Geoff Walker is a freelance photographer based in Greytown who has spent the past five years documenting Wairarapa communities. Photo supplied
Geoff Walker has been playing around with photography since he was at school. He spoke to the Times-Age about his years capturing moments.
When Mr Walker first started photography in his
teenage years he was not blessed with a photography teacher.
His school did not have a photography class but it did have a dark room.
"It started off as just something to do; a place to hang out," he said.
Mr Walker has been in the photography industry for 25 years but has been freelancing in Wairarapa for the past five years.
His first foray into the photography industry was in buying, selling and testing of merchandise, based in Auckland for several years, but decided to move to Wairarapa after being burnt by city living.
"It was during that big dot com boom."
Once in Wairarapa he started work as a freelance photographer.
Many Wairarapa people can see Mr Walker taking snaps at most community events.
He said community events are among his favourite places to take photos. "It is all about people," he said.
Mr Walker also started doing photos for Carterton Air Balloons after the boss spotted a balloon photo taken by Mr Walker in Wairarapa lifestyle magazine.
Most fine morning Mr Walker is up at the crack of dawn talking photos of balloon riders.
He said he does not mind the early starts. "It's the best time to take a photo; the light is perfect."
However, Mr Walker said the secret to a good photo is not the light, but the people.
"There are tricks and techniques but ultimately if people are energetic and into it, it makes a good photo," he said.
He described most of his photography as "documentary" or recording events but he does more experimental stuff in his spare time and recently sold one of his more experimental works at Aratoi Museum.
"I was very happy with that," he said
He does not have a favourite photo. "It is constantly changing so there is no point in keeping track," he said.
He said the best part of his job is that he does not have a job at all.
"I don't have a job, I have a life," he said.
* Mr Walker is organising and co-judging the Awesome Greytown photo competition during the Greytown Arts Festival this weekend.
