Family Images Score Highly For Sth Is Photographer

August 30 2007

Family images score highly for South Island Photographer

Lyttelton photographer Dean Mackenzie took out the top prize at the 2007 Epson/NZIPP Iris Professional photography awards with a striking portfolio, which included an intimate portrait of his mother and brother. Mackenzie was named as Photographer of the Year at a gala dinner in Auckland on August 27. Judges looked at over 1100 entries before naming their six finalists. This was the first time Mackenzie had done a serious portrait of his family.

"They were the only people I knew who fitted the idea I had, and with the smoke wafting through the air it would give me the feel for the shots I was looking for. I was experimenting with some techniques for a people series I'm working on, "says Mackenzie.

"Mum has a great sense of humour and when I told her I had won, she said she was available for other assignments." The image, which captivated judges at this year's awards, earned him a top category place, and went towards winning the nation's most prestigious professional photography award. Mackenzie, who caught the photography "bug" 10 years ago when he was inspired by "the rich, fantastic" colours of Asia, set up his own photography business in Christchurch three years ago.

His interest in snowboarding and mountaineering have helped develop his love of the New Zealand landscape and he is especially adept at campaigns that use the outdoors as their backdrop. Mackenzie is no stranger to danger - scaling extreme rock faces, dropping into snowbound ravines to capture his award-winning photographs.

But much of the magic of his photography comes from his ability to interact with people from all walks of life – from Maori matriarchs to musicians. Mackenzie's own genuine and light-hearted nature puts his subjects at ease while his disarming sense of humour brings out their smiles. Mackenzie said he was "absolutely blown away" to win the major award, which he expects will be a boost for his business and its current core of steady clients, which include Natcoll, AgResearch, Chalky Digits, 540s/Skullcandy, Geovert, Dual, Kingswood Skis, Top Gear, Te Karaka, Dish and B-guided magazine. A selection of award-winning images will tour New Zealand from November. The images will also be available on the NZIPP website www.nzipp.org.nz from September 1, 2007.

2007 Epson/NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards Dean Mackenzie: Epson

Photographer of the Year
Category Award Winner: Kodak People Photographer of the Year
People Category: 1 gold, 2 silver
Landscape Category: 3 silver
Editorial / Illustrative Catergory: 1 silver, 2 bronzes

Dean Mackenzie: http://www.dmp.co.nz

ENDS

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