Mandi Lynn Racks up awards at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography

>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

Selected to Photograph the New Zealand Breastfeeding Campaign

I have wonderful news. I was selected as the Lactation Consultant to work on the New Zealand Breastfeeding DVD. I had been lobbying for one for years, and when the Ministry of Health decided to put one together, I was selected to work on the project with GSL the advertising agency that is handling the campaign. Now this was joy enough, but it got out at the meetings that I was also a professional photographer. The Advertising representatives asked to see my portfolio and then hired me for the job of photographing the stills for the project. They figured they scored because they got a breastfeeding technical expert and a photographer whose style they liked all in one package. I was seriously chuffed. This is my first commercial piece of work and I am very nervous and very excited at the same time. I will be flying up to Auckland to photograph the mothers who are being featured in the DVD plus a few other mothers who have volunteered to be part of the project. I am just buzzing with nervousness and excitement about the whole project.

Finalist in the Wellington Photographer of the Year

I am so very excited! This year the Wellington Chapter of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers decided to host the inaugural "Wellington Photographer of the Year" award. Members were requested to submit up to 4 of their best images for critique. This was in preparation for the National competition which will be held in Wellington this year. The winner was selected based on which photographer scored the highest on his or her best two prints.

There were over 30 photographers competing and it was so exciting. My son Sam was with me and every time one of mine would come up his eyes would get big and he would elbow me and do everything he could to stay silent....which is hard when you are a chatty 10 year old.

So in the end I got scores that would have given me 2 bronzes and 2 silvers. The top two both received 82 which put me in the finals with 4 other photographers. The judges then selected from these the grand winner. I didn't win but I was so incredibly excited to have been placed in the same ring as these others who have had so many years of experience. I was massively humbled and honoured to be there.

Sam was buzzing and so was I when I came back over the Hill from the Wairarapa where the judging took place. I could barely sleep an woke up with my head buzzing with more ideas that I could use for the National print competition. Fingers crossed. Stay tuned I will update you at the end of August as to how this part went.

Gallery of Submissions

Zarah Enchants

I met Jennifer at our shared place of work. As I am a lactation consultant my office doubles as the pumping room for the mums who are breastfeeding their babies and Jennifer was a frequent visitor. I had not properly met Zarah the little one she was doing so much work for until they came to visit me on the farm. Oh my goodness is all I can say. It was too easy, she was absolutely gorgeous and those eyes...wow!!!

Normally you only have about 20 minutes of good shooting in a studio with a baby but Zarah was happy as Larry playing in the grass and water and on the beach. No posing necessary just authentic enjoyment. Plus the blueberries may have helped a bit too. I think in the end the shoot lasted two hours an not one tear. It was good good fun!

Susie and Mark

Susie and Mark were about the most adorable couple I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. It was completly humbling to be able to witness the love that these two share for each other. They are second time lucky and so incredibly twitterpated. My favourite part was the playfulness that these two had in each others company. What a fun shoot.

Anne's Gorgeous Bichons

I had my first pet portrait session last week. Anne brought along her two gorgeous Bichons. They ran around the house and had a merry old time. We didn't get much in the way of outdoor shots because the weather packed it in on us but I am pleased with what we were able to get out of the session.