Taupo Photographer
Creative, Award-Winning Commercial, Event, Headshot Photography in Taupo
I'm Richard Wood, one of New Zealand's most decorated photographers with five NZIPP New Zealand Photographer of the Year titles to my name. I also hold the distinction of being the only photographer in the 80-plus year history of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography to have achieved Grand Master with three bars, GM.NZIPP III, the highest points accolade ever awarded by New Zealand's governing body of professional photography. I also hold Double Master status with the International Icon Awards, one of a small number of photographers worldwide to reach that level.
With a permanent office base in Taupō, I deliver that same internationally recognised craft to commercial, event, headshot and architectural photography clients across Taupō, Tūrangi, Acacia Bay and the wider Central North Island.
Great commercial photography doesn't ask you to choose between imagery that looks exceptional and imagery that performs. At this level, those are the same thing. Whether you're a Taupō business refreshing your brand, an accommodation provider wanting photography that fills rooms, an event organiser needing coverage that captures the room at its best, or an organisation requiring consistent professional headshots across your team, every image I produce is built to hold attention, communicate quality and work across every platform you need it to.
When Huka Lodge needed a Taupō photographer at short notice, they called me. When editorial portraits from the Taupō region were needed for Air New Zealand's Kia Ora Magazine, my work was the natural fit. When accommodation providers, event organisers and commercial clients across Taupō need imagery that reflects the standard of their business, they call me.
If you're looking for a Taupō photographer who brings genuine international pedigree to every commission, get in touch to discuss your project.
Office Address
By Appointment only
253 Taupahi Road, Turangi,
Taupo District, New Zealand
Contact
+64 27 479 3297
Commercial Photography, Business Headshots, Advertising, Editorial & Events
Whether you’re refreshing your brand, launching a campaign, holding an event or updating professional portraits, Richard provides a complete photography service for Taupō.
-
Business & Corporate Headshots
On-location or portable studio headshots for Taupō professionals, teams and personal brands. Confident, consistent portraits that build trust and credibility across your website, LinkedIn and marketing materials.
-
Commercial, Branding & Advertising Photography
Strategic imagery built to perform across campaigns, marketing collateral and visual identity. I work with Taupō businesses of all sizes, from local operators to national brands requiring Central North Island production.
-
Event Photography
Discreet, high-impact coverage for corporate events, conferences, award evenings and community occasions across Taupō and the wider district. I capture the energy, scale and key moments that make your event worth documenting.
-
Creative Portraits & Editorial Images
Considered portrait and editorial photography for individuals, publications and creative projects throughout the Taupō region and Central Plateau.
-
Tourism, Accommodation & Landscape Photography
Specialist imagery celebrating the beauty of Lake Taupō, the Central Plateau and the Ruapehu District. Ideal for accommodation providers, tourism operators and hospitality businesses wanting photography that showcases their property and location at its best.
Why Choose Richard Wood
01. Over Two Decades in Commercial Photography
More than two decades of work across product, fashion, architecture, events and advertising means I've likely solved a brief like yours before. That depth of experience is what Taupō businesses are getting when they choose to work with me, less risk and less guesswork on your project.
02. New Zealand's Highest Decorated Photographer
Five NZIPP New Zealand Photographer of the Year titles. The highest points total ever recorded in the NZIPP's 80 plus year history. Grand Master with three bars, GM.NZIPP III, a level no other New Zealand photographer has reached. I've also picked up Grand Award wins at the Asia Pacific Photography Awards for two years running, along with Grand Awards at WPPI and the International Icon Awards. Internationally I hold Double Master status with the International Icon Awards, a tier awarded above their standard Master accreditation. Accreditation shows a photographer meets a baseline. Awards at this level show the work has been judged exceptional against the best in the country, and internationally.
03. I Set the Standard Other Photographers Are Judged Against
As an NZIPP Accreditation Judge, I assess and accredit the work of other New Zealand photographers. When you hire me as your Taupō photographer, you're not just hiring someone who holds the qualification. You're hiring the person other photographers in this industry are measured against.
04. A Strategic, Business Trained Eye
I hold a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication and a Bachelor of Business in Marketing, and I worked in advertising before I ever picked up a camera professionally. Every image I produce for Taupō clients is built as a piece of strategic visual communication for your brand, not just a nice picture. The creative work and the commercial thinking come from the same person.
05. International Recognition
I've judged international photography competitions and run workshops sharing my knowledge with photographers overseas. My published photography courses have delivered more than 140,000 hours of education to photographers worldwide. It means Taupō clients are working with someone whose standard has been tested well beyond New Zealand, not just within it.
