SARA ORME
TEIRA (from the series Te Teko)
Te Teko korero began soon after the death of my Father, Arapeta Tautuku Orme (Ngati Awa & Te Ararwa). Te Teko unveils the small, predominantly Maori-populated community in New Zealand of which my Father, my Grandmother and my Great Grandmother were born and references my own heritage along with an enduring process of whenua, connection to identity, strength, humanity and ultimately, kitenga for both myself and my people.
The history is both wondrous and tragic. For a people whose land is both spiritual and functional the lingering impact and consequences of The Raupatu are still so visible and felt today over 150 years later. Amidst human vulnerability there is also a richness and determination from our people that can be so deeply felt with connection to our ancestors, our land and with each other. This is a story of our Turangawaewae.
SARA ORME
Ko Putuaki toku maunga
Ko Rangitaiki toku awa
Ko Mataatua toku waka
Ko Ngati Awa toku marae no Te Teko ahau kei Te Teko / Auckland toku kainga
Ko Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue toku marare no Rotorua
Ko Tautuku toku whanau
Ko Hera / Sara toku ingoa
I tell people I have been a photographer for 100 years. Photography has been my life and it continues to keep morphing as do I.
I’ve photographed so many people I almost know what they are going to do before they do it.
Most of all I’m focused on the daily life of human experience and fully immersing myself in the life and love around me. The struggles and joy, lightness and darkness, rawness and dreaminess, energy and calm...
I have worked with some of the largest and smallest brands and agencies, NGOs and small communities, celebrities and presidents, fashion models and everyday people as well as co-founding and being creative director for a progressive skincare company. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph, direct and create campaigns in many places including New Zealand, Singapore, USA, Australia, Myanmar and Central America.
The diversity of my personal life, with my Maori heritage, as well as growing up with feminism is an important aspect in my life and work and is the source of inspiration for everything I do and every photograph I take.
It’s taken me years to know that it is ok to photograph famous people, advertising campaigns, fashion dreamscapes one day and small maori communities, marginalised people and documentary the next. This is who I am and this is what I love.
Whether it’s capturing daily life, portraits of the famous or not so famous, shooting fashion editorial or advertising campaigns, I become more than just an observer or witness. I live and breathe the moment and the final image is a collaboration of those I work with.
“I love to capture the spirit of people, chase the light and create magic, creating compelling images that move people”.