Hawke's Bay Young Photographer 2025
Reagan Kupa
Congratulations to our finalists below, selected from more than 130 entries and overall best image by Reagan Kupa.
Thanks to everyone who made the effort to enter this years competition and thanks to our sponsors, Sony NZ and Harvey Norman for prizes.
Open Category Finalist & overall winning best image
Reagan Kupa
Life Category Winner and runner up
best image
Stella Rust
FOTOFEST Highly Commended
Cameron Buckman
Aotearoa Category Winner
Jimi Logan
Junior Category Runner up
Jake Sandkuijl
Culture Category Winner
Cecilia Letalu
Junior Category Winner
Kurt Mermida
Aotearoa Category Runner up
Jasper Fierlinger
Open Category Runner up
jasper Fierlinger
Life Category Finalist
Jimi Logan
Culture Category Runner up
Navisha Chumber
Ai Category Winner
Ashton Scott
Hawke's Bay Young Photographer of the Year
We are looking for Hawke's Bays best young photographer with our competition and exhibition this year.
Plus we are keeping it as easy as we can for your entries, so you can focus on getting the best shots.
Please read the criteria below carefully as incorrect entries may not be accepted. When submitting your image you agree to the terms and conditions below.
Terms and Conditions
1.Only one entry per category will be accepted, but you can enter a different image into each of the categories.
Entries must be received before 5pm August 20th.
2.All images must be taken within New Zealand and have been taken in the last 12 months.
3. Competition is for Hawke's Bay youth only, entrant must reside in Hawke's Bay to enter.
4.Minimal editing or manipulation is recommended in the photographic categories. All images must be 100% photographic, no image can be computer generated including an Ai element. (unless entering the Ai category)
5. By entering you agree that you have consent to have taken the image if of a person or in a private venue or location and to the conditions of entry listed here.
There are five categories to enter :
1. Aotearoa New Zealand
2. Life : ie people, animals, plant, nature
3. Culture, including Youth Culture: (Culture encompasses the shared behaviors, beliefs, values, and material objects that characterize a group or society. It shapes how people think, act, and interact, and includes aspects like language, customs, arts, and social institutions)
4. Open : No Criteria, any image that does not fit the above categories can be entered here.
5. Ai - In which the photographer utilises Ai to improve or enhance the quality of an existing photo and generate an Ai-based image.
AGE CATEGORIES
Junior ages 12-14
Student ages 15-18
Senior ages 19-24
SELECTION PROCESS
One image plus a runner up will be selected from each of the five categories, for final judging. Judges decision is final.
PRIZES
First Prize, sponsored by SONY NZ.
One image selected from the five categories will be named best image, and named FOTOFEST young photographer of the year. The Prize is a Sony ZV-E-10 with 16-50mm lens, plus a Canon Pro 300 A3 Professional Printer.
Product prizes will be awarded to runner up to best image and to Best in Junior Category.
EXHIBITION
All images entered into the competiton will be exhibited at Arts Inc during FOTOFEST. We invite all entrants to come in and sign their image while on display, upstairs in Arts Inc, Russell Street Hastings.
Winners will be invited to attend the official festival opening on Saturday September 27th at 2pm and receive their prizes.