Recent Work - Taupo Area
Interiors
BAY VISTA
For Bay Vista in Acacia Bay, I produced architectural and lifestyle imagery showcasing this beautifully presented Taupō holiday home. The photography was designed to help the property stand out in a competitive short-stay market and the results speak for themselves in guest responses online.
Interiors
SAPLINGS
A newly built early childhood centre in the heart of Taupō, designed to feel less like an institution and more like a second home. I was commissioned to photograph the space ahead of their opening, capturing the warmth, light and considered design that sets Saplings apart in the Taupō early childhood market.
Tourism
RAURIMU HOLIDAY HOME
Tucked beneath the Tongariro National Park skyline, this Raurimu holiday home enjoys uninterrupted views across to Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. A genuine "wake up to the volcanoes" outlook. I made the most of that setting, with the finished result designed to let the mountains do the talking.
Book Your Taupō Photography Session
I maintain a permanent office base in Taupō and am available for commissions across Acacia Bay, Kinloch, Tūrangi, Kuratau, Omori and the wider Central North Island.
For enquiries or bookings, email info@richardwood.nz or phone 027 479 3297.
Elevate your presence with imagery that reflects the professionalism and spirit of Taupō.
Taupo Area Testimonials
Huka Lodge
Boutique Accommodation - Taupo
We engaged Richard for a last-minute shoot at Huka Lodge, and the experience was seamless from start to finish. His prompt communication and flexibility made coordinating on short notice effortless and he intuitively understood the brief. The final assets perfectly captured the space as intended. A pleasure to work with, and highly recommended.
Cy Unverricht
Bay Vista - Acacia Bay, Taupo
“We couldn’t be happier with the photographs Richard captured of our Air BnB Holiday Home here in Acacia Bay, Taupō. The images are absolutely stunning — beautifully lit, architectural, and full of atmosphere. They showcase the unique aesthetic and warmth of our home perfectly, and we’ve had so many guests comment on how professional the photos look online.
Richard’s fine art prints also feature throughout our holiday home, and they bring such character and life to each room. His work adds a touch of elegance that our visitors truly appreciate. We’re over the moon with the results and highly recommend Richard Wood Photography to anyone in Taupo looking for high-quality architectural or accommodation photography.”
Liliana Calva
The Hare & Copper Eatery - Turangi
We’ve worked with Richard for several years now, and he’s become our go-to creative for both photography and branding. His fine art pieces have been a real feature on the walls of The Hare & Copper here in Tūrangi, and our guests comment on them all the time.
Richard also helped us develop our branding and logo, and most recently the full brand design for our new café, The Angler’s Table. He made the whole process easy, and really understood what we were trying to create.
We’re looking forward to showcasing more of Richard’s fine art photography in the new space when we open. He’s professional, talented, and genuinely great to work with. Highly recommend.
Omaka Lodge
Accommodation - Ruapehu District
We created a boutique B&B in the Ruapehu District, and wanted new photography for our website. Richard Wood Photography was highly recommended to us, and we were delighted that his new Taupo base meant he was able to undertake a photo and video shoot here. The results were absolutely brilliant, capturing the essence of our B&B - something our previous photos didn't do. We can now finally update our website photos, knowing they're a true reflection of reality! Richard was wonderful to deal with, and highly professional and efficient. We thoroughly recommend Richard Wood Photography, and look forward to continued collaboration!
RACHAEL SMITH
Travel Documentary - Video Edit
Richard was incredible to work with on our In Pursuit of Giants documentary adventure. Based at Lake Taupō’s Kuratau shore and venturing across three mountains in Tongariro National Park over two days, he captured cinematic footage, audio, and stills, bringing our experience to life. The final film was stunning — a truly memorable production that we will treasure. Professional, creative, and passionate — Richard made the whole process effortless and inspiring.
AMANDUH LA
Taupo Pride Event
Richard Wood brings a level of humility, dependable & professional excellence to any project or tasks given.
Evidence are in the images provided to the Taupo Pride event 2024.
He embarks on affording clients in Taupo that same drive, exceptional service, & attention to detail.
Reliable and trustworthy innovative & economically viable.
I highly recommend Richard Wood Photography.
With outstanding accolades this International Award winning photographer should be your first choice
By Appointment only
253 Taupahi Road, Turangi,
Taupo District, New Zealand.
+64 27 479 3297
Servicing Taupō, Turangi, Acacia Bay, Kinloch, Kuratau, Omori, Ruapehu District, Central North Island
