CREATIVITY CAPTURED
Our Photography Tuition and Educational AV’s
The 37th Anniversay of Ronald Woolf’s Tragic Passing
Today marks 37 years since a helicopter accident took the lives of photographer Ronald
Woolf, the pilot and a fellow passenger during a photographic mission over Wellington on
20 November 1987.
Ron’s legacy as photographer continues today, with Woolf Photography still going strong.
“I think he would Dad be proud of what we have achieved, especially the pop-up gallery [in
Karori],” say Simon.
In 1960, Ron Woolf bought the Spencer Digby Studios in Wellington and established the
family firm; a business run now by his son Simon. He was instrumental in early New Zealand
photography, pioneering many aspects of the artform and photographing hosts of people,
places and events along the way.
“He was a real live wire,” Simon recalls. “He railed against organisations, especially
photography organisations, that were not doing what they should and he created
alternatives and solutions.”
Ron was a qualified chemist, who worked for the now defunct Department opf Science and
Industrial Reseach (DSIR). He put those skills to good use at home and in his photography
business.
“He was really good at blowing stuff up. When it was Guy Fawke’s, he created his own
fireworks.”
“He was also ahead of this time with health and safety in terms of working with chemcials
and processing photos. He had us all in protective gear with masks, everything had labels
showing to the front, and any spills were immediately cleaned up.”
While Woolf Photography is well-known for wedding photos, Ron snapped everything form
passport photos to local sports teams, school groups, dignitaries (including royalty) and
major firms, says Simon.
“We had big commercial firms, like Westpac and ANZ, all the banks, various accounting
firms, New Zealand Shipping Lines – that was a big one.
“He said it was always important you photograph everyone the same way, give them the
same experience. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Queen or the local rubgy club. And there would
be days where we would be snapping a digintary in the morning and then a rugby club later
in the day. “
In the 1960s, Ron made a foray in university graducation photography and worked hard to
turn that into the what it is today. Thousands of Victoria University and Massey Wellington
graduates will have had their graduation day photos snapped by Woolf Photography.
“Back then the university said he could only take photos if stayed out the way and couldn’t
be seen. So he started with headshots of grads in their seats, but he built up trust and was
then about to take shots of grads walking across the stage.”
Arial photography was another of Ron’s passions. “He had lots of shots of Wellington form a
helicopter. They’re moody and grainy, but they’re things of beauty. He loved aerial stuff. By
the 80s, there was hardly ever a week where he wasn’t flying.”
Woolf Photography is family business and Ron’s wife Inge worked alongside him, keeping
across the business side of things. “But mum was also a phenomenal photographer. There
are lots of people around Wellington who was have wedding shots by both of them.”
Simon runs the business these days, but sister Deb and wife Megan have been involved amd
now the next generation is getting stuck in, with Simon’s daughter Lily-Jane helping out.
“It’s a real family family business and I hope that continues,” says Simon.
Our Boutique Printing
Bet you didn’t know that we print from other peoples files. Well we do! Using the latest Epson techniques, printers, archival inks and a range of stunning papers, we not only print from our own photos, however also print from files/photos of our customers own photography.
The sizes range from 20x25cm (the old 10x8in size) right up to Photo Murals in excess of 2 metres by 3 metres!
We tend to print on two Photo Paper types, an Epson Paper called Premium Semigloss and Ilford Gallerie Pearl Smooth, while we also print on a range of Fine Art Papers too. These papers are printed in what is termed Giclee, and it is where the inks are embedded into the papers, which are usually textured. Giclee prints are renowned for their longevity. It is the process which Art Galleries and Museums use, and is also a process which Private Collectors prefer.
Our Boutique Printing Service also includes printing from scanned works and something which is really new and innovative off video files!
We offer a personalised customised service, which more often than not involves a coffee and face to face interactions with our customers.
Our Boutique Printing Service, has seen our customers works exhibited on Gallery, Home and Office walls in stunning fashion. Recently we printed a an entire exhibition of Client Works, which was curated and displayed beautifully at Porirua’s Pataka Museum and Art Gallery. In the past we exhibited over 100 A3 Super images at Te Papa, as part of The NEw Zealand China Year of Tourism.
Often we also also frame and present client works which we have Boutique Printed
If you would like more information on the services and pricing we offer with our Boutique Printing please ring Simon on 0275016789.
Some Feedback from our Recent Natural Environment Photography Experience
Last weekend’s Natural Environment Workshop was a huge success. Eight keen
photographers joined Simon Woolf to capture Welllington’s wildlife and natural
environment during a workshop that ran from Friday 15 November to Sunday 17 November.
The group visted Zealandia, the South Coast, Point Halswell and Kapiti Coast where they
took photos of seascapes, landscapes and wildlife, including a dotteral colony at the
southern end of Wellington airport.
The fabulous image of of the south coast shown here was taken Catherine Marshall on an
iPhone 14 Pro, just before sunset.
“It was just one of those days where it just knocks your socks off.”
“In the space of about 10 minutes there were all these light shafts. It was incredible to
watch. It was really ‘rays of God’ stuff,” she said.
Woolf Photography printed Catherine’s photo out on A3 with an Epsom printer, which she is
thrilled with.
“It’s not the gear, it’s the six inches behind the gear,” says Simon. “That’s something I
always say.”
Photographers were enouraged to take photos with mobile phones as well as with cameras,
and with so much wildlife on display there were great opportunies to capture images of
oyster catchers, seals, dotterals, ducklings and dab chicks.
