Finding the best event photographers in Napier means choosing someone who can work a conference room, an awards night or a festival crowd without getting in the way. The event photographers below cover corporate functions, gala dinners, product launches, conferences and community events across Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay, delivering edited galleries ready for marketing, social media and post-event recaps. Options range from Creative Works in Napier South to Simon Cartwright Photography in Havelock North.
1Creative Works
Creative Works is the Napier South photography and videography business of Michael Schultz, who also trades under his own name at michaelschultz.co.nz. He covers corporate functions, product launches, industry conferences, awards evenings, festivals and community events across Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, working independently on the day so organisers do not need to manage him. It suits businesses and event organisers who want both stills and video from one person.
Services
- Corporate function and conference photography
- Product launch and awards evening coverage
- Festival, concert and community event photography
- Commercial videography and content creation
- Portrait and headshot photography
Highlights
- Based in Napier South, covering events throughout Hawke’s Bay
- Over a decade of event photography experience
- Portfolio includes Art Deco Weekend coverage for the Art Deco Trust
- Has photographed Smokefree Rockquest heats and a Lexus launch event
Location & Contact
Name: Creative Works (Michael Schultz)
Address: McDonald Street, Napier South, Napier 4110
Phone: 021 182 9257
Website: creativeworks.nz
2Simon Cartwright Photography
Simon Cartwright Photography is an NZIPP-accredited commercial and event photographer based in Havelock North, with a second base in Taupō. Event work centres on business occasions: corporate conferences, trade shows, product launches, networking events and awards ceremonies, with portfolio coverage at the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre. It suits companies and conference organisers who need a large, fast-delivered library of usable images.
Services
- Corporate conference and trade show photography
- Awards ceremony and gala coverage
- Product launch and networking event photography
- On-site conference headshot sessions
- Photo wall photography with studio lighting
Highlights
- Named Master of Photography with Distinction by the NZIPP
- Published quarter, half and full day event packages, from $875 + GST for up to two hours
- Edited images delivered within two business days, with same-day retouching available
- Royalty-free commercial use licence and 12-month online gallery included
- Event coverage includes the Hawke’s Bay Forestry Awards and the Air New Zealand Wine Awards in Napier
Location & Contact
Name: Simon Cartwright Photography
Address: Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay
Phone: 021 0824 6455
Website: scphotography.co.nz
3Richard Wood Photography
Richard Wood is a Havelock North photographer who services Napier, Hastings and the wider Hawke’s Bay region, bringing a portrait background to conferences, gala dinners, social events and stage productions. Alongside standard event coverage he runs photo booths with professional backdrops and lighting, including for school balls. It suits organisers who want portrait-led event imagery and a guest photo booth from the same photographer.
Services
- Conference and corporate event photography
- Gala dinner and social event coverage
- Event photo booths with backdrops and studio lighting
- School ball photography
Highlights
- Holds Grand Master with three bars (GM.NZIPP III)
- Five-time NZIPP New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year, and NZIPP 2025 Commercial Photographer of the Year
- NZIPP accreditation judge
- Published event packages from $895 + GST for up to two hours; school balls from $10 per guest
- Carries full liability insurance
Location & Contact
Name: Richard Wood Photography
Address: Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay 4130
Phone: 027 479 3297
Website: richardwood.co.nz
4Shayne Jeffares Photography
Shayne Jeffares is a Hawke’s Bay photographer working across Napier and Hastings, covering events, corporate functions and conferences alongside portraits, property and boutique weddings. He also produces event video, and has worked with Tamatea and Taradale kindergartens in Napier. It suits community groups and businesses wanting a local all-rounder for a function or gala dinner.
Services
- Event and conference photography
- Corporate photography and headshots
- Event and business video
- Publication and marketing imagery
- Boutique wedding photography
Highlights
- Has lived and worked in Hawke’s Bay all his life
- Has managed FotoFest, the Hawke’s Bay photography festival, for four years
- Runs photography and media workshops for youth
Location & Contact
Name: Shayne Jeffares Photography
Address: Napier
Phone: 021 813 877
Website: shaynejeffares.co.nz
Event Photographers in Napier at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Creative Works | Based in Napier South, covering events throughout Hawke's Bay |
| Simon Cartwright Photography | Named Master of Photography with Distinction by the NZIPP |
| Richard Wood Photography | Holds Grand Master with three bars (GM.NZIPP III) |
| Shayne Jeffares Photography | Has lived and worked in Hawke's Bay all his life |
How to Choose the Right Event Photographer in Napier
- Relevant portfolio: ask to see full galleries from events like yours, whether a conference, gala dinner, awards night or festival, not just a highlight reel.
- Coverage length: match the package to your run sheet; a two-hour launch and an all-day conference with breakout sessions need very different bookings.
- Turnaround and licensing: confirm how fast edited images arrive and whether you can use them commercially for marketing and sponsor reports.
- Extras: check whether you need video, a photo booth, conference headshots or same-day images for social media.
- Travel and base: many Hawke’s Bay photographers price from a home base, so confirm any travel fee for Napier, Ahuriri or out-of-town venues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Napier Event Photographers
How much does an event photographer in Napier cost?
Hawke’s Bay event photographers often price by coverage length, with quarter day (around two hours), half day and full day packages. Two-hour coverage is commonly priced at just under $1,000 plus GST, with full-day coverage costing more than double that. Travel, extra photographers and same-day editing are usually charged on top.
How far ahead should I book an event photographer?
Book as early as you can, ideally a few months ahead for conferences and gala dinners. Busy periods such as Art Deco Weekend in February, awards season and school ball season fill quickly across Napier and Hastings.
How do I check a photographer’s professional standing?
The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography runs an accreditation system and a code of ethics for its members. You can check a photographer’s accreditation through the NZIPP before booking.
Do I need permission to photograph guests at my event?
For marketing use it is good practice to tell guests photography is taking place, offer a way to opt out, and get releases from anyone featured prominently in advertising. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has guidance on collecting and using images of people.
How quickly will I receive my event photos?
Edited galleries are often delivered within a few business days through a private online gallery. If you need images for social media during or straight after the event, ask about same-day retouching when you book.
Can an event photographer also shoot video?
Some Napier photographers offer both stills and video, which suits launches and conferences that need a short highlights reel. Confirm whether one person is shooting both or whether a second operator is needed for full coverage.
Where are Napier’s event photographers based?
Photographers serving Napier events are spread across Hawke’s Bay, from Napier South to Havelock North, and most travel to venues throughout the region including the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre, Ahuriri and the wineries. For an event photographer near you, check the photographer’s stated base and whether travel fees apply from there.
What is the difference between event and wedding photography?
Event photography focuses on speakers, sponsors, networking and atmosphere for business or community use, usually with a commercial licence for marketing. Wedding photography is a separate specialism with its own packages, so look for a photographer who actively markets event work if your occasion is a conference or function.
How We Chose the Best Event Photographers in Napier
Every business in this guide was found by searching for event photographers in Napier, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Napier, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.