Rob Suisted is one of New Zealand's most established and best known photographers (
Rob Suisted is one of New Zealand's most established and best known photographers (even if you don’t realise you know him). He is just about to release his 17th book, a collection of his best work that reflects a lifetime of interest in, and deep concern for, the remarkable diversity of the New Zealand landscape, simply titled New Zealand
Now, where do you know him from? Well you may own one of his books, you will have no doubt used one of the 30+ NZ Post postage stamps his images grace, or you may well have one of the many calendars he produces each year hanging on your office or kitchen wall. You’ve probably paid for something with a New Zealand bank note carrying his photos, when the Reserve Bank announced new designs for the New Zealand bank notes in Nov 2104 each one had a Rob Suisted image in the background (i.e. the mountain behind Sir Edmudnd Hillary on the $5 note).
Or maybe you've noticed the huge photo murals that welcome passengers at the arrivals hall at our international airports, or have seen his photographs in one of the Tourism New Zealand promotions or travel guides aimed at luring travellers to our shores? He also provides images to clients all around the world and works with businesses and government departments to provide photographs.
He’s all around you!
Rob also regularly shoots stories for New Zealand Geographic magazine and mentors an up and coming 'Young Guns' photographer in their mentoring programme. He is also a judge for the New Zealand Geographic magazine 'NZ Photographer of the Year' awards.
Rob previously worked in conservation management, as the national marine mammal advisor at the Department of Conservation, for over a decade. He has a BSc in zoology and conservation management so has a passion for animals and the environment.
Rob has a myriad of ways of getting his amazing images like aerial drones, full underwater equipment, a special 4x4 vehicle equipped for remote terrain and moving platform work and a Tank-Cam/Robo-Cam for remote deployment work. There’s nowhere Rob won’t try and get to (safely) to get the perfect shot.
Rob was also the photographer on the bestselling Country Calendar 50th anniversary book last year. He travelled to all 15 locations, spent time with the families and photographed them in their day-to-day activities. His blog is full of amazing stories about these incredible Kiwis (http://blog.naturespic.com), just to name a few; Georgie and Scott Archbold who manage Te Kuta Station, near French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds. They are raising their young children, and running a farm not far from where Georgie grew up on nearby D’Urville Island; mustering high in the the remote Branches Station in the headwaters of the Shotover River behind Queenstown with James Murray and his team and Stu Muir who came home to run the family farm in Franklin and now has an ‘eco-lodge’ on the site so can others stay and enjoy the farm.
The job wasn’t easy – turning up to live with complete strangers 24/7 for up to a week, while seeking their confidence to document their stories and poke a camera into their lives. It was stressful for them and Rob, but without exception everyone was incredibly hospitable and obliging which allowed me him tease out their stories and capture it on his camera.
Rob’s stock photo image library was the first photographic stock library online in New Zealand and contains over 60,000 high quality images of New Zealand so you can see how difficult the task would have been to come up with a selection for the latest book.
Rob also regularly travels to the Antarctic and/or Arctic as an expedition lecturer, guide and photographer, and occasionally guides photo tours.
His photography has taken him on some amazing adventures. Earlier this year he went on a trip of a lifetime to the Ross Sea, Antarctica. It had a twist though; they broke the furthest south a vessel has ever navigated on earth. Other noteworthy experiences included seeing Ross Seals (the least seen seal on the planet, and the first seen by Rob in 18 trips south), and an abundance of Emperor Penguins on the pack ice this year. Rob was also assistant expedition leader onboard MV The World, the world’s largest private yacht, working with expedition leader Rob McCallum of EYOS Expeditions (who specialise in creating cutting edge expeditions around the world).
Now isn’t that a job you would just love to have!
New Zealand by Rod Suisted
Standard Edition
RRP $49.99
Hardback with jacket
ISBN: 9780947503581
Pocket Edition
RRP $19.99
Hardback with jacket
ISBN: 97
