ABOUT ME

Kia ora, I’m Awhina Russell Burke — a visual storyteller, soul-led photographer, and creative firestarter based in Invercargill, Southland. I’ve been behind the lens professionally since 2012, but photography has always been my way of seeing the world — through emotion, energy, connection, and colour.

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I specialise in personal branding and creative portraits for wāhine who are done playing small. My work is equal parts intuitive and intentional. I don’t just take pretty photos — I hold space, I see you, and I reflect you back to yourself in the most empowering way possible. Whether you're showing up as the face of your brand, reclaiming your confidence, or capturing a transformational chapter in your life — I create images that say: This is who I am. And I’m ready.

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My studio is nestled in the heart of Invercargill’s CBD — full of soft natural light, curated backdrops, vintage treasures, and a wardrobe to play dress-up in (because YES, we do that too). But I also travel — because sometimes your story needs the forest, the ocean, a windswept field, or your own sacred space.

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What makes me different? I’m a little bit magic, a lotta bit real. I’ve got range — I can shoot your headshot, your branding, your boudoir, and your barefoot soul in the wild. I mix light like paint, I talk too much (you’ll love it), and I care DEEPLY about creating a space where you feel safe, hyped up, and truly seen.

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Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou through my whakapapa, I bring that wāhine Māori mana into everything I do. My sessions aren’t just about how you look — they’re about how you feel, what you’re stepping into, and who you’re becoming.

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If you're craving images that reflect your depth, power, softness, style, and edge — I’m your Woman. Let’s co-create something unforgettable.

Awhina Russell Burke
Awhina Russell Fine Art Photographer
Invercargill, Southland, NZ