Very happy! Harry Broad and my book ‘Molesworth – Stories from New Zealand’s largest high-country station’ has won the Booksellers Choice award at the prestiguous national NZ Post book awards.
Molesworth Book wins prestigous award, NZ Post Book Awards 2014 (photo: Mark Tantrum)
On stage to accept the award (on behalf of Harry Broad too), it struck me how wearing a suit and tie here was about as far away from a horseback on the Kaikoura Ranges in sleet and snow mustering cattle with the young stockmen; an irony that felt good.
I’d like to thank Nielsen Book Services and New Zealand Post for their support of the award. Department of Conservation and Landcorp for supporting the work Harry and I did. Jim and Tracey Ward, as managers of Molesworth, they gave us tremendous access and freedom to the Station – I’m sure letting a couple of ‘North Island townies’ loose on the property was a punt, so thank you. Also, the young stockmen that I worked alongside were great company and willing helpers to make things work – especially helping to coax a greenhorn horse rider into a horse rider of sorts – thank you. Robbie Burton worked passionately to make Molesworth a title to be proud of. Thank you Robbie, to you and your team at Craig Potton Publishing, I’ll be forever grateful for your work.
Thanks to readers and buyers. We’ve sold a tremendous number of books – in fact reprinting 3 times in a month, and that’s remarkable for New Zealand. Your support is fantastic and humbling. Clearly Molesworth connects deeply to the Kiwi pysche – and long may it I say.
Lastly, I’ve saved special thanks to all the booksellers that have stocked and supported our book. You are the ones that work at the interface with book buyers, and truly understand books and what people want. As a colleague in the industry said:
“What a marvellous achievement, congratulations! The Booksellers Choice Award is the best one to win as it is a reflection of consumer awareness, from the people who buy and sell books, not just the view of the judges for any one year.”
That is why the award means so much to me.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (winner of the 2013 Man Booker prize) was in our category, so it was a tremendous surprise to win, and underlines what a tremendous job Robbie Burton (above right) and his team at Craig Potton Publishing did to create Harry’s and my work into something of weight and substance. That’s some competition to weather!
Of course, Eleanor was very gracious in defeat by Molesworth I should add. She has had a tremendous year, and collected awards on the night too. It was great to spend time celebrating with her – clearly she has been able to keep her feet on the ground despite her incredible win on the world stage.
Eleanor Catton, Elise Grange, Rob Suisted
If you’d like to experience more of Molesworth, then have a go with these:
– Behind the scenes youtube during book filming. Caution, it may or may not contain footage of young stockmen swimming in freezing alpine tarns!
– Story and images from the tough Robinson Saddle Muster
– My Molesworth Station photos
– Quality Molesworth Book images for sale
– Buy the book from cpp.co.nz
Story portraits tell a story in one photograph. Rob Suisted creates award winning meaningful photographic portraits that capture the essence of an individual, their endeavours, or their lives. Rob is NZ photographer of the year in 2019/2020.
Here are some examples and their explanations:
Bryce Johnson, CEO Fish & Game Council. Canon Media Award winning portrait by Rob Suisted
This story portrait was shot to show Bryce Johnson’s role as key lobbyist for freshwater anglers – sports gear underwater, suit, phone and parliamentary papers above. Shot in one frame you can read how it was created here. This story portrait won portrait of the year in the prestigious Canon Media Awards.
Gareth Morgan, climate change advocate, among many other things. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Gareth Morgan is pretty high profile and has advocated for many interesting things. This image was created to acknowledge his climate change advocacy for a profile piece in NZ Geographic Magazine. The full story is laid out here, but in summary, I wanted to station him on a melting piece of ice in Antarctica to represent the dire situation our earth faces. The idea behind him holding the face mask and snorkel was a play to some people thinking our planet has a plan B more futile that diving gear to save Gareth. The image has been very successful, and used by Gareth to support the creation of a new political party in the general election. Finalist in the prestigious Canon Media Awards.
Lisa McLaren, Climate Change Advocate, future leader. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Lisa McLaren is an up and coming leader, advocate for climate action, and researcher. I was commissioned to take her story portrait. Key themes I chose to illustrate were: Low carbon (wind turbine), blue sky thinking and a breath of fresh air. We managed this in one shoot (with two attempts over two days due to weather) at Wellington’s Brooklyn wind turbine – during a gale force wind storm! Somewhat trying were conditions – wind opposing light, making it hard to wrangle hair, clothing and lighting equipment into the right directions, while blades on the turbine behind sat in the right position. The image also needed to portray Lisa in a pose with ‘Mana’, or gravitas, suitable for the role she’s taking on.
