Looking for the best event photographers in Hastings? The event photographers below cover conferences, gala dinners, awards evenings, launches, cultural events and celebrations across Hastings, Havelock North and the wider Hawke’s Bay, delivering edited images through online galleries ready for marketing, media and memories. If you need an event photographer in Hastings with a local studio or drone coverage, start with Duncan Brown Photography in St Leonards or Richard Wood in Havelock North.
1Duncan Brown Photography
Duncan Brown Photography works from a studio on Davis Street in St Leonards, Hastings, and has covered Hawke’s Bay events for more than 20 years with a team of three photographers. Event work spans graduations, symposiums, shows, reunions and cultural celebrations, including Matariki photography for Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated. It suits organisations that need large groups, whole venues and every key moment captured, with images supplied quickly for newspapers, websites and social media.
Services
- Event photography for graduations, symposiums, shows and celebrations
- Drone photography for crowd shots, large groups and venue layouts
- Mobile studio portraits with studio lighting at the event
- Business, corporate and marketing photography
- Portrait, property and wedding photography
Highlights
- More than 20 years photographing across Hawke’s Bay
- Team of three photographers
- Public and private online galleries at no charge, with your logo or sponsor’s logo added to every image
- Free digital downloads for guests, with prints available to purchase
Location & Contact
Name: Duncan Brown Photography
Address: 113a Davis Street, St Leonards, Hastings 4120
Phone: 06 878 2383
Website: duncanbrown.co.nz
2Richard Wood Photography
Richard Wood is a Havelock North photographer who brings a portrait background to corporate events, conferences, gala dinners, stage productions and school balls around Hastings, Napier and the wider region. His event coverage is sold as clear packages by the hour, with a photo booth option that sets up a mini studio for guests. He suits organisers who want candid, story-led coverage alongside polished portraits of the people in the room.
Services
- Quarter day (up to 2 hours), half day (up to 4 hours) and full day event coverage
- Conference, gala dinner, launch and awards evening photography
- Event photo booth with professional backdrops and studio lighting
- School ball photography with individual, couple and group portraits
Highlights
- Five-time NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year, including NZIPP Commercial Photographer of the Year 2025
- Holds Grand Master with three bars (GM.NZIPP III) and acts as an NZIPP accreditation judge
- Published event pricing, from $895 + GST for up to 2 hours
- Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication and Bachelor of Business in Marketing
- Full liability insurance
Location & Contact
Name: Richard Wood Photography
Address: Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay 4130
Phone: 027 479 3297
Website: richardwood.co.nz
3Simon Cartwright Photography
Simon Cartwright Photography is a commercial and event photographer based in Havelock North, with a second base in Taupō, covering Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. Event work includes conferences, AGMs, awards evenings, launches and networking functions, with past coverage of multi-day industry conferences at Hawke’s Bay wineries and venues. It suits businesses and associations that want event images that also work as marketing and brand material.
Services
- Conference and AGM photography
- Awards evening, launch and networking function coverage
- On-location headshots for staff and leadership teams
- Commercial and brand photography
Highlights
- NZIPP Master of Photography, with Distinction
- 2025 New Zealand Professional Travel Photographer of the Year finalist
- More than ten years of commercial and event experience in Hawke’s Bay
- Two bases, Havelock North and Taupō, for work across the North Island
Location & Contact
Name: Simon Cartwright Photography
Address: Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay
Phone: 021 0824 6455
Website: scphotography.co.nz
4Shayne Jeffares Photography
Shayne Jeffares is a lifelong Hawke’s Bay photographer working across Hastings and Napier, covering events, corporate functions and conferences alongside family sessions and boutique weddings. He also produces event video, having created an Art Deco themed video for a gala dinner. He suits community groups and businesses wanting a friendly, flexible photographer who can combine stills, video and marketing images.
Services
- Event, corporate and conference photography
- Event and business video
- Corporate headshots at your office, on location or in studio
- Publication and marketing images for annual reports and print
- Boutique wedding and family photography
Highlights
- Manages FotoFest, a community photography festival in Hawke’s Bay
- Runs photography and media workshops for youth
- Also offers website design packages with images and social media support
Location & Contact
Name: Shayne Jeffares Photography
Address: Hastings
Phone: 021 813 877
Website: shaynejeffares.co.nz
Event Photographers in Hastings at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Duncan Brown Photography | More than 20 years photographing across Hawke's Bay |
| Richard Wood Photography | Five-time NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year |
| Simon Cartwright Photography | NZIPP Master of Photography, with Distinction |
| Shayne Jeffares Photography | Manages FotoFest, a community photography festival in Hawke's Bay |
How to Choose the Right Event Photographer in Hastings
- Match the event type: conferences, gala dinners, cultural events and school balls each need different skills, so look for recent work in a portfolio similar to your event.
- Coverage length: decide whether you need two hours for speeches and presentations or a full day that runs from setup to the evening function.
- Delivery and sharing: ask how images are delivered, how fast, and whether guests can download them from an online gallery.
- Extras: a drone, mobile studio or photo booth can add group shots, venue overviews and guest portraits to standard coverage.
- Accreditation and insurance: NZIPP accreditation and liability insurance show a professional standard and protect you if something goes wrong on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hastings Event Photographers
How much does an event photographer cost in Hastings?
Pricing usually depends on hours on site, editing and extras such as a photo booth or drone. Some Hawke’s Bay photographers publish hourly packages starting from under $1,000 plus GST for a short function, while full-day conference coverage costs more. Most provide a free quote once they know the date, venue and schedule.
How far ahead should I book an event photographer?
Book as soon as your date is set. Spring and summer conference season, Christmas functions and school ball season fill quickly, and many event photographers in Hastings work alone or in small teams.
What is the difference between event photography and wedding photography?
Event photography focuses on speakers, guests, sponsors, awards and the atmosphere of a function, often with images needed quickly for media and marketing. Wedding photography follows a couple’s day in detail. Many photographers offer both, so check their event portfolio specifically.
How do I check a photographer is professionally accredited?
The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography accredits photographers against a professional standard and keeps a member directory. You can check a photographer’s accreditation on the NZIPP website.
Do I need permission to photograph guests at my event?
It is good practice to tell guests that photos will be taken and how they will be used, especially for marketing, and to offer a way to opt out. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has guidance on collecting and using personal information, including images.
Are there event photographers based near Havelock North?
Yes. Several Hawke’s Bay event photographers are based in Havelock North and travel to venues across Hastings, Napier and the surrounding wineries, while others work from studios in suburbs such as St Leonards in Hastings. Travel within Hastings District is usually included or quoted separately.
How quickly will I receive my event photos?
Turnaround varies by photographer and event size. Many deliver edited images through an online gallery within days, and some can supply a selection on the day for immediate media or social use if arranged beforehand.
Can an event photographer also provide video or a photo booth?
Some can. Event video, photo booths with studio lighting and drone shots are offered by certain Hawke’s Bay photographers as add-ons, so ask when you request a quote.
How We Chose the Best Event Photographers in Hastings
Every business in this guide was found by searching for event photographers in Hastings, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Hastings, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.