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Writer's pictureHannah Lind

Meet My Mate - Andy Brown Wanaka Photographer

A photographer is definitely more than the photos they take. The person behind the camera is one of the people you’ll be spending the most time with on your wedding day.


Bride and groom on Cecil Peak Queenstown with celebrant during wedding ceremony
Emma and Damian on Cecil Peak in Queenstown

So finding a photographer who you enjoy spending time with, who helps you feel relaxed (not stressed) AND has a photography style you like is one of my biggest wedding planning recommendations.


So I want you to meet my mate Andy Brown, a fabulous Wanaka Photographer.

Andy Brown, Wanaka Photographer.  Check jacket, cap and beard
The man behind the camera

We’ve worked together on big weddings, elopements and everything in between.

At every one of them I’ve seen him help every couple relax. I’ve seen him put aside his camera for 10 minutes and be there to just celebrate with them in the moment - the minutes after they’ve just said I do and got married!

I’ve seen him capture so many moments quietly, unobtrusively and as it always turns out - beautifully.

Boho bride with elderly relatives congratulating her after wedding ceremony

Also I just genuinely enjoy Andy’s company, and since I love surrounding myself with people’s whose company I enjoy, I figured you might too.


I got to be nosy and ask Andy a few questions (which as you might know is one of my favourite things)


Where are you based and where do you travel to?


We’re based in Wanaka, and travel anywhere really.


Guests throwing confetti as bride and groom kiss, dog on leash held by bride, watches.

How did you get into photography?


I’ve always been interested in it as an artform, largely street and skateboarding photography.

I discovered my love for photography learning how to develop film while I was studying. Something about the process got me addicted.


How long have you been a wedding photographer?


I’ve been shooting weddings since 2008.

Bride and groom walking in long golden grass surrounded by mountains New Zealand
A behind the scenes shot

What are your favourite weddings to photograph (there’s no wrong answer here - big ones, small ones, back country ones, elopements, ones with green suits)? And why?


Any wedding where it’s truly about the couple, and not influenced by anyone else. Elopements have been and always will be a winner for me for this reason.


Based on being at heaps of weddings, what advice would you give someone getting married now?

Often overlooked, but when making your timeline, allow for blocks of time where you don’t need to do anything or be anywhere. This is the time where you get to just hang out with your family and friends (or each other if you’ve eloped) and enjoy being at your wedding. Probably the most important part!


Tell us a little bit about your wedding day. Where/

when/ to who?

Waitangi Day 2012 is when Lisa & I married. Means we get a public holiday every anniversary too!

We had a backyard wedding in a little country town called Culverden in North Canterbury where we both grew up.


Bride and groom on their wedding day
Look at these two!!

What might you do differently based on what you

know now?


If I were to change anything about our wedding, it would be that I would have listened to my wife! Lisa suggested we elope, just the two of us and our kids. As much as I loved having my family and friends there, seeing now how simple low cost and stress free elopements are, we’d be doing just that!

Bride and groom holding hands looking down on Lake Wakatipu from mountain top at sunset as rays of sun break through the clouds
Had to finish with a classic and brilliant sunset shot!

Of course there’s more to Andy’s story than this. Take a look at his website andybrown.co.nz



And wherever and however you’re getting married, happy planning and congratulations from Andy and me!


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