SUSAN SIU Photographer

Dr. Galia BarHava-Monteith is a true powerhouse whose life’s work has profoundly impacted countless lives in New Zealand and around the world. As an Edmund Hillary Fellow, Cohort 6, she is dedicated to “Transforming Organisational Cultures through Creating Meaningful Mentoring Relationships at Scale.” And that, she does!

Recently, I had the privilege and honour of capturing Dr. Galia once again, a joyous reconnection after having photographed her around 14 years ago with her Professionelle co-founder Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes!

Here is a heartfelt testimonial from Dr. Galia BarHava-Monteith on her LinkedIn post that has left me humbled:

It has been a while since I have had professional images done. I could blame Covid for this delay, but in truth, I really hate doing it. So very uncharacteristically of me, I procrastinate.

Susan Siu was one of the very first professionelle members and took gorgeous and memorable images of Sarah and I in the very early years (if anyone happens to have them, please send them through!). Over the years we lost contact but than, when she reached out to me I realised that the universe was saying; ‘common you, it is time to bite the bullet and get them redone!’

So I did.

Here are some of my favorite ones.

Images are precious; they convey who we are, and professionally, they can make a difference between someone giving you a call because they feel you are a person they can speak to or not.

Susan cares deeply. She wants the images to represent the authentic you in the most flattering way. She will help you choose your outfits and provide input into the choice of location. She will do the most to make you feel at ease during the shoot. And, well, the results speak for themselves!

If you want professional images that are unique and authentic to you, I couldn’t recommend her more.

Paul and Carene celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a beautiful, intimate gathering of close family and friends at their Beachlands home. The celebration brimmed with love, stories, speeches, delicious food, hugs, a few tears, and plenty of laughter as they reminisced about their adventurous life journey together as husband and wife.

What an achievement to reach GOLD Status! Fifty years of loving, serving, and giving of oneself to another. Carene tells me the key is communication and compromise to make a marriage work well... and cruises, go on lots of cruises together!

I’m grateful for the opportunity to photograph this event commissioned by their two daughters. It was an honour to receive the call to document this special celebration and to create a spectacular Heirloom Feature Album for their parents’ 50th Wedding Anniversary. The album is filled with photographs of close family and friends, along with stunning portraits of the lovebirds themselves.

Thank you for the privilege and honour, Cook Family!
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Ever thought about how Kids view Weddings? It’s all playtime!

Getting ready? Playtime. Ceremony? Playtime (with a side of tears). Photoshoot? Yep, more playtime. And the reception? Ultimate playtime!

Weddings are filled with intense emotions, and the little ones always bring a playful joy to the day’s narrative.

Makeup Artist:
Venue:

There are those moments where a Photoshoot becomes more than a job. It becomes an experience you won’t forget. It was during this photoshoot where I learned what an Agronomist does! It was at this photoshoot that I got to hangout with a flying Potato Farmer! It was at this photoshoot where I gained a huge appreciation of just how much work goes into making a darn good crisp! I am a lifelong learner, so I promise to never take a good chip for granted 😀

Thank you Copper Kettle NZ, it was a privilege to capture the story for one of your wonderful farmers. Such an honour to meet Jason and his beautiful family, it was love at first sight.

Nothing beats a good packet of Copper Kettle Chippies, they are always gone instantly when opened at our house!

Thanks to this awesome crew, always a joy to work with you! . I had fun shooting with some epic Canon lenses, thanks .nz.