Tribal Treasures: An article about Tania Niwa in Rex Inflight Magazine

I was recently interviewed in National Regional Airline Inflight 'Out There Magazine'."  

The young journalist assigned to write for the Artspace section happened to be photographed by me a decade ago with her sister for their dad's birthday.  She was therefore able to share her own personal experience of working with me, while also writing about how my heritage has helped define my fine art photography.

The portrait of the MAORI WARRIOR in a suit with full facial moko (tattoos) is my Great Great Great Grandfather Te Porikapa, who was a warrior scout for Pacifist Taranaki Tribal Leader, Te Whiti O Rongo Mai.  Te Porikapa's Grandson was named Aniwaniwa which is where my family surname 'Niwa' started.  Aniwaniwa translates into 'Child of the Mist'.

The traditional Maori Meeting House is Owae Marae, which sits before the majestic Mount Taranaki.  Growing up next to the Marae was a constant source of inspiration.  Our art teacher would also take us there to draw the detail of the carvings.  It was very fitting that one of my very first experimentations in creating my own photographic style, was taken at the Marae (see image on first page with young woman) in about 1992.

Janine Burns, Media Relations Expert for U.S. State Dept (NZ) visits for a corporate headshots shoot with Niwa Photography

I first met Janine Burns in 2006 when I was in New Zealand to be the guest speaker at a Ronald Woolf Memorial Photography event for the Photographic Society of New Zealand.

Over the years Janine and I have stayed in touch; she has followed my blog and kept up with my photography.

She flew over from Wellington recently and we had a lot of fun capturing a series of images for her.

Janine spent nearly a decade working in television newsrooms before spending the past 10 years doing media relations for the U.S. State Department.

When training people to interact with media, one of the things she recommends is having a range of quality photos available for use.

"I thought it was about time I took my own advice," she laughs.

"When you delve into your wardrobe you look for something that works for the occasion. Something that is both appropriate and that reflects your personality.

"The flexibility to select from a range of photos in the same way really works," she says.

I couldn't agree more.

Tania Niwa

Student Photography Holiday Workshop with Tania Niwa Photographer

Students who attended our last school holiday photography workshop had so much fun they have asked that we run another one for them this school holidays.  

The weather didn't deter this keen bunch.  Pictured (l to r): Catherine Boffa, Me (Tania Niwa), Holly Head,  Maria-Teresa Pirello (crouching), Alana Walsh, Sophie Hughes, Henry Hughes, Thomas Hughes.

 TO JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT STUDENT SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOP SEE BELOW.
 Please note: Date has now changed from 4th (as shown below) to new date of 5th October.

  

Sophie, and siblings Henry and Thomas Hughes pictured.  Both Henry and Thomas are passionate surfers, and wanted to see how it felt to use my professional gear to take pictures of the guys surfing at Queenscliff Beach.  They were very extremely excited about the capabilities of pro gear, how many megapixels they were capable of, and what the fact that they were holding THOUSANDS of dollars of camera gear in their hands.

Thomas Hughes proudly showing his big sister Sophie Hughes what he had achieved after practicing how to compose a portrait.  Canon kindly loaned a couple of extra cameras so that students could experience what it was like to use a digital slr.

FLASH MOB HAKA AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE [EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY SYDNEY]

The power of FaceBook...  Social Media was to thank for the success of a dynamic 'Flash Mob Haka' performed on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House.  Following a series of Haka performed around Auckland in random places like Malls and the main street of Auckland (stopping traffic) New Zealand Rugby Fans in Perth and Sydney followed suit.

A packed house for the Flash Mob Haka to celebrate the opening of the World Cup rugby in New Zealand.  The atmosphere was electric!

Channel 9 showed the event on the 6pm news.  If you missed it I am sure you may find one of the hundreds of supporters who put it on YouTube.

Aboriginal Elder, Max Eulo opened the gathering (spot him in the centre).

Pet Labrador Portrait at Cremorne Point, North Shore, Sydney [Dog Photographer Sydney]

Meet Benson, who is a very inquisitive, fun loving and mild tempered member of the Gardiner Family. 

Maltese x Shih Tzu Studio Portrait [Pet Portraits Sydney]

Meet the very adorable Shiraz... 

