>Press Release:
Mandi Lynn Photography based out of the Blueberry Farm in the Akatarawa Valley has just racked up 3 more medals at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Awards in Wellington this year. The competition was extremely stiff with record entries from all of the top professional photographers in New Zealand and incredibly harsh judging. There were images of other New Zealand Photographers that had received Gold’s in the Australian equivalent of the event but only received a Bronze at the New Zealand awards. But in her first complete year in business Mandi Lynn was able to rack up a Bronze Award in the People Category and a Bronze and a Silver in the Editorial Illustrative Category.
“I am shocked and chuffed” said Mandi about her success. “I feel like my artistic style has really come of its own this year, and I was pleased to see it recognized nationally that was very exciting for me.” Mandi’s winning image featuring a Morepork and Virginia Griffin was recognized as outstanding by the owner of Basquesse a haute couture fashion house in Wellington. Vivianna, the owner, was so impressed that on the spot she commissioned her to create an image to highlight Basquesse’s designs in the upcoming New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland.
Many know Mandi as the co-owner of the Blueberry Farm as well as the Hutt Valley District Health Boards Lactation Consultant. It was her role as a Lactation consultant that put her in the right place and right time to capture one of the winning images of a Breastfeeding baby that received a bronze in the illustrative category. “I walked in to help the mother who had engorgement and I started laughing. Here was this stunning mother sitting up perfectly manicured in her bed wearing a Laura Ashley floral type top, a beautiful pink bra, and had two perfect cabbage leaves stuffed in to help with the engorgement. It was beautiful. She looked at me and said, ‘I feel like a salad’. I told the mother about the Charity Parent Centre calendar I have been asked to photograph for Egg Maternity and she agreed to be a model. What a hoot . I went down to the cafeteria after the shift was over and came up with a salad and we had a blast getting the shot. When the image came up for viewing at the awards the audience laughed. That was exactly what I was looking for and I was chuffed. Unfortunately the judging panel was all male save one and I don’t think they got the joke, but they liked the image at least enough to give it a Bronze.”
“My goal is to have people recognize that my studio is a relaxed place where individuals and families can come and have not just their photos taken but have an actual piece of stunning art created for them. I have been painting portraits for about 18 years but since moving from mixed media to multimedia I feel that my creativity has skyrocketed and the sky is the limit. It just feels wonderful to have that validated with awards now.”
Mandi’s work was recognized by the Ministry of Health and they have hired her to photograph for the New Zealand Breastfeeding Campaign as well. Earlier this year Mandi was a finalist in the Wellington Photographer of the Year competition which was held in Featherston. “ I was just blown away to have been selected amongst such accomplished photographers in my first year. I can’t wait to see what I produce for next years awards.”
Mandi is currently looking for a space to hold an exhibit of the award winning images that were submitted as well as some of her newer multimedia art work. She is available for commissions of one off pieces of art by contacting 04-526-6788, or 0211412646 or you can look at her portfolio on her website at www.mandilynn.co.nz
