FAQs

Q. Where exactly was this photo taken?

A. Location details aren’t always shared publicly.
Some of my photos include location details in the description, but other times I choose not to share exact locations publicly. This can be due to privacy, protecting certain places, or the significant time and effort involved in scouting and planning shots.
If you’re genuinely interested in a location for a personal reason — for example, if it’s somewhere meaningful to you or you’re considering a print — please send me a direct message rather than asking in the comments, and I’m happy to chat.

Q. Are your images real or fake?

A. All images are real photographs of real New Zealand locations.
No AI-generated skies. No fake mountains. No stock composites.

Night images use standard photography techniques (long exposure, stacking, tracking etc) to capture more detail and colour than the human eye can normally see.

What you’re seeing is a faithful representation of real moments, captured with professional equipment and careful planning.

Every alignment — Milky Way, moonrise, or star field — is planned and captured on location using astronomy planning tools, not digitally fabricated.

Q: Can I use or share your photos?

A: In general, no. My photographs may not be reused, reposted, modified, or distributed without my explicit written permission, regardless of where they are found.

I understand that people sometimes want to use an image as a screensaver or Facebook banner, and I’m genuinely flattered when my work resonates like that. However, permission still needs to be obtained first.

If you enjoy my photography, you’re always welcome to get in touch — even a quick message to say you love an image means a lot.
You can also support my work via my web website (donate) or “Buy Me a Coffee” page if you’d like.

Q: Why don’t you use a large or intrusive watermark on your photos?

A: Large, intrusive watermarks don’t offer much real protection anymore. With modern tools like Photoshop and AI, even large watermarks can usually be removed by anyone determined to misuse an image.

The small number of people who do misuse images were never likely to pay for them anyway, while heavy watermarks significantly reduce image quality, engagement, and reach on social media — as people are less likely to engage with or share images that feel visually obstructed.

I use a small, unobtrusive watermark and retain full copyright on all my work. For me, it’s about balancing protection with reach, image quality, and the viewing experience.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me via my contact form
or by sending me a direct message on Facebook or Instagram