When I first started picking up a camera seriously back in 2016, I thought photography was all about getting everyone to look at the lens and smile on cue. But after a decade of building creative spaces and working with families across the Bay of Plenty, I’ve learned the exact opposite is true. The images you actually care about ten, twenty, or fifty years from now aren't the stiff, posed ones. They’re the blurry-laughing, unscripted, messy moments that actually felt like your life.
At Olive June Moments, that is what I’m here for. If you’re based in Tauranga and want modern portrait and lifestyle photography that skips the fake studio setups and corporate cheese, you’re in the right place.
Why Local Families Are Stepping Away From Traditional Studios
Let’s be honest: dragging everyone into a sterile studio with harsh lighting and telling them to "say cheese" is a recipe for a meltdown. Kids hate it, parents feel awkward, and the result looks like a stock photo rather than a real family.
The Power of Location-Led Storytelling
Tauranga gives us the absolute best backdrop without needing any props or studio walls. Whether it's chasing the light down the Mount dunes, wandering through local native bush, or just hanging out in the spaces you actually inhabit, your environment grounds the whole session. When you're somewhere that feels like home or holds a memory for your crew, the shoulders drop and everyone can finally breathe.
Authentic Details Over Sterile Retouching
My editing philosophy is simple: I don't believe in plastic skin or scrubbing away the things that make you human. Your freckles, your smile lines, your stretch marks—those are proof of a life lived. If a random blemish pops up on the morning of your session, I'll happily take care of it, but your actual features stay.
What to Expect During a Session With Olive June Moments
Working with me shouldn't feel like a chore on your to-do list. I design every shoot to feel less like a photoshoot and more like an afternoon hanging out.
Before the Shoot: Collaboration & Styling
Great galleries start before I even pull my camera out of the bag. We’ll chat about where you want to go, how to coordinate outfits so you look cohesive without wearing matching uniforms, and what kind of mood you want to capture.
During the Shoot: Move, Play, and Breathe
I’m not going to ask you to stand still. We’ll walk, run, whisper things to make each other laugh, and just be together. If your toddler wanders off to pick up a stick, we follow them. That unscripted wandering is usually where the magic happens anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photography in Tauranga
What makes Olive June Moments different from traditional Tauranga photography studios?
I focus entirely on modern, unscripted lifestyle photography rather than sterile studio setups. Instead of heavy retouching and forced poses, I capture the raw, authentic details of your everyday life—keeping your freckles, smile lines, and real connections completely intact against the natural backdrop of the Bay of Plenty.
Where do our portrait or lifestyle sessions take place in the Bay of Plenty?
We can shoot anywhere in Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty that holds meaning for you. Whether you want to chase the light along local coastal dunes, wander through native bush, or keep things intimate in your own space, we choose locations that naturally ground your story.
How should we prepare our outfits for a session?
Keep things relaxed, textured, and cohesive rather than matching. Think raw cotton, weathered linen, chunky knits, and earthy neutral tones that complement the local landscape
Do you edit out blemishes or natural features like freckles?
I will happily remove temporary blemishes that pop up on the morning of your shoot, but your permanent features stay. Your freckles, smile lines, and stretch marks are proof of a life lived, and my editing philosophy is strictly rooted in keeping you looking like you.
What happens if my kids get restless or cry during the shoot?
You can completely let go of the pressure. Working together is designed to feel like an easy afternoon out, not a military operation. If a child needs a snack, a cuddle, or a moment to explore, we pause and roll with it—the best, most honest moments usually happen in those unscripted breaks.
Can we bring our dog along to the session?
As a massive dog mum myself, absolutely. Pets are a huge part of your daily life and family dynamic, so factoring them into an outdoor Tauranga session is always welcome.
How do I book a session and what is included in the investment?
You can look through my session options and secure your date by heading over to check out My Investment & Session Packages. Every package is built around giving you high-end, timeless art that actually reflects your life.
When is the best time of day to schedule our shoot?
For that warm, golden, cinematic light, I almost always schedule sessions during the hour leading up to sunset. It gives us that soft, editorial glow without any harsh shadows.
Investing in Imagery That Lasts
When you invest in professional photography, you’re not just paying for digital files to sit on a hard drive. You’re freezing a fleeting season of your life—the way your kid fits in the crook of your arm right now, the way your partner looks at you when you aren't paying attention. These are the pieces of art that end up framed on your walls and passed down.
Ready to create something that actually feels like you? Take a look at the portfolio or reach out directly to book your date.
