Nikki McNaughten won the Herald Summer Photo competition in 2024-25 with a fabulous shot of her son, 3-year-old Marlin, surfing with his dad Kirtis.
Nikki McNaughten won the Herald Summer Photo competition in 2024-25 with a fabulous shot of her son, 3-year-old Marlin, surfing with his dad Kirtis.
Summer’s here, and with the fabulous weather and excitement for Christmas and getting together with family and friends, the nation’s hottest contest is here once again.
The New Zealand Herald Summer Photo Competition is officially launched today and we’re inviting readers to submit their favourite snaps from the holiday periodto be in to win one of three fabulous camera prizes from long-time supporter Harvey Norman.
Every day from Boxing Day until January 16, we will be running a selection of the best pictures sent in, with winners selected and announced the following week.
Last year more than 6000 photos were sent in, with three winners and three highly commended images selected in a tough selection process that had the judges locked in discussions for some time.
Nikki McNaughten won the contest last year with a fabulous shot of her son, 3-year-old Marlin, surfing with his dad Kirtis.
Chief photographer and judge Dean Purcell said that what he really liked about the winning image was the use of a longer lens to focus the attention on the subjects.
“The exposure’s spot on and the moment is perfect,” he said, adding: “Marlin is almost standing, his little hand just grabbing dad’s thumb for support. But it’s the anticipation that he will fully stand up that’s the key. The split second before achieving is more emotionally charged, leaving us willing Marlin on.”
Photo / Johanna Taylor
Second place went to a beautifully composed and amusing image of Bevan Taylor cooling off in a cattle trough, watched attentively by his cows on the farm at Kawakawa. Johanna Taylor, Bevan’s wife, took the picture that had the judges laughing. The third prize was taken by Tui Watling, of Auckland, of her mokopuna asleep in the back of a car taken by her daughter Aroha.
“The weather was perfect that day ... we took a picnic, chilly bin and shade tent to the beach and we chased the little one around while the older girls ran about. We didn’t leave the beach until about 6pm, so the kids were tired out,” said the girls’ dad Jordan Meinata of the shot.
Purcell said that all families would relate to this scene.
“Anyone who’s been a kid or has had kids will relate to this,” he said. “The perfect jumble of sleeping bodies, the centred window behind and the road disappearing in the distance: it couldn’t be better.”
Photo / Tui Watling
Every year in the competition’s 20-plus years, the standard of photography has improved and this year’s judges are eagerly anticipating entries flooding in to see what turns up.
So the challenge is on: what incredible photographs can you wow the judges with?
The prizes include three Sony A6400 Mirrorless Camera; and three Sony LCS-SC8 Camera System Carry Cases.
Use the entry form below or send your (hopefully) winning snaps to photocomp@nzherald.co.nz.
