The Journal
Insights & Guides
Practical tips, guides and stories to help you get more out of your photography.
Tips
2 November 2026
Waterfall long exposure photography: ND filter basics for NZ
Learn waterfall long exposure photography basics with ND filters, from choosing filter strength to camera settings for silky water shots in NZ.
Tips
30 October 2026
Lupin photography Tekapo: your guide to summer blooms
A beginner friendly guide to lupin photography in Tekapo, covering the best light, composition and timing for photographing the summer lupin fields.
Wildlife
27 October 2026
Gannet colony photography at Muriwai this summer
Learn gannet colony photography nz style at Muriwai this summer, with practical camera settings, timing tips and gear advice for total beginners.
Lighting
24 October 2026
How to photograph the Geminid meteor shower over NZ
A beginner's guide to geminid meteor shower photography in New Zealand, with camera settings, gear and locations for clear December skies.
Editing
21 October 2026
Lightroom Beach Photo Editing for True-to-Life Colour
Learn simple Lightroom techniques to keep your holiday beach photos looking natural and true-to-life every time.
Wildlife
18 October 2026
Little Blue Penguin Photography: Fledging Season Guide
Master little blue penguin photography this fledging season with beginner-friendly tips on gear, light, ethics and composition.
Lighting
15 October 2026
Harsh Sunlight Photography Tips for Summer Portraits
Harsh sunlight photography tips to beat midday glare with simple fill-flash tricks for bright, balanced summer portraits.
Editing
14 October 2026
Is AI Photo Editing Fair Game? NZIPP's New Rules
Curious about AI photo editing rules? Discover how NZIPP's new guidelines reshape editing standards, and what they mean for beginner photographers today.
Wildlife
13 October 2026
NZ Fur Seal Pupping Season: A Photographer's Guide
Learn how to photograph fur seal pups in New Zealand this season, with tips on gear, ethics, and light for beginners.
Wildlife
12 October 2026
Tui Season: Tui Bird Photography in Kowhai Bloom
Learn tui bird photography tips to capture New Zealand's tui feeding on kowhai blossoms during spring in Aotearoa.
Portraits
11 October 2026
Spring Portrait Photography NZ: Couples in Blossoms
Learn essential tips for spring portrait photography nz sessions, posing couples beautifully among blossoms with confidence and natural light.
Portraits
10 October 2026
Spring Family Mini Sessions NZ: A Quick Holiday Guide
Learn how family mini sessions nz work this spring school holidays, with tips on booking, prepping kids, and choosing the right photographer.
Lighting
9 October 2026
NZ's Milky Way Season Begins: When & Where to Shoot
NZ's milky way season has begun! Learn when it's visible, the best dark-sky spots, and simple tips to start milky way photography nz this autumn.
Tips
8 October 2026
Golden Hour Photography Tips for NZ's Long Spring Evenings
Discover golden hour photography tips to capture NZ's long spring evenings beautifully, perfect for beginners wanting stunning natural light shots.
Tips
7 October 2026
The Exposure Triangle Explained: Aperture, Shutter, ISO
Learn how the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) works together to create perfectly exposed, creative photos as a beginner.
Wildlife
10 August 2026
Bird Photography: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started
Bird photography is one of the most technically demanding genres in the field — the subjects are small, fast, and easily frightened. Here's where to start.
Business
20 July 2026
A Practical Guide to Pricing Your Photography Business
Pricing is one of the most stressful parts of running a photography business — here's how to approach it as a business decision, not a guess.
Business
6 July 2026
How to Get Clients: Marketing Strategies for Photographers
Technical skill alone won't build a photography business — here are practical, sustainable strategies for finding and keeping clients.
Career
22 June 2026
Career Paths in Photography
Photography opens the door to a wide range of careers, from weddings and portraits to commercial work, photojournalism, and content creation.
Career
8 June 2026
How to Break Into Commercial Photography in New Zealand
Commercial photography pairs creative skill with serious earning potential — here's how to break into the field.
Lighting
25 May 2026
Advanced Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers
Professionals don't just find good light, they make it — advanced techniques for creative control in any environment.
Editing
11 May 2026
Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques
Retouching turns a good portrait into a polished, professional image — done tastefully, it should be invisible.
Portraits
27 April 2026
How to Pose Non-Models for Natural, Flattering Portraits
Most portrait clients aren't professional models — here's how to direct everyday people into natural, confident poses.
Portraits
13 April 2026
Portrait Photography: Outdoor Portraits in New Zealand
From location scouting to managing harsh midday sun - a practical guide to shooting outdoor portraits anywhere in New Zealand.
Lighting
30 March 2026
Portrait Photography Course: Studio Lighting Setups
From one-light Rembrandt setups to full three-light configurations - a practical guide to studio lighting for portrait photographers.
Lighting
16 March 2026
Photography Course for Beginners: Natural Light Techniques
You don't need a studio to take beautiful photos - learn to see, evaluate and use natural light like a professional.
Tips
2 March 2026
Essential Composition Techniques Every Beginner Should Learn
You can have perfect exposure and razor-sharp focus, but if your composition is weak, the image won't hold a viewer's attention. Here's where to start.
Tips
16 February 2026
Photography Course for Beginners: Camera Settings Explained
A clear, practical guide to aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance and more - the camera settings every beginner needs to understand.