Outdoor Research Apparel NZ Shoot
Digital Imaging Ambassador
I recently had the opportunity to photograph an outdoor apparel campaign for Outdoor Research here in New Zealand, working alongside production agency The Beards NZ in one of the country’s most spectacular alpine environments.
Departing from Wānaka, we flew into Minaret Station, where we were fortunate to have full access to the remote alpine lodge and its surrounding wilderness. Set amongst thousands of hectares of private backcountry, Minaret Station provided an incredible base for exploring the Southern Alps, with access to tracks, alpine landscapes and a diverse range of locations that showcased the scale and beauty of New Zealand’s mountain environment.
With the station as our base, we were able to explore a variety of landscapes throughout the region, from towering ridgelines overlooking expansive valleys to alpine tarns, waterfalls and remote creek beds. Each location brought something different, creating a collection of imagery that captured the freedom and adventure at the heart of the Outdoor Research campaign.
The brief centred around hiking and exploring in the mountains, and the Southern Alps delivered an incredible backdrop. The scale and drama of the landscape could easily sit alongside some of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges, with rugged peaks, open valleys and endless alpine terrain creating a sense of adventure and exploration. At the same time, the changing light, textures and untouched wilderness give this part of New Zealand a character that is completely its own.
One of the highlights of working in this environment is the variety of locations available within such a remote setting but with combined with several hours of heli time. In a single day, we could move from exposed mountain tops to quiet waterways, winding tracks and hidden alpine corners, before returning to the comfort of the lodge as the light softened across the surrounding peaks.
The shoot itself was a seamless experience from start to finish. The production, location access and team all came together perfectly, allowing the focus to remain on creating authentic outdoor imagery. The talent were fantastic to work with, and the combination of an incredible location, ideal conditions and a great crew made the process both enjoyable and rewarding.
Working throughout the Queenstown and Wānaka regions continues to highlight just how special this part of New Zealand is for outdoor and adventure photography. The Southern Alps offer a rare combination of dramatic scenery, remote wilderness and accessible production opportunities, making them an incredible setting for commercial campaigns, editorial projects and visual storytelling.
Minaret Station is a reminder of the incredible landscapes that exist within New Zealand’s backcountry. From vast alpine valleys and rugged ridgelines to quiet moments surrounded by untouched wilderness, these environments provide endless opportunities to create imagery that feels authentic, timeless and connected to the outdoors.
