Young Photographer Awards 2026

Join us for a special evening celebrating the creativity, achievements and unique perspectives of young photographers from across the Wellington region and beyond. Following the success of our inaugural awards in 2025, which brought together nearly 200 children, families, photographers and supporters, the Young Photographer Awards are returning for another inspiring celebration! Organised by The Art of Seeing Academy, the awards recognise young people aged 7–18 who have participated in our photography workshops throughout the year. For many of these young photographers, this may be the first time their work has been publicly celebrated. Every photograph tells a story, and every young photographer brings a different way of seeing the world. What to expect on the night This year's ceremony will bring together young photographers, their families, professional photographers and our wider creative community. The evening will feature: • Young Photographer Awards presentation: Celebrating selected young photographers and recognising their creativity, effort and achievements. • Five inspiring guest speakers: Professional photographers sharing their experiences, creative journeys and stories from behind the lens. • Young photographers' work: A celebration of the images, ideas and perspectives developed through our workshops. • A community celebration: An opportunity to come together, support young talent and recognise the importance of creativity in young people's lives. Meet our guest speakers We are delighted to welcome five professional photographers who will share their experiences, insights and stories with our young creatives Fairlie Atkinson Photography in service of our community Fairlie is a photography teacher at Kāpiti College who has helped students achieve national recognition through awards and exhibitions. Passionate about creativity and community, she encourages young photographers to use their images to tell meaningful stories, advocate for causes they care about and make a positive difference. Tara Swan Wildlife photography and conservation Tara is a wildlife photographer and ecologist with over a decade of experience working with rare birds. Her photography focuses on Aotearoa's native wildlife and Kaimanawa horses. She'll share how photography can tell the stories of our natural world and inspire greater care for wildlife and conservation. Dave Allen Overcoming self-doubt in photography With over 30 years of experience in photography and videography, Dave will explore how to build confidence as a photographer. He'll share insights into managing self-doubt, stepping outside your comfort zone and recognising the creative strengths that come with being yourself. Stephen Garner Projects, corgis, and people: How I get unstuck when I don't know what to photograph Stephen has been taking photographs since receiving his first camera at age six. He loves street, travel and documentary photography, often accompanied by his two wind-up corgis, Dante and Virgil. He'll share his playful approach to finding inspiration and overcoming creative blocks. Emmeline Plachecki Beyond the lens: The stories, feelings and connections behind equine photography Emmeline is a New Zealand photographer specialising in equine photography. Combining her understanding of horses with a creative eye, she captures the emotions, personalities and connections that make each horse unique. She'll explore how photography can tell stories that go beyond what we see. Every young photographer deserves to be seen Throughout 2026, The Art of Seeing Academy has continued to introduce children and teenagers to photography through hands-on workshops across the Lower North Island region. Some participants pick up a camera for the first time. Others return to develop their skills, explore new ideas and discover their own photographic style. Our workshops encourage young people to slow down, observe their surroundings, express themselves and build confidence through creativity. We welcome young people of all abilities, backgrounds and learning needs. The Young Photographer Awards are an opportunity to recognise their progress and celebrate what they have achieved. Come and celebrate with us! Whether you are a parent, a young photographer, a photography enthusiast or simply someone who believes in supporting young creative talent, we would love to see you there. Join us for an evening of inspiring stories, wonderful photographs and well-deserved recognition for our next generation of photographers.