#starstoryAmber: The perfect shot

A mother's journey celebrated on the road

As a photographer I have always been drawn to moments of unrehearsed life in the wild that inspire thought; those moments where it’s a bit messy, perhaps. A bit wilder, real.

I think the authenticity of those moments can create a deeper connection between the viewer and the subject.

And connection, well that’s what it’s all about. I’ve traveled all over NZ and AU chasing my craft and connections.

Over the past few years, I have been working on a very special photographic assignment called Project Hapū. Project Hapū is all about the mental and physical journeys we go through as women living by the ocean, whether it be through recreational, business, sport, gathering kaimoana; how does that all look and feel when the challenges of having a pēpi (baby) come into play? It’s about the sacrifices we make in pregnancy and motherhood and how hard it all is to navigate.

The end result will be an exhibition and a coffee table book with a small story from each wāhine accompanied by ocean-based portraits. My goal is that it will serve as a guide and offer some comfort for other women going on their own Hapū adventures.

About to become a mum myself, I wanted to complete Project Hapū with a very special journey with my friend. She is pregnant / hapū herself. It’s a very special journey we are on together - metaphorically and physically.

We both have a special affinity with Tairua beach. We have places there, we’re going to raise children here, it is home. So that’s where we headed. The shoot was the final piece in the puzzle. I knew a tiny little secret spot where you have to be in the know to get there first thing in the morning to catch that beautiful morning light over the shimmering rock pools.

We hung out for the day with no time pressures. That’s the beauty of motorhome travel - you’ve got no timetable, you don’t have to leave anywhere or go anywhere. We had everything we needed in the vehicle - it’s amazing.

The nature of what I do, with photography and directing, is so fast paced and exacting always hard schedules and deadlines. Filming from a campervan was bliss.

Star RV offered me the opportunity to explore with them, they saw something in my images - and the two projects came together.

I loved the filming and the journey to each destination. When I jump in the campervan, and I am on the open road everything melts away - there is no itinerary. It’s a clean slate and you instantly feel freedom. Now that I have wrapped up the project, I’m ready for a new chapter. Becoming a mother myself. I can’t wait for the new journey ahead.

Star in your own adventure