We met Shiraz last summer when we captured their family portrait.  This time round Shiraz took centre stage at our studio.  

 

 
She was a real treat to photograph, with her myriad of expressions and gregarious personality.   

Shiraz looking up to her adoring mama Heather.

SBS Feature a story about a son finding his Mum from a Niwa Fine Art Portrait published in Better Photography Magazine years ago

http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/behindthefrontdoor/episodes/detail/episode/4381/season/1

Thanks to a feature story in Better Photography Magazine by Peter Eastway about my tribal portraiture in 2007, an amazing story has resulted for gorgeous French African model and friend Benedicta Gensen. The Portrait above is aptly named "The Prayer" and was taken at her home in Neutral Bay.

Benedicta was violated at 18yrs of age and became pregnant, then thrown out of home and forced to give up her son (Ben is now in his 20's).  She was unable to ever find Ben but he actually found her when he googled her first name. 

The Better Photography Magazine excerpt featuring the internationally awarded images came up and he was then able to trace her.   The story has been told in Episode 1 of 'Behind The Front Door' Documentary on SBS.  See the episode - it is very touching!!!

STUDENT HOLIDAY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Student Photography workshops are designed to be fun, fast paced, and educational.

Howse Family Portraits at their Home [Family Portrait Photography Mosman]

We had the pleasure of photographing the wonderful Howse family at their majestic home in Mosman.  We were able to include the character of their home which is federation in style and over 100 yrs old!

Meet Annie, Kate, Hayden and Harrison Howse out on their spacious rear verandah.

We were thrilled to see the late afternoon light creating intense shadows at what will soon be a grand new entrance to the Howse home.  Kate and Hayden were amused that I chose the part of the house that was about to be pulled apart.  We were very fortunate that the old blinds hadn't been pulled down which created fantastic angled patterns as a striking backdrop.

My inspiration for this series of images of Annie and Harrison came from seeing a recent Alfred Stieglitz Photography Exhibition at The Art Gallery of NSW.  My favourite image was of a glamorous young woman sitting in profile at her kitchen table in her New York Apartment in the early 1900s.  The wall behind her had similar light and shadows presumably cast by blinds or shutters. 

Annie and Harrison are the best of buddies.  We created a series of three images of the children together to reflect their friendship to admire now and in years to come.

Annie and Harrison with close family friend Dale.

Portraiture of our Mentor Suzie White of Mosman

Suzie White

We have photographed family events for Suzie's family over the last decade and become great friends.  More recently she has become a treasured mentor and is about to join our team in a marketing role.  We are very much looking forward to working with her!

Gratwicke [Family Portraits] at their home in Pymble

We would like to share our latest family portraits of the lovely Gratwicke family at their home in the beautiful leafy suburb of Pymble.  As there was torrential rain only minutes after starting our portrait session we focused on portraits inside and went back another time for outdoor portraits in their gardens.  We were able to take advantage of a spacious family room,  and used studio lighting to capture everyone including their superstar Labradoodle, Charlie.

Maddy and Tom with their very cuddly Labradoodle, Charlie.

Maddy, Kate, Adrian and Tom at home

Maddy and Charlie

Tom and Charlie

It had already starting drizzling as we took this image.

QUEENSTOWN

Taking photos for fun - blizzards, snow storms, beautiful rays of light...all in one day

 A 'white out' on the way to Snow Farm, Cardrona, Otago photo courtesy David Patterson

After spending a few days judging at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Awards and conference  in Queenstown a few of my colleagues and I went on explorations around the south Island of NZ.  You might set out with brilliant weather and then as you drive higher into the hills wearing totally inapproriate clothes (runnng shoes weren't realy cutting it - nothing like wet socks for comfort and frozen toes) you realise you didn't quite prepare as well as we should have.

Three AIPP Masters of Photography

A note from Tania...   " I got quite a surprise to see myself in this image as I had totally forgotten we had posed for this image.  I was In Perth late last year judging at their State Awards and presenting when I was somehow coerced into sitting for a portrait with two of my fellow Masters of Photography (I was trying to be relaxed and confident but really all I was thinking  was  - do I look like an idiot trying to look cool! ).   Des Birt (far left) took me on a tour of photography studios.  We visited the absolutely divine Sarre Photography in Subiaco.  Garry Sarre is pictured in the centre.  Garry's daughter Odelia was the clever creator of this image."

