography and is dedicated to following the Nature First Principles:
Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography.
Educate yourself about the places you photograph.
Reflect on the possible impact of your actions.
Use discretion if sharing locations.
Know and follow rules and regulations.
Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them.
Actively promote and educate others about these principles