North Shore Salon of Photography |

Salon 2025 Judges We are proud to announce our esteemed panel of judges who will be presiding over the selection process. The distinguished panel includes Jackie Rankin, Mike Langford, Lynn Clayton, Kevin Clarke, Chris Traill, Rachael Smith and Gerard Emery. 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. The Judge Convenor is Russell Hamlet.
Mike Langford AIPP.L.GM. HF. NZIPP GM, HF. LM.	Jackie Ranken APP.L GM I.Photog, HF GM II. NZIPP

Mike has been a professional photographer for thirty-eight years and an international awards judge & lecturer for twenty-five years. He held the position of Honours Chair of the NZIPP for ten years as well as President for a further three years. His passion is travel photography and photographic book publishing, having produced over twenty-eight books under his own name and many more as an associate contributor. His latest book of Black and White photographs titled 'Vanishing Manscapes', is the subject of his lecture at Photo West in September this year. He worked for Australian Geographic as a photographer over a period of fourteen years, during which time he was awarded Australian Geographic photographer of the year and nominated for the award on several other occasions. He has won many prestigious Professional Photographic awards both in New Zealand as well as Australia, resulting in being awarded Grand Master of both the Australian and New Zealand institutes. He is also an Honorary Fellow of both Institutes. Mike is a Canon Master, an EIZO Ambassador and is co-director of the Creative Photography Workshops with his wife Jackie Ranken. Web site: https://mikelangford.co.nz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeqccp Creative Photography Workshops: https://www.qccp.co.nz	Jackie has over thirty-eight years’ experience within the visual arts and has been an international awards judge since 2002. She learnt her craft by working within the photographic industry as a darkroom technician, freelance and sports photographer, wedding photographer, commercial photographer and photojournalist. In 1996, after gaining her Associate Diploma in Fine Arts she began working as a teacher of ‘Fine art’ photography. She combines her art practice with teaching and is a presenter in workshops and seminars internationally. Exhibiting and instructing nationally and internationally. Her passion is the creation of multi-layered narratives via in camera multiple exposures and more recently using diptychs to express more about a place, time and her feelings. She allows play and serendipity into her creative process which gives her personal freedom to ‘find herself’ in the landscapes that she moves through. Artist Statement: I celebrate ‘life’ by making photographs. I find contentment through the continuing challenges and creative potential of photography, and the communication of this work with others and the broader community. Since 2001 she has won many prestigious photography awards which have culminated in making her a Grand Master of both the Australian Institute of Professional Photography and the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. She is a Canon Master and EIZO Ambassador. Jackie is co-director of Creative Photography Workshops with her husband Mike Langford. Personal website https://jackieranken.co.nz/ Photography Workshops Website https://www.qccp.co.nz/ https://www.instagram.com/jackieranken/ https://www.facebook.com/Twizel.NewZealand/
Rachael Smith NZIPP APP, MFA	Gerard Emery NZIPP APP

Rachael Smith is a fine art printer and photographic artist based in Torbay on the North Shore. An NZIPP Accredited Professional Photographer with a MFA in contemporary art she is a multi-award-winning photographer. Deeply passionate about photography, Rachael is committed to inspiring others to embrace the art of printing their photographic work. As an educator, Ilford Master and current President of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, she plays a significant role within the photographic community. A seasoned photographic judge, Rachael has contributed her expertise to regional, national, and international competitions for over eight years, championing excellence and creativity in the photographic arts.	Gerard Emery is a well-known figure in the New Zealand photographic industry with a career spanning over three decades, first as a successful commercial wedding and portrait photographer, transitioning into the photographic wholesale sector in his current role of Managing Director of CR Kennedy NZ.
Lynn Clayton HONPSNZ, APSNZ, EFIAP, ESFIAP,	Kevin Clarke ANZIPP

Photography has been a life-long passion. I joined a camera club 40 years ago, leading to a long standing career as a part-time professional photographer. I have judged six international salons and numerous National Salons in New Zealand; experiences I have found thoroughly rewarding . Some of my career highlights have been photographing the Commonwealth Heads of Government and the Asia Pacific Economic Forum events, Govt. House Awards and founding this North Shore National Salon of Photography. I have held many exhibitions in Sydney & Auckland since 1998; My images are showcased in some of Auckland’s prominent buildings and private homes, also in Australia, Atlanta, N.Y, Hong Kong and the Philippines. I have exhibited in Sydney at the ‘Head On Festival of Photography” where I won a Landscape Award , and this year a Semi Finalist award, also in Landscape. My images are showcased in some of Auckland’s prominent buildings and private homes, here and in Australia, N.Y, Hong Kong and the Philippines.	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.
Chris Traill MNZIPP	Russell Hamlet MNZIPP

Chris Traill has been working in the photography industry since leaving school. So near on 50 years. He lives and breathes photography. He began as a studio assistant at a thriving Auckland commercial studio of the time, Barry McKay Photography. From 1980, the next 10 years he worked in photo finishing as a printer in various photo labs here and abroad taking on small photography jobs and exhibiting along the way, and at the age of 30 began working full time as a photographer running his business from a home studio in Papatoetoe, which he still operates out of today. His career has included extensive work within all genres of photography. Events, fashion, weddings and portraiture being the main focus. Chris is best known for his concert and music photography and extensive work within Maori and Pacific Island communities covering events like Polyfest, Te Matatini and Pasifika Festivals. He's an accredited life member of New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) and has achieved a Master with Distinction within that organisation for awards accumulated within the Iris Awards programme. Chris was on the NZIPP Auckland regional committee for 15 years and was chairperson for 5 of those years. He was honoured to be awarded the prestigious NZIPP Gold Award in 2017 for services to the institute. He is also a member of AIPA. He has judged NZIPP Iris Awards and at various PSNZ camera clubs including club night competitions, salons and the creative focus annual competition.	Russell Hamlet has carved out one of the most successful family portraiture businesses in the country, capturing the lives of people and the love they have for each other. He is a true veteran of photography & king of the art of selling. Russell is one of the longest-serving Iris Awards judges and has agreed to be Judge Convenor for the North Shore Salon 2025.
We thank these amazing photographers for agreeing to give their time to judge this year's Salon.