Dr Warren Williams, grasslands scientist, in Forage Germplasm coolstore. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Dr Warren Williams is a world leading grassland scientist at AgResearch in Palmerston North. This image was taken inside the coolstore archiving important pasture grasses and legumes from around the world. I included the magnifying glass of course as a hat tip to his research role, and placing him among such an important archive both makes for a visually interesting ‘science-y’ back drop, but also places him firmly among his research subjects.
Dr Jamie Steer, whose views regarding introduced pests species has made him a target. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Dr Jamie Steer has published some controversial views about introduced pest species and their future role in NZ. This is of course contrary to the main belief that anything introduced is bad. Dr Steer has of course made a target for himself. I was commissioned to shot this image to accompany a profile article, and thought it needed a strong story portrait to do the matter justice. I liked the simplicity of man with a target on himself, between introduced game animals that have had the same target. Full story of this portrait is here.
Roger Beattie, developer of the pacific pearl, grown in NZ Paua, Abalone. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Roger Beattie is an entrepreneur that created the Pacific Pearl by seeding NZ Abalone Shells. Here his story portrait endeavours to capture Roger’s passion, and also to tell the story of how Paua are farmed to create his jewellery products, at the actual site of creation.
Jackie Bedford, Wellington School of Philosophy. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
When arranging to take Jackie Bedford’s portrait at the School of Philosophy I noticed the noon sun reach down through the school’s skylights. I returned the next day with a haze machine to catch those rays and create this story portrait of a philosopher. The ray of light represents enlightenment during study.
Dr Gina Grimshaw, Senior Lecturer, Cognitive neuroscientist. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
How to make a brain teaser for a portrait of a brain researcher? This story portrait took some thinking through. I was commissioned to shoot this image and wanted to make our brains work to understand it. Firstly, Dr Gina Grimshaw is in a completely different room to her research subject. By exploiting ‘Snell’s Window‘ (the point at which light changes from refraction to reflection through glass) I was able to place them together. By placing different temperature light in the two rooms it helps the viewer understand the image, as do the post it notes on the glass. Dr Grimshaw (and the two dummy heads) actually sits off the far right of the photo. An appropriate way to create a story portrait of a neuroscientist I think.
Bill Robertson, ex-Surveyor General of New Zealand. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Bill Robertson is a fascinating man who has had a remarkable career, from survey fieldwork, to delineating war zones, to creating unique maps and charts. As Surveyor General of New Zealand, he was responsible for land jurisdiction through New Zealand and dependancies. When commissioned to shoot his portrait I felt it needed to include elements of his profession (the trig survey station), but also an eye looking out to the future, and horizon. Of course, weathered face and hands are testament to years in the mountains and elements.
Matthews Family, passing 170+ years of time on Waiorongomai Station. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
The Matthews family have farmed Waiorongomai Station, South Wairarapa, since the start. For me the story portrait I shot had to represent the passing of time, and their steadfast connection to the land here. By co-opting several hundred sheep as extras and letting my shutter drag for several seconds I was able to get the dynamic movement to capture the passing of time, while Charlie, Karla, and their kids stood perfectly still under the giant old tree planted by an ancestor.
Dr Jan Wright, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
I was commissioned to take Dr Jan Wright’s portrait to be used while she was Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. It would also be left in the office beside portraits of previous incumbents. Rather than conservative boardroom type portraits, we opted to tell more of her role – by simply placing her into the environment, and using some fantastic complimentary colours. It had to also capture the importance and gravitas of her role to Government. I have previously taken Dr Wright’s portrait with a stronger emphasis on telling the story of her role. More here.
