Christchurch wedding photographer
A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”
– Edward Steichen
I’m Mandy Caldwell, a Christchurch wedding photographer with over 15 years of experience capturing weddings filled with warmth and connection. My approach is relaxed and natural – I’ll provide guidance when you need it, find beautiful light, and create space for you to simply be yourselves.
Based in Burnside and photographing across Canterbury and the South Island, I create timeless images that reflect how your day truly felt – the laughter, the quiet in-between moments, and the love that ties it all together.
Whether you’re planning a wedding in Christchurch or elsewhere in New Zealand, a relaxed family portrait session, or a newborn shoot at home, I’d love to capture your story with honesty and care.
I specialise in:
Elegant and authentic wedding photography in Christchurch, Canterbury and througout New Zealand
Natural and authentic portraits and sweet newborn sessions
- Corporate clients who need beautiful, elegant images to showcase their brand
Looking for a photographer?
GET IN TOUCH
Do you want to check my availability and receive a copy of my wedding guide? Please fill out the contact form below – I will respond as soon as possible.
Weddings
I’ve spent over 15 years documenting love across New Zealand and Australia – from luxurious celebrations to intimate elopements tucked away in wild places. These days, I’m especially drawn to the more relaxed, intentional weddings – the ones that reflect your story and your people, not just tradition. I believe the best days aren’t always the most perfect ones, but the most authentic. You can read more about my wedding photography ethos here. I’ve also posted a few blogs of past weddings below. If you’d like to to get an idea of how a wedding looks like from start to finish in front of my lens, please get in touch with me – I’d be happy to give you access to review a few full wedding galleries.
Client Reviews
This recommendation cannot come highly enough; it felt like we had always known Mandy and she made us both feel so at ease. We found Mandy online via her webpage and as soon as we saw some of her work we knew instantly that we wanted her to be our wedding photographer. Her natural and relaxed take was exactly what we were after. Mandy was able to capture not only the laughs and tears of myself and Brad but also of our family and friends who were a big part of our special day. Her photos have provided us with everlasting memories of such an amazing day. Mandy was extremely accommodating with time frames that suited us and provided us with a number of package options to suit our budget. She was professional, friendly and you could tell instantly she has an overwhelming passion for what she does. Mandy took the time to come to our rehearsal and look through our venue, she went out of her way to research and find the best places for us to have our photos on the day. Her talent is awe-inspiring and we would not hesitate in recommending her. Thanks again Mandy for capturing those special moments!!
Mandy is such a professional and passionate photographer.
Not only me, but my family was amazed by her skills and her idea of capturing the perfect moments. She is willing to listen to what we want and put heart and soul to make it happen! I really appreciate that she actually stayed with us until midnight just because my husband and I would like to have some starry night photos. And she also scouted our preferred locations before we went to New Zealand. She also prepared the nice and cute USB for us with all high-resolution images, as well as a link to download the compressed photos so that we can share to friends! I highly recommend Mandy!! SHE IS AWESOME.
Mandy is such a skilled photographer and we were so happy to have her as part of our wedding day! Her images speak for themselves and she has a real knack for capturing all the candid moments you cherish. She was so accommodating and willing to go the extra mile; she even helped me with a surprise I had organised for Cam. Her attention to detail, professionalism and friendly nature made her such a pleasure to work with. We absolutely love the photos and many of our friends and family have commented on how great they are. We couldn’t recommend Mandy more highly to anyone looking for a photographer to capture those special moments! Thank you Mandy!!!
Mandy did such an amazing job photographing our wedding.
It was great to meet up first for the engagement photos, it meant we could talk about what we wanted and get to know each other, and helped Mandy find the perfect spot for our after-wedding photos. On the day it was so crazy for us, it was great to have someone work through the list of our guests and make sure no-one was left out – we have a great photo of all our attendees. Highly highly recommended.
