CARMEN BIRD
SISTERS
My photo is a tiny moment of one of the challenges our children have faced - wearing masks as they have navigated the pandemic and all the anxiety and stress that came with the changes to their world.
These are sisters, Mela and Kenzie, two of four siblings and my good friends’ children. They are very close to my heart. I have photographed them many times over the years since Mela was a toddler. I have watched their family grow and expand and captured so many moments, good and bad. They have been thrown more challenges than most and are incredible kids with a very special story of strength and resilience. It seemed fitting to photograph them for my Women’s Work submission.
ABOUT CARMEN
I am a freelance photographer based in North Auckland where I live with my husband and two son’s. I’m frequently trapsing around the South Island though as my daughter lives in Queenstown. It’s the perfect excuse to head South as often as I can.
I have always had a love of all things creative and after years in the fashion industry I discovered photography and quickly became obsessed with taking pictures. I am an extrovert and thrive on connecting with people from all walks of life, from corporate bankers to the children of third world countries – this is my happy place.
When I am at home you can often find me out and about capturing all the best NZ events or working with businesses small and large creating marketing, advertising, content, branding and portraits for media, websites, billboards, social media and print. I work with one of New Zealand’s most popular and fun fashion brands Augustine photographing their new ranges in different locations around NZ every month. I
I work with several charities including Cure Kids and Heart Kids and have photographed many successful campaigns for them over the past ten years.
I have a passion (cliche but it’s so true) for photographing our beautiful countryside and have been steadily growing my collection of landscape images and my skills at the same time. I am now offering limited edition prints of the beautiful landscapes and countryside I have captured on my travels. You can often find me at the beach for sunrise, scouting the perfect sunset spot or setting up for a night under the stars shooting Astro. I’m constantly planning my next get away. The last few of years I have been lucky enough to photograph and explore Asia with Myanmar especially capturing a piece of my heart. I have a few trips in the mix for 2023 so I’m super excited to get out adventuring and shooting landscapes in new places.
When I am not out capturing the world with my camera I love hanging out with my family and friends, hitting the beach, practising yoga, at the gym, hiking tracks, snowy mountains for a ski, drinking wine or coffee with the girls and discovering the best raw cafes around town – it’s all about balance!
My clients range from big corporates, banks, magazines, councils, PR and event companies. I love a party but love being the great outdoors just as much, at the moment I’m ticking off our NZ Great Walks.
Carmen x
carmenbirdphotography.co.nz