Kevin Prime. NZ Conservationist of the Decade, Maori affairs, leader. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Kevin Prime is a noted conservationist, Commissioner with the Environment Court, Maori leader, farmer, ministerial advisor, role model, father of 13, and many other things. I was commissioned to shoot his portrait, which is daunting when you have to do justice to someone of this standing, or Mana. My thinking kept coming back to the feeling that Kevin is a metaphoric Kauri tree in our forest. I definitely wanted to capture Kevin inside a forest anyway, as I’d seen how much energy it gave this man; it lit his eyes and sparked up a youth like passion (these are observations that portrait photographers must start observing, long before photos are taken). I wanted to photograph Kevin with a giant Kauri tree, but it had to be done right, not cliched. When I put this idea to Kevin, he said “I know just the tree”. When we arrived, I saw a fire light up in this eyes, and then heard a strange noise and then felt it – the tree dropped it’s seeds on us. We looked at each other, he said “that’s auspicious”. We were on the right track. The photo above I’m pleased with; it associates Kevin with the King of the forest, but shows him in a humble natural way. His hand connects him to the giant Taonga, with respect. (Photo taken with proper biosecurity consideration regarding Kauri dieback disease)
Stu Muir, protecting wetland and river habitat for whitebait spawning. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Stu Muir is a farmer who cares about wetland restorations, living beside the mighty Waikato River delta. He’s put a lot of effort into habitat restoration for our native whitebait. How to capture that in one portrait photo? We took a few days to get it, but this frame is what we came up with. We screened the river to create a flow for the whitebait, stationed me in a small punt, and I used an underwater camera with a big front port, and very wide lens to shoot it. There’s a photo of us doing this here. The photo aims to show Stu looking over the young whitebait as Kaitiaki as they swim upstream into new habitat he’s created.
Kate Broadbent and Emily Welch testing breeding stock for facial eczema spore tolerance. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Kate Broadbent runs a Coopworth sheep stud that breeds facial eczema tolerant sheep through careful testing and controlled breeding. This image tells that story by bringing in the science and research aspect to the work with animals in the stockyards.
Emily and Sam Welch, record holding shearers on their home stand, under a rimu tree. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Emily Welch is a world record holding shearer. So is her husband Sam. Shearing is also their professional livelihood. Rural folk don’t trumpet success; Emily and Sam are no different. Despite being world beating athletes, their home shearing stand is a single stand under the Rimu tree in the backyard. It underlines their humble nature, a key feature in this story portrait. We waited until dusk, took a long lead out with some tungsten light to give a nice warm glow, and I lit Emily’s high speed shearing with a softbox to stop the blur. Dog watches on
Roger Belton (founder of Southern Clams Ltd) checking clams harvested at dawn. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Roger Belton couldn’t understand why Kiwi’s didn’t value our clam beds while other nationalities craved them. He started a successful export business through hard work, research, and infectious enthusiasm. The tides dictate harvest and often this mean early starts. Here I wanted to show what Roger exports, but to also capture his passion that drives him to work in the cold coastal waters while most of us still sleep.
Georgie (nee King) and Scott Archibold farming at French Pass, with D’Urville Island behind, where Georgie’s family goes way back. Story Portrait by Rob Suisted
Georgie Archibold (nee King) grew up on remote D’Urville Island, as did many generations of her family before her. However, the family sold the farm, but her passion to become a farmer was strong. She and her husband Scott therefore managed a large farm across the narrow but dramatic stretch of water called French Pass (with it’s iconic lighthouse). This story portrait bridges that connection for her, and the use of the lighthouse firmly anchors them to this familial location. Red band gumboots are of course a clear link to a farming lifestyle.
Matt Newton. Helicopter Pilot and farmer. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Matt Newton is a well known chopper pilot and farmer in North Taranaki. I had to document his life and work. Not long after I arrived he appeared and said he had to lift a helicopter off some spray equipment. It was pouring with rain and it was dark. Heck, why not try for the impossible – no light, movement, lots of water, cameras. Of course, as a rescue pilot, these are the nights he’s often called on to fly. We fluked it. My medium format digital camera made a big difference, and side light from the hangar gave me a bit to work with. The red strobes on the aircraft flashed the blades above with stop motion, and we were half way there. Matt hovered and stayed dead still looking at me. Out of many frames shot, this one jumped out sharp. Matt’s comment when he saw it – “I’ve seen helicopter photos all my life, and that’s the best one yet”. He might be biased, but I think it captures his work and essence.
Meng Foon, well known as the respected and long standing Mayor of Gisborne, and recently NZ’s Race Relations Commissioner. A big part of Meng’s work is to positively influence the next generation, so working with school children was a key to my story portrait. A principal friend was very keen to get involved, and her school in Ngaio had, by chance, just started a school wide look at what it was to be a ‘Kiwi’. So we all worked together to make this shoot work – Meng working with the next generation to better understand who we are going forward. Read the portrait about Meng Foon in NZ Geo.
