WORKSHOPS
& TALKS
Exclusive Bird Photography Workshop
with John Parker, Maddox Photography
Napier - Fotofest Bird Photography Workshop – Anderson Park, Napier (8 person max)
Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Location: Start 3pm Anderson Park, Napier (Carpark opposite ST John)
Duration: 2 hrs
Host: John Parker, Maddox Photography NZ
Join me for a fun and practical 2-hour bird photography workshop at Anderson Park, where we’ll cover the essentials of bird photography from gear to light, composition, and backgrounds.
Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to refine their skills; this hands-on session offers a chance to learn in the field and walk away with images you’ll be proud of.
Bring your camera and let’s get shooting!
Gear Need: Camera, lens 100-400mm ideal, tripod, sturdy shoes, old warm clothes (they could get dirty)
Book here
"The Invisible" Floor Talk by Davide Conti
Sunday 21st Septembr 10am
CAN Gallery Napier
Originally from Sicily I’m now a Rotorua-based hobbyist photographer, drawn to bold and honest storytelling through portraiture and street photography. My focus is on people—those often unseen or overlooked—capturing raw emotion, presence, and the untold stories behind every face.
At FotoFest, I’ll be presenting The Invisible, a series that began with quiet portraits of people on the margins and evolved into a deeper, confronting project documenting gang members and street communities. Through this work, I aim to challenge assumptions and invite reflection on identity, vulnerability, and connection.
Photography, for me, is a way of witnessing and sharing—through the eye of the camera—the images, the stories, and the emotions of my encounters on the street.
John Parker - Maddox Photography Talk
Sunday 21st September 11am
CAN Gallery Napier
John, the passionate eye behind Maddox Photography NZ, is an award-winning bird photographer whose journey began in the wake of personal tragedy. Following the loss of his son Maddox, John turned to the natural world for healing, a path that led him to pick up a camera and eventually discover a deep connection with bird photography. His work is now widely published and recognised for its emotional depth and technical excellence.
In this presentation, John shares his powerful story of resilience, transformation, and purpose. He will take you behind the lens of his most meaningful images and reveal what he looks for in every frame, not just light, composition, and subject, but a story.
Alan Blundell - Bokeh Street
Sunday 21st September 12pm
CAN Gallery Napier
Alan is a photographer based in Wellington, New Zealand. From a background in Architecture, the former Hotelier and Father of 4, decided to start a photography blog in 2016 using the handle 'bokeh street' to showcase his work with LEICA camera gear. His Ohtel was featured in: Wallpaper, NY Times, The Guardian, Vogue Living and Urbis 2021&22 Wellington Photographer of the year finalist and writer for NZ Photographer magazine,
Alan will be presenting on his NYC Summer 2025 tour and weaving some awesome shooting tips into his talk. Don't miss it.
Murray Savidan, Artist/author talk
"Stop, Look Both Ways"
Monday September 22nd 6pm
Murray Savidan’s burning desire was to be a rock musician. His band, The Bluestars, had their first record released in England and their second, a song called Social End Product went on to become a cult classic. But when he was given a camera on his 19th birthday all that changed. Savidan’s reaction to photography was immediate and profound. “I got hooked on it straight away. I felt confident with it. I felt I’d found something.”
Come meet Murray and hear all about his career and his new book " Stop, Look Both Ways" at Wardini Books Napier, 22nd September 6pm.
More info : https://www.facebook.com/share/19n2hJGjU1/
Photo zines and storytelling with
Gerry le Roux
Venue: CAN Gallery Napier
Date: Saturday 27 September 2025, time 10:30am-12pm
Host: Gerry le Roux
No Charge.
In this workshop, Palmerston North-based photographer and educator Gerry le Roux will be sharing some hands-on tips on creative expression and sharing personal narratives through photo zines. The workshop will also include a wider discussion of narrative and storytelling through photography.
