From the age of just six, Keryn Sweeney has loved taking photos. She’s a collector of moments, be they precious family moments (in her full-time business as a wedding and family portrait photographer) or moments from her own life, captured in catalogues of photographs of friends and travel experiences. A few years ago, Keryn also began capturing special scenes – both found and styled – for reproduction as art prints.
Keryn beginning work on a floral series (in her studio)
Tell us about yourself – your background in photography, your day job, etc…
I have two sister companies. One being CAPTURED by Keryn which focuses on weddings, editorial and Fine Art prints the other is CAPTURED by Keryn KIDS which is my family photography side of things. I love them both, I approach photography the same way for each – just the moments are different. I have a candid documentary style when it comes to people.
I was gifted first camera when I was around six, and got right into it from around intermediate age. I have an endless amount of glorious photos of my friends posing for me and trees, lots of trees. I decided when I was fourteen I would become a photographer and only really started taking photos I would show people once I started photography classes in 6th form. I studied photography in Dunedin and have been a full time photographer for 10 yrs now.
As well as having a small workspace inside her home (top), Keryn has a standalone, contemporary studio at the front of her property.
What do you shoot on?
My go-to is my Canon 5d mark 111, but I recently inherited some cameras my great Grandad took to WW1 so have just got them restored for upcoming personal projects.
Keryn’s trusty Canon, and inherited cameras from her beloved Grandad
What’s your favourite thing to capture on film?
I would have to say travel, there is nothing I love more than walking around the streets taking photos. Chatting to new people ( I’m quite chatty) and taking their photographs. I have had a few experiences where I meet people in my passing and gone on a little photoshoot with them, neither of us understanding each others language but everyone knows the universal sign for can I take your photo. It’s always a really beautiful experience.
Keryn is inspired by travel – this documentary-style snap was taken in Bali, during a morning walk
What are some of the fave things you have on your own walls at home?
Probably the stencil art my little brother made for me.
Keryn’s work in her own home (how good do they look grouped like that!)
One of Keryn’s framed art prints in her niece’s bedroom
What would be a dream project/collab you’d love to do?
Ha, anything to do with travel. I’ve been pretty obsessed with the idea of a Route 66 shoot for a while. I’m also wanting to branch out into more editoral work.
Tell us about a few creatives you are personally inspired by?
I have been a long time fan of the likes of Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton and Mario Testino. We have a ridiculous amount of talent here in NZ though, photographers Danelle Bohane and James K Lowe are producing incredible work.
A sneak peek at Keryn’s newest series of moody, fine art photographic prints –
titled (from top) Morning, Ranunculus Focus, and Red Anemone. This series coming soon to Endemicworld…
Two of Keryn’s photographic prints shot in the stunning New Zealand landscape, available at endemicworld
Check out the full range of Keryn Sweeney photographic prints here