Ocean Mercier. Story portrait by Rob Suisted
Dr Ocean Mercier become the first Māori woman to earn a doctorate in physics, with a thesis on superconducting materials. Soon, she became a superconductor herself—a powerful conduit between stories, people and knowledge, between Western science and mātauranga Māori, traditional knowledge. Mercier is now head of Te Kawa a Māui, the School of Māori Studies at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington. So it was very appropriate to photograph her at the Victoria University Marae. My goal was to project Matariki (the Pleiades) into the ceiling of the wharenui as a connection of mātauranga Māori to physics and whakapapa. It became very serendipitous that she was standing beside Te Rangihiroa (Sir Peter Buck). You can read more about Ocean here: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/charting-a-new-course/
If you needed a story portrait commissioned, please make contact via: www.robsuistedphotography.co.nz. We work with a wide range of clients, from magazine and book publishers, to Government departments or businesses wishing to create a new look, a record of achievement, retirement gift, or with private individuals wishing to capture the meaning of someone special to them. We can discuss ideas and work up a plan and price.
New Zealand Geographic Magazine had me do another editorial portrait; Bryce Johnson was the subject of their regular feature ‘Profile’.
UPDATE: 23 May 2015: WE DID IT! Photo won it’s category in the 2015 Canon Media Awards! We’re very proud about that! Big thanks to NZ Geographic Magazine, and Canon New Zealand.
UPDATE: May 2015: This photo is 1 of 3 FINALISTs in the prestigous Canon Media Awards for 2015. Cross your fingers!
My job was to communicate Bryce’s varied roles in one image. This was a formidable task as CEO of the NZ Fish and Game Council his is a complex and varied role. Primarily, Fish and Game is a statutory organisation concerned with the rights of anglers and hunters, and advocating for improving habitat.
The portrait needed to capture that variety. I wanted to focus on his advocacy for anglers and freshwater quality for all of us, but also how his day can stretch from political halls of the The Beehive, to the bank of a river. Here’s what I got:
The shot was fairly complex, it required a wide angle underwater photo to catch the habitat around Bryce and called for a balanced mix of underwater strobe, above water flash and ambient natural light. I used a slave trigger that fired the topside flash whenever the underwater camera strobe fired – one underwater strobe lighting Bryce’s legs, one flash pointing upward towards the softbox flash, and natural light toned down to give a sombre background to delineate Bryce’s from.
The biggest problems we had were a suitable…
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Things have been really busy since returning from Antarctica; I’ve been a little remiss on updates amongst the exciting jobs.
I’m working on three new books at the moment. One book is on a well known high country station which I’m really enjoying. I had another visit last week and again met great people, great scenery and it was nice to photograph hard working people in dusty dry conditions; hard on photo gear, but good atmosphere. Here’s an image that evokes one of the mornings with the stockmen.
I also had the pleasure of meeting the Bush’s of Bush’s Honey, Blenheim. They’ve been beekeepers since 1916, and are very nice folks – I’ll be buying their honey from Moore Wilson’s from now on. They put me in a bee suit to take some photos of working their hives. They’ve developed their craft without the use of smoke to calm the bees, necessary in a very high fire hazard zone in the high country. Fine for them, but I soon discovered that bees (when there are millions of angry ones) are experts at exploiting weaknesses. If I put my camera too close to my eyes they could sting through the veil mesh, and after 2 hours their tally was 4 stings to my face. No probs at the time, all part of this job. But, a day later I was feeling very sorry for myself. An extremely swollen face was testament to the poor lymphatic drainage abilities of our faces; I was the elephant man incarnate and scaring small children and some adults. I was unrecognisable! I’d post a photo here, but seriously it’s not good for PR. Thankfully the swelling has pretty much left now after a week, and I found out that if I was allergic to bees I wouldn’t be here to write this. It was surprisingly extreme photography, very exciting with hundreds of bees smashing into the body aand face mesh, while trying to take photos. I now understand why the Bush’s take safety so seriously. Thanks for the amazing experience guys – and the honey sandwiches!
Photographing the Bush boys collecting honey. An extreme exercise in photography. Click for larger photo
I’ve also been working up the Whanganui River, with a spot of walking, jetboating and canoeing with Bridge to Nowhere tours. A great place somewhat off the beaten track, and some great images. A highlight was calling into the old convent at Jerusalum near Pipiriki early one morning. Such a peaceful place with sun forcing through the river fog on a windless morning, surrounded by trees groaning under the weight of ripening fruit. A little paradise.
Some nice news this week. My book Majestic New Zealand just won runner up in the Whitcoulls pictorial book of the year awards at the Travcom conference. Simon Mcmanus (VP at Travcom) kindly let me know that the judges said it was very close to judge. So, I’m proud about that, and grateful to Travcom and Whitcoulls. The book is available signed via my website bookstore and here’s a short youtube clip of the book. Sorry about the music, but I’m a photographer….
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