 

Read what Odelia's thoughts were about it's creation...

"I named the image M.Photog. It is a Portrait of Des Birt, Garry Sarre and Tania Niwa.

Having three Master Photographers in your studio doesn’t happen every day and while I found it extremely daunting at the time I’m so glad we took the opportunity to get them all in FRONT of the camera for a change! I really liked the concept of each of the photographers looking in the same direction but each with their own vision. Each photographer in the image was very different in style and personality yet it was photography that they had in common and tied them together. I wanted to incorporate the “photography” aspect so I shot a Hasselblad body to use as a frame around the subjects.

Des, Garry and Tania have all been in the industry for a long time so when Garry suggested I enter the image into APPA I was terrified! I thought at least I’m not going to APPA [Australian Professional Photography Awards]  this year to see it in person.  I am glad that I did as for this Portrait I received my first National Award on my third year of entering – a Silver. I also entered this image as part of my folio for the Western Australian awards and received a Silver Distinction. "

Latest Portraits

Hannah Winchester, 21yrs old of Avalon.  I last photographed Hannah and younger sister Bonnie at Warriewood Beach about 13 years ago.  Hannah is about to graduate as a primary school teacher, while Bonnie is studying to be a nurse in Canberra.  We have worked with their talented Hair and Make-up artist mum Melinda McEvoy over the last 15 years for weddings, commercial shoots and portraits.  Melinda was in charge of hair and make-up for the girls at our studio using natural window light. 

Bonnie Winchester, 19yrs old of Avalon

Petra Woodley (nee Bayfield) of Whale Beach subtly shows her pregnant belly.  Petra and her hubby are expecting their second bub in 3 mths.  We have photographed Petra and her family many times over the past decade.

Baby Buds Mother's Group of the Year - Forest Winners

Baby Buds (a fabulous online gift store for baby gifts  www.babybuds.com.au) ran a contest to find the Mother's Group of the Year.  Frenchs Forest Mothers group were the winners, with a letter written by Lija Arthur (third from left).  NIiwa Photography were commisioned by Bab Buds to capture the group for a feature in 'My Child Magazine' Spring Issue. 

Here are the beautiful winning words Lija Arthur wrote about her Mother's Group:  

"One of the best things in life is our mothers group friends. We have grown to care for our own as well as each others bubs. We share our fears, crises, stories of poo, laughter and love. We support each other on broad shoulders and warm hearts. 

On a regular basis we can depend on each other to listen with care and lift our spirits when feeling sick or depressed. In a community where one often doesn't know your neighbours and where help in the form of family may be far away. I can depend on the sisters I never had. 

My children enjoy the security of a park filled with friendly faces. They can learn to share and not to pull hair. It's nearing the time for our first birthday party. This year has literally screamed past in the blink of an eye. Although many have to return to work, the friendships we've made will endure. 

I hope we will one day celebrate their 21st birthdays and congratulate each Mother for a job well done and reflect upon the pieces of each other we can see in the characters of our young."

Next Photography Workshop 17th August 1pm

Group Photography Tuition: 4 hrs   1pm – 5pm      ***Just one spot left ***
Saturday 17th July 2010 $250.00  

 You will learn simple but effective portrait photography techniques to significantly
improve your photos of people in all occasions (every day and special events).
Workshop covers composition/posing, working with people, understanding technical
aspects of your camera.

The first part of your workshop will be at our studio, and the second part will be
off-site on location so you can learn the techniques of outdoor portrait photography.
Workbook also included with ‘easy to understand’ technical information and tips.
Lunch will be provided.

JENNY GREEN SCULPTOR STUDIO SHOOT

  

Jenny Green who has her studio in the same complex as Niwa Photography commissioned us to update imagery of her sculptures for use on her website and for exhibition catalogues.

Jenny’s sculpture is typically abstract and figurative using a variety of materials including bronze, resin, plaster, ceramics, and welded steel.  Jenny is President of the Sculptors Society www.sculptorssociety.com.  Her latest images will be on her website soon www.jennygreen.net