Hi I’m Mandy

Photography has always been a big part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are of my Dad’s chunky film camera and a deep fascination with the process of capturing our family and waiting for the prints to be developed. My first job I earnt $4.50 an hour and saved it all to buy my first digital camera.

Before I was a professional photographer I went to The University of Tasmania for a PhD in behavioural ecology to study the effect of climate change on snow skinks. During my time in Hobart my friend booked me tickets home – to photograph her wedding! It was an experience I will never forget and soon lead to a thriving photography business. What started in Tasmania years ago has grown into something I feel deeply grateful to do here in Aotearoa.

It is such a privilege to be a photographer here; we live in a stunning part of the world. I never get tired of our scenery – the sea, the hills, the lakes, rivers and mountains. I love incorporating our landscapes into my images. I also love making images that feel true to my clients, in places that mean something to them. Windswept hair, cheeky smiles and unspoken connections – I’m here for it all.

If you’re interested in having me as your photographer, I’d love to connect:

Call me on 0225007008

Email me at info@mandycaldwell.co.nz

I’m a mum of four and a lifelong nature enthusiast. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m with my husband Pete and our children William (12), Luke (7), Jamie (4), and Bella (1)—along with our big dog Sylvie. We’re a family that loves adventure and the outdoors, whether it’s walking, fishing, or swimming in a quiet lake. These photos are from our last holiday to an all time favourite location of mine. Its buried in the heart of the South Island and is truly magical in autumn 🍂

A few final thoughts

Over the years, I’ve found that the most meaningful moments are rarely the ones we plan. It’s the unexpected joy, the real tears, the imperfectly perfect moments that end up telling the best story. These moments are the ones that stay with us and are told and retold. Love shows up in the most unexpected ways – and that’s what I’m looking for through my lens.

Whether you’re celebrating your first big milestone or welcoming a new family member, I’m here for it all. With every session I photograph, I’m reminded just how powerful it is to pause, to notice, and to be thankful. A great photograph can be a reflection of who you are right now and what matters most to you in the world.

Life seems to move faster every year, but the feeling of a moment – that can be captured. And that’s what I hope to give you. Photographs that help you feel it all over again.