Dave Hart

Dave came to photography later than most of the people he now shares a virtual darkroom with. Originally from the UK and now living in Christchurch, he first picked up a camera in February 2023 - and it quickly became something closer to an obsession than a hobby.

It started with evening classes that same year, more out of curiosity than as part of a plan. That curiosity has carried him through studying for a diploma in 2024 and 2025, an achievement he’s currently building on with further diploma-level study. Dave admits that he’s taken on a little more than he expected with official roles at both the Rangiora and Kaiapoi photographic clubs, and more recently (2025) Communications Councillor for the Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ). And then there’s the volunteering. For the past couple of years, he's volunteered to photograph Dragon Boat regattas, and that, in turn, led him to become the official photographer for the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association National Championships at Lake Karapiro in 2026. And in amongst all that, he’s somehow found the time to achieve his LPSNZ, APSNZ and his AFIAP!

But, Dave stresses, the last few years haven't just been about accumulating credentials. They've been about discovering what it feels like to learn something for its own sake - of finding a creative outlet he didn't know he needed. He admits to enjoying multiple genres. Macro, portraiture, street/photojournalism, wildlife, abstract, action and sports have all found a place in his creative journey. When asked why so many genres, Dave believes it’s because for each genre, he needs to learn something different, and for him, that's the exciting part.

That same desire to contribute where his camera can make a difference led him to This Is How It Feels, a New Zealand book project bringing together the lived experience of mental and emotional distress through poetry, storytelling and visual art. Dave was one of a small team who gave their time and expertise to bring this book to life, contributing his photography to fit alongside contributions from those with mental health and community backgrounds.

And, of course, Dave is doing all of this alongside his day job! But he says he treats that ‘tension’ as part of the story as opposed to an obstacle to work around. He feels he puts it best in the poem opposite which he wrote to describe just what his craft means to him.

Please stop here for take a few moments and read Dave’s awesome poem before looking at and enjoying his fabulous art.