Photography zines, and zines in general, take on many shapes and sizes. Depending on who you talk to, they can be anything from small hand-folded booklets on copy paper through to professionally printed and bound photo books. This workshop will focus on traditional zine-making (handmade, non-commercial, self-published, small-circulation), but the discussion may likely stray far wider.
Chontalle Musson
Saturday 27th September 1pm
CAN Gallery Napier
WHO IS CHONTALLE?
Just one of NZ's leading live gig photographers......
Chontalle is a New Zealand based creative specialising in live event photography, videography and all things artist visual identity. Her style captures the energy, emotion and unfiltered moments that bring stories to life.
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, she’s lived across the globe: from Dunedin, NZ to Florida, USA and now calls Auckland home. When she’s not working you’ll find her rummaging through thrift shops, unwinding at Lake Taupo, or chasing the perfect coconut flat white.
Her approach is grounded in presence and trust. Crafting visuals that feel honest, bold, and alive. Her work is driven by intuition and a commitment to capturing moments that move with intention and authenticity.
Award-Winning NZIPP IRIS Photography on Display & Artist talk
Experience the artistry and storytelling of some of New Zealand’s finest photographers. Throughout Fotofest (September 19 – October 3, 2025), Edges Art & Framing will host a special exhibition of IRIS Award-winning images by photographers from the Central Districts region. Recognised through the prestigious NZIPP IRIS Awards - the highest benchmark of professional photography in Aotearoa - these works represent the very best in creativity, technical excellence, and vision.
On Sunday, September 28 at 3pm, join us at Edges Art & Framing for a rare opportunity to hear directly from the artists. Five accomplished photographers, including national finalists and winners, will share the stories behind their images, their creative process, and their journeys through the IRIS Awards. After the talks, guests are invited to stay and connect one-on-one with the photographers.
Come be inspired, ask questions, and celebrate world-class photography created right here in our region.
About the IRIS Awards: www.irisawards.com/2025-iris
Tin Type Wet Plate Portrait Sessions
FOTOFEST 2025: Wet Plate Portrait Sessions
Step back in time and experience one of photography’s earliest and most captivating processes. As part of FOTOFEST 2025—Hawke’s Bay’s annual celebration of photography—I’ll be offering wet plate collodion portrait sessions in Napier and Hastings.
On Saturday, September 27, I’ll be at Creative Arts Napier (CAN), 16 Byron Street, Napier.
On Sunday, September 28, I’ll be at Arts Inc. Heretaunga, 106 Russell Street South, Hastings.
Each session captures a one-of-a-kind image on glass or metal using 1850s photographic techniques. Sessions are limited to 2 people per plate. Your finished plate will be carefully varnished and posted to you about a week later.
Come be part of this hands-on, historic experience—and take home a portrait like no other.
Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/fotofest25
2-Day Photo Quest Hastings Edition
Learn exciting techniques, win prizes, and take your photography to the next level!
WHERE IS THIS HAPPENING?
Community Arts Centre,106 Russell Street South, Hastings.
WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING?
Class 1 : Saturday 27 September at 10:00 - 11:00 am
Blurry backgrounds made simple
(grab the bo-keh)
Class 2 : Saturday 27 September at 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Freezing motion & jumps!
Class 3 : Saturday 27 September at 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Capturing mesmerizing light trails
Class 4 : Sunday 28 September at 10:00 - 11:00 am
Long Exposure with ICM (that is, intentionally blurred photos with intentional camera movement)
Class 5 : Sunday 28 September at 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Notes, prizes + Astro Photography quick class!
Cost $25
Register here
Make memories with your best friend
Calling all dog lovers!
Join PAWTOGRAPHY NZ for mini photo sessions in the beautiful Napier Botanical Gardens.
Perfect for capturing your pup's personality in a natural setting.
20-minute sessions
Includes 5 high-res edited images
Napier Botanical Gardens
All breeds (and kids) welcome!
Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21
$99
Limited spots available - sign up here
@pawtography_nz
