Snapped! Photographers converge on Whanganui for national convention

Visiting photographers explore the interior of the Royal Wanganui Opera House during the weekend convention. Photo / Bevan Conley

What is the collective noun for a group of photographers?

It seems there is no official name, although "clique" and "snap" seem to be a couple of favourites.

Whatever they are called, 120 of them were in Whanganui for a national convention at the weekend.

The Whanganui Camera Club hosted the Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) central regional convention based at Wanganui Collegiate School.

"This is the only PSNZ-organised North Island photographic event this year," Whanganui Camera Club president Beverley Sinclair said.

"We have a few photographers from the South Island and some from further north but they are mostly from the central region."

The High Five convention offered visitors a weekend of workshops, guided photoshoots and social activities.

Visitors were treated to a trip to Bushy Park, a cruise to Upokongaro on the Wairua riverboat, visits to the Nuts 'n May Nuttery, Bricksticks Gallery, Rivers' Speed and Spares Museum, Lewis Gardner's cyclorama studio and multi-media artist Christine Haber.

There were also sessions with keynote speakers including Taranaki landscape photographer Thomas Busby and Paekakariki documentary photographer Catherine Adam.

Yesterday morning, some of the group explored the Royal Wanganui Opera House before heading out on the "Avenues and Alleyways" architectural photoshoot with Whanganui photographer Antonia Sims.

"The catering team at Collegiate have been providing excellent meals for our guests," Sinclair said.

She said the weekend included special themed meals, the highlight of which was a mad hatters' dinner where guests were expected to wear interesting headgear.