ABOUT ME

Kia ora, I’m Awhina.

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I’m a multi-dimensional photographer who works primarily with women — creatives, entrepreneurs, mothers, leaders, and women stepping into new chapters of themselves. What I love most about this work is the connection that happens when I’m working closely with someone, usually one-on-one, creating images that feel deeply personal, intentional, and honest.

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I’ve been a photographer for over 20 years, and over that time my work has grown into something that blends technical mastery with intuition and emotional awareness. I’m equally at home working in the studio, outdoors in nature, or on location inside someone’s business or personal environment. Being able to move between those spaces allows me to create work that can be polished and strategic, expressive and artistic, or often a blend of both.

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Many of the women I work with tell me they feel nervous about being in front of the camera, and that’s completely normal. You don’t need to know how to pose, perform, or be anything other than yourself. My role is to guide you with care, clarity, and direction so you can relax into the experience. I pay close attention to light, movement, energy, and storytelling, because those details are what allow photographs to feel timeless rather than staged.

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A large part of my work centres around women and women in business. I understand how vulnerable it can feel to be visible, whether that visibility is personal, professional, or somewhere in between. I don’t believe photography is about changing who you are or presenting a polished version of yourself that feels disconnected. I believe it’s about helping you be seen with confidence, integrity, and truth.

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My work is grounded in a strong kaupapa that guides how I hold space for every client. At its heart is the belief that this is a space created to care for women — a space where there is no pressure to perform or rush, and where respect, dignity, and emotional safety are central to the experience. I work slowly and intentionally because meaningful imagery is rarely created through speed. It comes from trust, collaboration, and presence.

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Outside of photography, I am a 40-year-old wahine shaped by life, creativity, and lived experience. I whakapapa Māori, and those cultural values of connection, respect, and relationship naturally flow into the way I work and the environments I create for the women who step into my space. I am deeply drawn to light, land, story, and people, and photography has become the way I bring all of those elements together.

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If you’ve found your way here, there’s often a reason. Many women come to me when they’re moving through change, growth, or a moment where they want to honour themselves or their journey. If my work resonates with you and you’re looking for imagery that feels meaningful, considered, and deeply personal, I would love to walk alongside you in creating it.

Awhina Russell Fine Art Photographer