Family photography Nelson: Real Family Photography's 2026 awards!

It's always nerve-wracking having your work judged by professionals you look up to. This year I was incredibly grateful to receive two Silver and three Bronze awards, at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Iris Awards.

Massive thanks to the NZIPP and all the hard working volunteers who provide this amazing opportunity for growth and recognition.

Two awards were for my family work; and three for my wedding work (as Lucalia Photography).

It's the families who I document who are the real heroes. I'm so grateful they value real life as precious and worthy of documentation. So their kids and grandchildren (and great grandchildren) can see and feel what their lives were like right now. These are my kind of family portraits.

Here is a little behind-the-scenes about each of my winning families.

Sara is a lovely, softly spoken seven year old who leads a wonderfully adventurous life. Along with her mum and dad, Sara lives on a yacht in the Queen Charlotte Sounds. She is full time homeschooled by mum, and dad works during the summer months as a sought-after shearer.

I was invited to spend the morning with them on the boat that is their home. Sara's playground is the deck. The helm houses her elaborate cardboard creations. Down below surrounding the fold out kitchen table, is her library. Along with seafaring tomes and homeschool curricula.

The judges enjoyed the storytelling aspect of this series as well as Sara's pure joy.

This was taken backstage at Stars in Your Eyes Blenheim. The gala event raises funds for different local charities. Everyday people are transformed into their favourite musical star for the night! It's the major fundraiser for the Fulton Foundation Marlborough, supporting the arts, especially for young people.

This photo created lots of debate amongst the five panel judges. Different interpretations of the content was fascinating to hear, including nude performances of Hair the musical! They all appreciated the humour, which is what I was aiming for.

In reality, performers put on their costumes and applied their make up in one dressing room; and had their hair done in this dressing room. The photo was taken after all the ABBA wigs had been applied and the performers were about to take to the stage.

Amy lost her dad too soon, whose absence was keenly felt during her wedding to Aaron. The judges debated and ultimately rewarded, my choice to use a shorter depth of field and focus on Dad.

Anna and Ben's wedding was held at St Arnaud, their happy place. It would have been rude not to visit Lake Rotoiti for some photos. I loved how the locals are always keen for a chat whilst going about their daily businesses. In this case feeding the tuna (eels).

This is a story about Erin and Matthew's Dad's. From New Zealand and Ireland respectively, they get on like a house on fire. Their bond developed over the years through visits back and forth between hemispheres; and a shared love of fine alcoholic beverages. I wanted to share their unique relationship to each other and the important roles they played at the wedding.

Family photography Nelson: Sarah Watkins from Real Family Photography awards 2026!

Please feel free to check out more of my Real Family Photography day-in-the-life work; and Lucalia Photography wedding work.

Many thanks,

Sarah xx