NZIPP Iris Awards and Photoshow Conference
What a week down south in Christchurch! I have just returned home from eight intense, inspiring, and hugely rewarding days at the NZIPP Iris Awards and Photoshow conference.
For those unfamiliar, each year the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) hosts the Iris Awards, a photography competition exclusively for professional photographers. There are multiple categories, including Animal (for domestic animals) and entrants can submit either printed or digital entries that are then scored live in Christchurch.
Three Days of Judging
My trip began with three full days of watching the live judging. The days were long, running from 8am straight through to 8pm, but watching the process live is easily one of my favourite parts of the entire event. Hearing judges critique images across every category, from portraiture to landscape, is a great way to learn and appreciate the craft we all love.
The Animal Category, my absolute passion, was judged on the second afternoon. In the Iris Awards, entrants can submit physical prints or digital entries. Print judging always comes first, followed by digital. Because all nine of my entries were digital this year, I had a nervous three hour wait into the nearly six hour judging session before my work appeared on screen.
Sitting in the room while a panel of five judges dissects your work in real time is a nerve-wracking experience, but I was happy with how my images faired.
Watching one of my images of Cairo get judged.
Every image is scored out of 100, and the average score determines the award level:
<74: Unawarded
75-79: Bronze Award
80–84: Silver Award
85–89: Silver with Distinction
90–94: Gold Award
95-100: Gold with Distinction
If a judge feels strongly that an image deserves a higher score than the panel average, they can challenge the score. The panel then debates the merits of the piece before rescoring. Seven of my nine entries were challenged by judges advocating for them, and every single score went up after the discussion.
My Iris Award Results:
7 Silver Awards
1 Silver with Distinction
1 Gold Award (scoring 92!)
Statistically, physical print entries scored four points higher on average than digital entries across the Animal category (which is normal for print vs digital in most categories), which made these digital scores even sweeter. My score of 92 was also the only Gold awarded across all digital entries in the Animal Category!
To top off the judging days, I learned at the wrap party on Thursday night that my top three scoring images placed me as one of three finalists for NZ Professional Animal Photographer of the Year. I was super happy with this result as I’m used to competing internationally, but scoring at home in New Zealand too feels extra special.
Surprise International Awards
Right in the middle of the Iris Awards judging on Tuesday morning, another big email came through: the results for the International Pet Photography Awards.
With over 4,200 entries globally, the competition was fierce. Out of my 11 entries, I was thrilled to receive:
1 Gold Award
2 Images placed in the Top 100 Worldwide
1 Silver with Distinction
2 Silver Awards
5 Bronze with Distinction Awards
2 Bronze Awards
Knowing that my images resonated so strongly with international judges while simultaneously being evaluated right here in Christchurch was an incredible feeling.
The Photoshow Conference & Gala Night Celebrations
On Friday, the focus shifted to the Photoshow conference. Two full days of continuous learning, inspiration, and business deep dives. We heard from extraordinary speakers covering everything from specialised animal photography and business mindset, to fine art portrait editing and landscape work. For me, investing in continuous development is not just about winning awards, it is about keeping my craft sharp, expanding my creative vision, and bringing back refined techniques to my wonderful client’s here in Wellington.
My amazing husband flew down on Sunday morning to join me for the Gala Awards Night. He handles so much behind the scenes, from holding down the fort at home, looking after our own dogs, to keeping life running smoothly so I can dedicate long hours to my photography business. Having him there to dress up and celebrate together meant the world to me – he even wore socks with dogs on them for good luck!
While I did not take home the category title, being named a category finalist with an all-digital portfolio was an unbelievable milestone.
There was also a hilarious moment during the gala awards... I stepped away to the bathroom at precisely the wrong minute, only to return to my table to learn my name had just been called on stage. Based on my competition points, I had officially earned my NZIPP Associateship Medal. I honestly had no idea there was a medal for less than ‘Master Photographer’ which I knew I couldn’t achieve in my first year but was working towards, so missing my actual walk across the stage gave our table a great laugh! This is very me, as I’m always pushing for the best, but it’s nice to still have the Associateship, something I see as working in the right direction. I managed to collect the medal later that evening and it now hangs in my studio at home.
Why Pushing the Boundaries Matters to Me
It was an exhausting and exhilarating week! Beyond the awards and medals, surrounding myself with people who care deeply about photography also means a lot to me. A special shout out to Kelly, Kayla, and Donna for making the trip so wonderful with their laughter, support and friendship.
I enter these competitions and attend these conferences because I never want to stop improving. Pushing myself to meet international benchmarks means that every portrait I create for you and your dog is backed by technical precision, artistic intent, and care.
Thank you all for following along on this journey and for trusting me with your gorgeous pups. I am so excited to get back behind the lens and create more artwork for your home!
