PROFILE

Fay Looney is a high profile New Zealand photographer who has enjoyed considerable success during a long and illustrious career. In the early days Fay traveled extensively photographing children in North Island Schools before taking a turn towards wedding and portrait photography where she became well known. Fay went on to become the first woman President of the New Zealand Professional Photographers Association, now the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. An interest in sports photography resulted in her being accredited to the Barcelona Olympics and several World Equestrian Champs. In the nineteen eighties Fay also covered international rugby & golf events. At sixty Fay turned to the landscapes she had become familiar with while driving every highway and byway during the school photography career.
Her first Book, First Light, Last Light (Hodder Moa Beckett) was a personal photographic account of holidays with family and Fay’s new discoveries about New Zealand at first and last light. This book was a sell out and is no longer available.

Light is her  motivator and the motivation and perseverance to get out of bed early has seen Fay capture some glorious moments as New Zealand awakes. This is still her favourite time of the day although the sunsets in her home town of Oakura also make for wonderful images for her library of photography. Fay’s photo library is represented by Emma Williams at Canvass (www.canvass.co.nz)
Fay’s next book Land of Many Contrasts (New Holland Publishers) was released at Te Papa in 2005.

Taranaki - “be here be surprised” is a self published work by Fay. Three volumes of this have now been published and a fourth is planned.
Fay created a collection of New Zealand Landscape cards and later added a unique Christmas Card range.  Fay traveled widely around the country planting a live Christmas tree in some iconic New Zealand landscapes. An Australian range has also been created. Fay’s cards have been purchased by embassies and corporations for international use, her images adorn many international tourism websites and some of these are included within Tourism New Zealand’s online library.

Fays iconic pohutukawa image captured on East Cape has appeared at the Chelsea Flower Show, as a cover shot for Rata & Pohutukawa (Te Papa press) and on Air New Zealand's web site.. It has also been utilised on numerous occasions to promote New Zealand internationally.

Today, technology has revolutionised how Fay operates her business.  Digital has opened exciting new doors and the production of her cards can be done utilising short run printing to allow a wider choice and more options for her clients.  
Fay continues to shoot pictures at every opportunity and her enthusiasm and passion are positively infectious.. As a mentor and a confidante for many New Zealand photographers and a passionate advocate for their rights, particularly in the copyright area, her contribution extends widely within the imaging community.

Married to Harry for 48 years, and together enjoying five grandchildren, Fay says, ”Photography keeps me motivated. The challenge is to produce images that promote this wonderful country and celebrate its beauty, its great to still be excited by a waking world as you stand on an isolated road to a new place.”