About me

Hi, Im Laura Payne, I am born and raised in Auckland / New Zealand and have always been interested in art, photography, and everything beautiful. I enjoy photographing in natural light and I love to capture landscapes and people around the world.

Although formally trained as an interior designer, I followed a passion in art and photography and worked as a digital artist and senior retoucher in a leading photography studio for five years. With a background in retouching my interest in photography began to grow more when I left New Zealand in 2010.

I have travelled extensively throughout Asia and Europe, and everywhere I go my camera comes with. From landscapes, to people and architecture I see photo opportunities everywhere. My husband and I kite surf so we often end up in beautiful places that we wouldn't go to otherwise.

Skills

- Retouching - Understanding of anatomy, lighting, colour and composition., - Adobe CS5, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator and Lightroom, - Proficient in Macintosh and Windows operating systems, - Microsoft Office software package, including Word and Powerpoint, - Creative conceptual design ability, from concepts through to final print product., - I have the ability to organise and manage changing priorities, - Wordpress and other blogging software

Sector Experience

Stuart Riddell Portrait Design, Auckland, New Zealand, Senior Retouch Artist - New Zealand’s leading photographic studio specialising in fine-art portraiture. This is an award winning studio that has been operating for over 25 years and has won many national and international photography awards. It is a small company that employs around 15 staff., Airbnb.com, Photographer - Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list and book accommodation around the world. I photograph interiors and exteriors of properties, work closely with the owners of the rentals and act as an Airbnb brand ambassador.

Awards

2004 - 2006 Diploma of Interior Design, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand, Papers include Design History and Theory, Ergonomics, Kitchen and Bathroom Design, Colour Principles, Historical Restoration and Conservation, Building Technology and Services, Materials and Finishes, Lighting, Visual Communication and Business Management., 2009 Les Walkling - Advanced Photoshop Workshop, Auckland, New Zealand, 1999 - 2003 Macleans College, Auckland, New Zealand, 2003 Bursary University Entrance, 2002 Sixth Form Certificate