We can’t recommend Mandy highly enough! She captured our wedding this November beautifully! Mandy was a pleasure to have on the day, she went above and beyond to be helpful and ensure the day was relaxed and stress-free! Her communication in the lead up to the day was excellent too and put us further at ease having her as our photographer! We can’t wait to use Mandy again in the future!
Mandy has a real gift for telling a story through her photos. Her ability to blend into the background to capture candid moments is remarkable. Behind the scenes, she went above and beyond to ensure our day ran smoothly, and made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and professional photographer. We couldn’t have chosen anyone better. Thank you Mandy for everything!
I’m writing this before even seeing our wedding photos. Mandy was like a super hero, not only getting all the photos we needed, but helping make sure the wedding itself was going smoothly. Mandy saved the day on our improvised video capture of the ceremony, her attention to details helped me and my groomsmen look sharp, she gave emotional support to my partner, and helped bring life to the party. I am still getting stories about how lovely and helpful she was.My wife and friends are fighting over who loves her the most!
Looking forward to seeing the wedding photos, we loved our engagement photos and we have no doubt that these ones will come out looking spectacular as well.
Thank you Mandy!
My partner and I had Mandy do the photography for our wedding and could not recommend her enough. Right from the start the communication was perfect. Easy to get hold of and happy to answer any questions we had.Leading up to the day she was an awesome help with finding somewhere for our photos with the wedding party which made things so easy. The quality of the photos we received are remarkable and couldn’t be happier with how they came out. The way she ran her part of the day was so easy and made our day a heap easier.
Mandy was a pleasure to work with. She was very professional and made us feel totally comfortable and at ease. She was great in the lead-up to our big day; very prompt at replying and letting us know what she needed from us as well as offering us advice. The photos turned out absolutely amazing and we couldn’t be happier. She was so discreet on the day that we didn’t even notice she was taking photos of certain parts of the day which was a great surprise when looking through the images. Mandy is so friendly and easy-going, it felt like having another friend there. She went above and beyond with helping out on the day and assisted us in any way she could. Mandy gave us direction and pointers to ensure the photos turned out amazing. We would highly recommend her, she was amazing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you based, and do you travel?
I’m based in Christchurch and photograph all over Canterbury and the South Island. Whether it’s a family session at the beach, branding photos for your business, or a special event further afield, I’m happy to travel to where your story unfolds.
How do I book a session?
Just fill out the contact form on my website or send me an email. We’ll chat through what you’re after, and I’ll help you choose the right package and find a time that works.
How far in advance should I get in touch?
My 2026 and 2027 season are booking out quickly. Please do get in touch if you are keen as soon as possible as I may still have a space available.
What’s your photography style?
Natural, elegant, and relaxed. I aim to make people feel comfortable and to have fun. My goal is always to capture real connection and honest moments, beautifully.
Do you help with locations or styling?
Yes! I’m happy to suggest locations around Christchurch and beyond, and I can guide you on what to wear or bring.
When will I receive my images?
I deliver a preview gallery within 1 – 2 days (let me know if speedy turnaround is important to you). For the full gallery, most weddings are delivered in 4 weeks and portrait sessions within 2–3 weeks. During wedding season these times may be longer, I will be able to advise you on booking. You’ll receive your edited images via a private online gallery, ready to download and share.
Do you capture LGBTQ+ weddings?
Absolutely! Everyone is welcome here. I’m all about creating a relaxed, supportive space where you can be fully yourselves and have your love story celebrated with care and authenticity.
Couples Sessions
Whether you’re newly engaged, celebrating a milestone, or simply want some beautiful photos together, these sessions are all about capturing you as you are. No pressure, no awkward posing. Just time to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and create images that feel honest, warm, and true to you both.
We’ll choose a spot that suits your vibe and head out when the light is soft and golden for the most flattering results. The best time for photos is usually around sunrise or just before sunset.
Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. Natural tones, soft textures, and simple layers tend to photograph beautifully. You don’t need to match — instead, think about colours and styles that complement each other. I’m always happy to help with outfit planning if you’re unsure.
Let’s keep it relaxed, have a few laughs, and make some magic together.
