Kia ora. I am PJ — a Māori wedding and whānau photographer based in Hawke's Bay. Couples often find me when they want more than a pretty gallery. They want someone who understands that a wedding can hold karakia and karaoke, taonga and sneakers, formal portraits and the uncle who makes everyone cry with a story. They want the day photographed with care for people, place and tikanga — not just for the light.
This is how I approach Māori and whānau-centred weddings across Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, Central Hawke's Bay and the wider region.
Why representation behind the camera matters
When your photographer understands the weight of a waiata, the timing of a pōwhiri, or why certain moments are not for public sharing, you spend less energy explaining and more energy being present. I am not here to perform culture for an aesthetic. I am here to document your day as it actually is — with respect, calm direction and a storytelling eye.
That might mean:
Giving space for karakia and speakers without hovering
Knowing when to lower the camera
Photographing taonga, korowai and handmade details with the same care as the gown
Making sure kaumātua and tamariki are in the frames that matter, not only the bridal party
Asking, early, what should stay private and what you are happy to share later
Every couple's kaupapa is their own. My job is to listen first.
What “whānau wedding” looks like in the photographs
Whānau weddings are rarely only about two people in a paddock. They are about the people who carried you here. In galleries, that often shows up as:
Getting-ready rooms full of aunties, sisters and cousins
Quiet exchanges between parents before the ceremony
Group photographs that actually include the people you wanted — planned with enough time so elders are not rushed
Reception moments where the speeches, the kai and the dance floor tell the real story
Small details — woven work, photos of tipuna displayed with intention, handwritten notes
I work in a nostalgic, candid, storytelling style. Soft natural light where we can find it. Honest expressions. Edits that stay true to skin and colour so the photographs still feel like you decades from now.
Planning the day with tikanga and timeline in mind
Beautiful photographs need a little room in the schedule. When we plan your Hawke's Bay wedding coverage, we will talk through:
Ceremony flow — where people enter, where speakers stand, where I should be (and should not be)
Group photographs — who must be included, and how we can do it efficiently so everyone gets back to celebrating
Portrait time for the two of you — even 15–20 protected minutes changes the whole gallery
Light — especially if your day runs across late afternoon into evening
Sharing preferences — what can go on the blog or socials later, and what stays in your private gallery only
You do not need a perfect plan. You need a photographer who will help you protect the moments that cannot be restaged.
Locations across the Bay that hold a Māori wedding beautifully
Hawke's Bay offers marae, gardens, vineyards, coast and rural spaces — sometimes in combination on the same day. I photograph across the service area and will help you think about light and logistics wherever you choose. The “best” location is the one that fits your people; my role is to make it photograph with warmth and clarity.
If you are having parts of the day on a marae or at a venue with its own protocols, tell me early. I will follow the guidance of the hau kāinga and your whānau.
Wedding packages
Coverage is based on time on the day:
4 hours: $3,000
6 hours: $4,000
8 hours: $5,000
Payment plans are available (for example around $100 a week) so you can secure your date without carrying the full amount at once. Every wedding booking includes a photography contract. The balance is completed before your photographs are ready for you. I work by appointment across Hawke's Bay — no walk-in studio pressure, just a planned conversation and a day photographed with care.
After the wedding
You will receive a curated gallery of edited images. Many couples use those frames for prints at home, gifts for parents and sharing with whānau who could not travel. I do not push add-ons you did not ask for. If you want guidance on which images print beautifully, I am happy to help you choose.
Ngā mihi — let's talk about your day
If you are looking for a Māori wedding photographer in Hawke's Bay who will treat your day as something living, not something to stage, I would be honoured to hear from you. Browse wedding packages, see the portfolio, read a little about me, then get in touch. Tell me what matters most — the karakia, the kids, the portraits, the party — and we will build the coverage around that.
Mauri ora.