All the wildlife made this one of the most successful workshops. The workshop is part of
Woolf Photography’s advocacy work aorund the environment and protecting it.
Woolf Photography runs a range of workshops throughout the year. For more information
see our website.
Photo Copyright Catherine Marshall
Olivia has just returned to New Zealand after successfully gaining her degree at Yale University in The USA. Having gained a Rowing Scholarship Olivia achieved her degree over the four years, and now has a job back home in Wellington. To record the occasion Simon took a series of photos both in the studio and outdoors nearby our Ebor St Studio. With it having been a little wet weather wise we thought a final shot, brolly, degree and all, would take on a celebratory feel in spite of misty rain! The combination of having a studio and being able to take photos outdoors close by, is a real bonus.
Its coming up to Graduation Time again in December and we are taking bookings already! To make an appointment please email hello@woolf.co.nz
Archives
Simon’s Speaking, Judging and Presenting Engagements proved so Popular, in 2022, 2023 is nearly booked up!
Simon Woolf has had a such an interesting life, and particularly with his photography, his political life, and his focus on our environment. Simon has been presenting at conferences, events and occasions for over four decades. His seminars, workshops and photography tuitions are often booked out. Simon also speaks and presents to charities, service groups, and professional organisations. He shares his experiences freely, frankly, and with humour and warmth.
Recently Simon has been speaking and presenting on Resilience which is The Inge Woolf story of her Holocaust Survival, her life as a refugee, and her consequent life as an immigrant to New Zealand. Resilience was released into Bookshops late May, and consequently sold out!
It has now been reprinted, and is available in all good bookshops, and through The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand. If you purchase a book via The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, the total proceeds from Resilience goes towards The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s Education Programme with The NZ Secondary Schools curriculum.
Simon gives insights into Resilience , his mother’s life, and also the importance of the supporting photography and documents which support the book. History and Legacy is so important to Simon, and an aspect which his emphasised throughout his presentations.
A recent engagement with Khandallah Rebus, a community group of 100plus people where Simon presented in his unique style, illustrated with beautiful imagery is reviewed below:
Long-time Wellingtonians have known Simon as a photographer, supporter of the creative arts, Wellington City Councillor and the owner and lead photographer of one of New Zealand’s best-known photography studios. He is also well known in the areas of conservation, sports, important signposts in our lives and art photography. Now those of us fortunate enough to have been at this meeting also know he is an utterly charming speaker. Sitting seemingly very relaxed at his laptop, he talked as a selection of his stunning photographs came up on the screen above him. He gave generous acknowledgement to his father, Ronald Woolf, who founded the family’s photographic studio. For thirty years one of Woolf senior’s photographs of Queen Elizabeth II was printed on the NZ $20.00 banknote; and Canada used one of Ronald Woolf’s royal portraits as their official photograph of the Queen. Simon’s most overwhelmingly successful photograph was also taken on a royal tour of NZ: Prince William, Kate and baby George, in Wellington in 2014. As Simon was often snubbed by British press photographers, he was very happy when one of them acknowledged: ”Only a portrait photographer could have taken this shot.” While Simon entertained us with anecdotes about some of his famous subjects, we were dazzled by splendid image after splendid image. A welcome swallow shot, taken while waiting for a whale; a whale jumping out of the water in Wellington harbour seemingly in front of the Beehive; goldfinches outside Simon’s window; dolphins – bottlenosed and not; crested grebes in breeding season with chicks sitting on their backs. Sunset from Wrights’ hill; native blue cod in Marlborough Sounds; white heron by the Hutt River; Mt Cook – Lake Pukaki.
To Book Simon to Present at your Event or Occasion Please ring o27 501 6789
Have a look at this 5 minute video on Wellington. Woolf Photography put this AV together to show some of the great parts of our city and it’s environment.
At Woolf Photography we meet some truly inspirational people through our Photography and Videography. Dr Paul Wood is one such person. He is a person who has turned adversity into motivating and inspiring people. Today while collaborating on a Profile Portfolio Session with Paul we nailed a whole array of studio and location photographs which will help Paul with his branding, and especially via his website and social media. Have a look at Paul’s website. What he has achieved, and how he has turned his life around is nothing short of being remarkable . Today I learned so much, and you will get a glimpse why when viewing the video above. Paul’s current Website is : http://www.whatsyourprison.com/
Oh, and don’t forget we specialise in Profile Portfolios which are in context, creative and of quality. We also can produce Video, Time-lapse, Drone and 360 Degree Photography. Please ring Grace for details. on (04) 9176861.
Lucy is a Comic Comedian, who came into the studio looking for some portfolio shots which were a combination of straightforward and different. We nailed both, and had some fun in the process. Having her little friend Molly involved sure helped the different bit too. You wouldn’t expect less when dealing with a Comic!
Photography by Woolf have always been very involved in our community. We have always been involved and supported a range of charities and non profits. Recently we have put our Black and White Limited Edition of “Matariki The Whale and The Beehive” up for auction at two charity events. We are very proud to say that Matariki raised $7,000.00 for the new Wellington Children’s Hospital, and $7,500.00 for Dream Days, a charity which gives support and special experiences to children who are ill.
“Matariki and The Beehive” is a Limited Edition of just 12 Black and White images. Next year “Matariki” will be supporting The Homeless Women’s Trust, at a Charity event in February. We are already taking bids, with a $2000,00 reserve having been set.
Woolf Photography is changing course and moving out of its current Lambton Quay location. Find out how we plan to continue delivering YOU with the best photography experiences...