ABOUT SIMON CARTWRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
The person behind the lens.
Commercial and event photographer. Hawke's Bay based, North Island connected, NZIPP accredited.
Simon Cartwright MNZIPP (Dist)
I grew up in West Yorkshire in the UK, moved to Hawke's Bay with my wife Mandy and son Daniel in 2011, and never looked back. This region has shaped how I see and what I shoot. It's in the work.
Over the past decade, I've built a commercial photography practice that I'm genuinely proud of. My clients range from local trades businesses and healthcare providers to national infrastructure companies and major event organisers. What connects them is a shared understanding that good photography is a business asset, not a line item.
I'm an Accredited Professional Commercial Photographer with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), and a 2025 New Zealand Travel Photographer of the Year finalist. I work from Havelock North with a second base in Taupo, which puts me within easy reach of clients across the central and lower North Island.
I work primarily as a sole operator, which means the person you speak to is the person who shows up on the day. For larger events that require multi-photographer coverage, I draw on a trusted network of experienced Hawke's Bay-based associate photographers to ensure consistent quality across the full shoot.
Commercially minded, based in Hawke’s Bay and Taupō, and built for businesses that need quality without the fluff.
Why Choose Simon Cartwright?
10+
Years of commercial & event experience.
NZIPP
Accredited professional standard and industry-backed credibility.
2
Bases: Havelock North & Taupō, North Island connected.
Fast
Quick turnaround from booking to delivery.
What you can expect when we work together.
HOW I WORK
Every project is different, but the way I approach my work stays consistent. Here's what that looks like in practice.
The brief comes first.
Before any shoot, I take the time to understand what you actually need. That means understanding your business, your audience, and how the images will be used. A good brief leads to better photography. It's that simple.
I deliver on time, every time.
Turnaround is important to me because I know it's important to you. I work to agreed timelines and communicate clearly if anything changes. My clients tend to come back, and I think that says something about how I operate.
You deal with me directly.
There's no account manager between us. You'll have my mobile number, and I'll respond quickly. The person you talk to in the planning stage is the same person behind the lens on the day.
The images are built to work.
I'm not just capturing moments, I'm creating assets. Every image I deliver is edited to a professional standard and suitable for print, digital, and social use. If you need specific formats or sizing, just ask.
RECOGNITION FOR THE WORK.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Awards matter because they reflect an independently judged standard of quality. Here are some of the recognitions I'm proud of.
AWARDS
2026 NZIPP Iris Awards
1 No. Gold Award
1 No. Silver Distinction Award
3 No. Silver Awards
5 No. Bronze Awards
2025 NZ Travel Photographer of the Year - Finalist
New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
2025 NZIPP Iris Awards
2 No. Silver Distinction Awards
5 No. Silver Award
4 No. Bronze Awards
2024 New Zealand Institute of Architects ‘Resilience’ competition, part of the Aotearoa Festival of Architecture
3rd place (open category)
2024 NZIPP Iris Awards
2 No. Silver Distinction Awards
1 No. Silver Award
6 No. Bronze Awards
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
2026 Master of Photography with Distinction (MNZIPP Dist)
New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
2024 Associate Distinction (ANZIPP)
New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
2022 NZIPP Professional Commercial Photographer Accreditation
New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
Broader coverage when your event needs it.
ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHERS
For large-scale events requiring multi-photographer coverage, I work with a trusted group of experienced Hawke's Bay-based photographers. Everyone I bring in works to the same brief and the same standard.
Michelle Fey, Associate Photographer
Michelle is an Award Winning NZIPP-accredited portrait photographer based in Hawke's Bay. She joins the team as a second shooter on larger events where additional coverage is required.
Ian Cooper, Associate Photographer
Ian is an experienced Hawke's Bay photographer with a background in press and sports photography. He assists with event coverage on projects requiring a second shooter.
Need aerial photography?
Ask me about current drone partners.