My passion for photography began with the simple joy of capturing moments with friends and taking in the beauty of the outdoors. Growing up in New Zealand, I was inspired by my dad's tales of backpacking adventures across Africa and South America, sparking my curiosity about the wider world.

After my camping road trip to Yosemite and Oregon, I found myself drawn to the sheer beauty of the landscapes and the simplicity of living minimally while on the road. It was there that I decided to pick up a camera and start capturing the magic of these places.

By the end of 2018, I found myself documenting my adventures through photography, squeezing in shoots between engineering studies and track practices. Gradually, I even began offering graduation shoots to hone my skills.

Despite my passion, I never imagined pursuing photography full-time. Engineering seemed to promise the stability I thought I wanted. However, everything changed in 2020 when the pandemic hit and I lost my potential job.

But every cloud has a silver lining. Suddenly finding myself with time on my hands as I finished my studies at the end of 2020, I seized the opportunity to explore the landscapes of New Zealand more deeply. The landscapes here are hard not to fall in love with.

To support my newfound passion, I took up part-time coaching in tennis, using the income to fund my travels and invest in photography gear.

My engineering background instilled in me a sense of resilience and the importance of persevering through challenges. The critical thinking skills I developed in engineering have proven invaluable, particularly in navigating the business aspects of photography. Thanks to the technical nature of engineering, concepts like compositions using the rule of thirds and leading lines in photography came naturally to me.

During the pandemic, I had a lot of time to think. I realized how much I love being outdoors and how I struggle to stay still. I always felt like engineering wasn't the perfect fit for me, even though I thought it was a smart choice. Photography, on the other hand, feels more like a passion than a job. I could do it every day without getting tired of it.

In 2021, during the winter, I went on a month-long road trip around New Zealand's South Island. We traveled in a Toyota Land Cruiser with a rooftop tent, waking up to some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. It was freezing cold and some mornings were not so fun to wake up to but that's all a part of the fun of camping on the road. That trip made me realize just how much I love capturing the beauty of the world.

I aimed to inspire other women by showing them that they can pursue their dreams independently. Despite concerns about the safety of solo female travel, I discovered that venturing alone not only helped me find myself but also sparked my creativity. Adding a human presence to landscapes, I believe, allows viewers to immerse themselves in the moment, feeling as though they're right there with me.

Also coming from the modeling background it's a fun way to incorporate both my passions. I was scouted to model at the age of 15 so I did a bit of modeling even before picking up a camera.

Traveling alone as a woman can sometimes feel restrictive, especially in certain places where caution is essential. That's why I also enjoy traveling with other photographers to some destinations—it's not only safer but also brings the joy of discovery with company. When I'm solo, I always make sure to have secure access to data wherever I go, and I share my location with trusted individuals for added safety.

My travels have truly opened my eyes to the beauty of life's simple pleasures. Whether it's witnessing a breathtaking sunrise, listening to the soothing crash of waves, or reveling in the tranquility of remote landscapes, every moment holds its own magic. There's something truly exhilarating about summiting a mountain that I can't quite put into words.

One of the most unforgettable destinations I've had the privilege to photograph is Namibia. It's a land of vast emptiness yet teeming with wildlife, boasting the world's largest sand dunes. Deadvlei stands out as one of the most remarkable places I've ever visited. This salt and clay pan, surrounded by red dunes, is home to dead trees that have stood for over 900 years, they never decompose due to the dry climate. I would return to Deadvlei in a heartbeat; there's a sense that I barely scratched the surface of its beauty during my visit. I'm also incredibly blessed to be from New Zealand, we get the best of everything here, amazing mountains, waterfalls and beautiful beaches.

With this collection, my aim is to reconnect with my roots and convey my passion for landscapes while also sharing my journey from modeling and how it shapes my current work. I seek to remind people of the beauty in everyday moments if we pause to appreciate them. Through my travels, I've discovered more about myself, and I aspire to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world around them.

I carefully selected each piece for this collection, aiming for a blend of landscapes, self-portraits, and nude art to reflect my personal and artistic journey. These artworks serve as an invitation for others to join me on this path and showcase my versatility both behind and in front of the camera.

It was a hard selection process but these pieces really stood out to me for different reasons.

Ethereal captures a profound challenge to our perception of reality. It emerges from the juxtaposition of various elements: the stunning red dunes of Namibia and the solitary trees. This photo captures a peaceful scene in a chaotic setting. The contrast between light and shadow on the dunes, along with the lone tree, creates a serene feeling amidst the chaos. Namibia was my first big trip I embarked on since committing to following my passion full time. I had never even been to Africa before so it's one of those experiences you never forget.

"Into the Unknown" holds a special place in my heart. I spent a whole month exploring New Zealand's South Island in mid-2021, accompanied by fellow photographers who introduced me to the world of NFTs. This piece felt essential for my collection, not knowing the opportunities it would bring. NFTs opened doors for my art to reach global audiences. The artwork symbolizes finding light in darkness, reflecting my belief that understanding darkness is crucial to appreciating light. Our darkest times often teach us the most about ourselves.

Soulful Wanderer: Embracing authenticity

This piece holds immense emotional significance for me, as it delves into a deeply personal journey of vulnerability. My affinity for creating nude art stems from my own struggles with conforming to societal beauty ideals in the modeling industry at a young age and contending with the challenges of athletes' triad. However, through this creative process, I've come to recognize my body as a temple I must cherish—a symbol of my resilience and inner strength, and a source of profound pride. Embracing my unfiltered, authentic self has been a daunting yet transformative experience, leading me towards greater self-acceptance and love.

The essence of photography lies in its entire journey—from conceptualization to realization. Often, it involves repeated attempts to capture the image in mind. For me, photography serves as a medium of self-expression, embodying my passions and narrating my personal story.

Each process unfolds uniquely for me; I prefer allowing things to flow rather than imposing strict control. Some shots I have require a lot more planning, while others are inspired by the spontaneity of my surroundings.

For the pieces in this collection I shot in Namibia, I intentionally avoided extensive research beforehand, opting instead to let the landscape be my guide and muse. The sheer uniqueness of the terrain proved to be an awe-inspiring experience.

Shooting Soulful Wanderer was a slightly different experience, I knew the area well and we got to this ridgeline not another person in sight and just sat and reflected for hours watching the rain pass by and rainbows would appear often. I felt this sense of freedom and liberation. Which made me feel inspired to get completely in touch with nature in my most raw form. I wanted to push myself to embrace vulnerability and not let fear hold me back.

I'm excited to keep pushing the boundaries with conceptual art in landscapes. I aim to explore more off-the-grid destinations where I can fully disconnect and concentrate solely on creating. One of my dreams is to merge my art with the music I write. Growing up with a mom who was deeply involved in music, it's a secret passion of mine, singing in nature is where I gain a lot of inspiration. Sharing my story through song, rather than just a description beneath a piece, would perfectly blend both of my passions.

I'm thrilled about an upcoming collaboration with another artist in Europe. Our energies complement each other perfectly, and we're confident that together, we can create something truly magical. While I can't reveal too many details just yet, I'm eagerly looking forward to bringing our ideas to life.