ABOUT PHOTOINCNZ
Photoincnz is the creative home of New Zealand photographer and author Sue Shepherd. With a lens spanning the remote icescapes of the Arctic and Antarctica, the rich biodiversity of the Amazon and Galápagos, and the raw beauty of the African wilderness, Sue’s work captures the spirit of the natural world and the stories of the communities within it.
Beyond international expeditions, Sue’s dedication to documentary storytelling is deeply rooted closer to home. Over the years, she has served as an official volunteer photographer for significant civic projects—most notably documenting the four-year build of the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei and spending eighteen months chronicling the construction of the Te Hononga Kawakawa Community Centre. These immersive, long-form documentary projects reflect a profound commitment to preserving local history and heritage through self-published photographic books and fine art prints.
Photography has always been about more than just pressing a shutter—it is about connection, preservation, and storytelling. Whether she is crafting fine art interpretations of wildlife or standing shoulder-to-shoulder with local craftspeople to document landmark community architecture, Sue brings a meticulous eye and a deep respect for her subjects to every frame.
Photoincnz is a celebration of these journeys, both global and local. We invite you to explore the galleries, discover the print shop, and experience the world through a lifelong dedication to the art of visual storytelling.
Te Hononga Cultural Hub. This project was started in January 2019. It was the result of twelve sometimes difficult years of work by the community to get the project actioned. It will be built using a rammed earth-based method called Sirewall by the end of the year, with fit-out to be completed by April 2020. I will be a library, district council service centre, gallery, community workshop, showers and toilets for freedom campers, and an interactive centre exploring the relationship between the town and Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Photographic Exhibition Construction Hundertwasser - Sue Shepherd. These photographs are on display at the Whangarei Art Museum, Town Basin Whangarei Northland. I have been photographing the construction of this wonderful site from the first-day construction began. I was asked if I could present a collection of twenty-six photos from the seven thousand I have taken already - no easy task. There are one or two that are not on display only because there was not enough room so have included in this group because I feel they are so special. I wanted to make sure there was a very good record of the build but also wanted to portray the human side of the incredibly skilled people who are constructing a building that will be unique in the world