Salon 2023 Judges

This year, we are proud to announce our esteemed panel of judges who will be presiding over the selection process. The distinguished panel includes David Smith, Charlotte Johnson, Catherine Cattanach,  Kevin Clarke, Chris Helliwell, Jase Blair, and Elizabeth Passuello.
These accomplished individuals will be presented with the incredible task of evaluating and choosing the most outstanding images from the vast pool of entries for inclusion in the salon.

  Jase Blair

I’m Jase Blair, a professional photographer, drone pilot, writer, and adventure seeker based on Te Tai Poutini  the West Coast. I’ve been photographing professionally for about 15 years.  I like to spend my spare time in the hills as much as possible, climbing, skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and generally exploring the incredible natural environment of The Coast, and further afield.
Primarily a commercial and adventure photographer, my work includes both video and still imagery, as well as graphic design and illustration. I am an NZ Institute of Professional Photography Master with Distinction, and an Accredited Commercial Photographer. I was named the New Zealand Landscape (In Camera) Photographer of the Year and a finalist for the Commercial Photographer of the Year at the 2021 NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards.  
I’m available for assignment and commission work and have a large library of stock imagery. To see more of my work or reach out head to www.katabatic.co.nz, follow @jaseblair on Instagram, or find Katabatic Creative on facebook.

Charlotte Johnson ARPS APSNZ

I'm a photographic artist and educator living and working in Auckland as a professional photographer, videographer and microscopist. I'm best known for my award-winning fine art portraits and coastal landscapes as well as a series of educational articles that were published in NZ Photographer Magazine. My art has gained a national audience within Aotearoa New Zealand as part of several exhibitions, books and magazines, as well as international publications. My work is held in the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the McGregor Museum as well as private collections. I offer tutoring and mentoring in a wide range of subjects. I believe that continuing our personal development is how we stay inspired. Visit my website www.cejphoto.com to view my art and to learn more

Catherine Cattanach

I’m a Wellington-based portrait and fine art photographer, wife, mother, and coffee aficionada. I was hugely honoured to be named NZIPP In-Camera Portrait Photographer of the Year in 2021, Wellington Photographer of the Year in 2018 and NZ Creative Photographer of the Year in 2016.

In addition to my creative photography and family shoots I also have an offshoot branch of my business called Good Headshots, offering portraits for business people, actors and writers, and collateral photography for websites.

I am always aiming for the genuine in my portrait work, whether that be real smiles or real moments between people or real connection with the camera. It’s not easy having a lens pointed your way, so it’s important to book a photographer who knows how to get past the wooden smiles and achieve the natural results you’re after.

My clients tend to be people who value photography as an investment both for themselves and for future generations. They like to keep things natural and unobtrusive, they don’t love posing, and they want to look like themselves, only better.

David Smith FPSNZ

I'm a traveller at heart and I do most of my photography on the road. I set off from home as a tourist but soon become immersed in the life around me. Inevitably I am changed forever by the warmth and hospitality of the people I meet along the way, their rich history and culture and the wonderful places where they live. It seems entirely natural to me that I would want to tell stories about their daily lives. I joined the Manakau Photographic Society in 2013 and was made a Fellow of the PSNZ in 2018. The following year I was awarded trophies for photojournalism, gained PSNZ accreditation as a judge and contributed prints to the Chinese government's 70th anniversary exhibition in Wellington. More recently, I have been a selector for the PSNZ National Exhibition, Canon Online, the North Shore Salon of Photography and two international events. I have had 10 more short photo essays printed as small books and have given illustrated talks on visual comprehension, black and white processing and my time on Ross Island, Antarctica. As well as continuing my own photography I assess images for clubs and contribute to the Facebook groups 'Travel with Passport' and 'New Zealand Landscapes.

Chris Helliwell LPSNZ

Chris Helliwell is a wildlife photographer who specialises in images of New Zealand wildlife & macro subjects. His images showcase wildlife in action from birds in flight, to their young being feed. His macro images display the detail and beauty of the world that people just walk past or don’t know exist. Chris’s images have appeared in New Zealand Geographic, photographic exhibitions around New Zealand and he has won a number of photographic awards including the 2017 & 18 Photographic Society of New Zealand National Exhibition Gold Medal & William C Davies Memorial Trophy for the Champion New Zealand Natural History print, 2016 D-Photo Amateur Photographer of the Year, Macro Section and the 2103 Nature’s Great Photography Competition. More recently, Chris was awarded 2018 & 2022 NZIPP Nature Photographer of the Year.

Not available to judge

Aliah Jan FPSNZ, AFIAP, ANZIPP

I loved photography from a young age but never really got to do it seriously.

We moved to NZ in 2002 and we still live at Pollock on Awhitu Peninsula. It was moving to New Zealand that has given me the time to do more photography. I joined PSNZ immediately and have been a member since. I became a panel judge in 2005. I received my Fellowship in 2009, AFIAP in 2015 and a Master Award from NZIPP in 2016. I have been involved as a council member in PSNZ for two different terms. I currently serve on the Judges Accreditation Panel.

Kevin Clarke ANZIPP

Teaching Photography

I love to teach and pass on my knowledge and passion for photography. I am available for conferences and workshops worldwide. Email me to chat about your plans.

Photography Assignments

I am available for commercial, landscape and sporting photography projects around the world. I am a motivated, technically savvy, creative photographer that can deliver exceptional images to you on time and on budget.

Speaking Presentations

I am an experienced public speaker and give presentations and workshops that will engage you. I have been a keynote speaker at national conventions and delivered workshops both here in NZ and overseas. I am happy to work with you to inspire and educate your audience.

Special Projects

Photography has always been my passion and the gift of sharing a love of the landscape is priceless to me.

Elizabeth Passuello FPSNZ, FNPSNZ, GMAPS, EFIAP, EPSA

Elizabeth has been involved in photography for 37 years. She is a Life Member of the Greymouth Photography Club and volunteers as a Star Ratings Director with the Photographic Society of America. She enters photography exhibitions both in New Zealand and internationally from which she has won numerous awards, particularly in nature and photojournalism. She has been a PSNZ Accredited judge since 1995, judging from club level through to the international exhibitions.