Esther Bunning

Award-winning photographer Esther Bunning has a style that is both instantly recognisable and difficult to pin down. Drawn to quiet beauty and resplendent light, she weaves elements in a dreamy pastiche that tends to provide the viewer with a glimpse of the subject. Her creative vision, coupled with a gleeful willingness to play with idiosyncratic gear has evolved to include the intricacies, depth, and layers of details both photographing people, and landscapes - details otherwise perhaps unseen.

Esther produces images that transcend photography, beautifully capturing emotion, story and aroha with a depth that is seldom seen in photography. She is recognised as one of New Zealand’s finest portrait photographers. She is a Nikon Ambassador for New Zealand, and an Asukabook Ambassador for Australasia. Esther is a double Grand Master and an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). 

Wherever possible, she loves the challenge of create her photographic magic ‘in-camera’, and crafting in the moment - using creative lens’, multiple exposures and an array of interesting tools to shoot through.

Some recent awards and accolades… WINNER: Highly Commended Award | Sotherby’s International Realty | Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History | Art Review 2023 FINALIST: Waikato Museum National Contemporary Art Award 2023 FINALIST: Parkin Drawing Prize 2022 and 2021 HONOURABLE MENTION and ‘TOP 5’ Jurors choice at the IPA International Photography Awards 2021