Kia ora, my name is Meli.
I am a fun loving Raglan chick, who enjoys exploring our local stomping ground with my husband John and our two sons. We have loads of adventures with sea kayaking, camping and hiking being just a few activities we enjoy as a family. Family is important to us and we love to visually document our daily lives.
Photography is a family passion. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed playing with cameras and been the person capturing group activities with friends and family. When I was presented with the opportunity to take this passion further and turn it into a career, I grabbed it with both hands.
WHAT DRIVES ME THE MOST?
Being able to capture the moments and emotions between expectant parents and their support people during the birth of their child is so special to me. Birth photography is a way to keep hold of all of those precious moments that happen so fast during this incredible time that are so easily missed.
Your baby will only be born once and being able to revisit those memories is such a treasure.
What a way for our children to see how loved they are! How much love, effort and work it was to bring them into the world. It's an amazing way to show your beautiful child how much of a valued member of your family they are.
MY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
At the age of 40, I completed a bachelor's degree in Visual Imaging majoring in Photography and in 2016 was awarded the NZ Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) student of the year.
I enjoy creating work with a social narrative that causes discussion, creates awareness and celebrates unity within diversity. Using photography as the medium to achieve this is close to my heart. I have created a project called 'More than just...' which shows that we are so much more than how others may define us. Feel free to look at these in the gallery.
I also have experience photographing children, maternity, couples and families which can also be viewed in the gallery.
I would love to have the privilege of capturing the birth of your baby and for you to meet me to see if I am a good fit for you and your family. Please feel free to contact me and we can get together for a cuppa and a chat.