Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) photography graduate Rachel Hampton has recently made her mark in the 2025 NZIPP Iris Professional Photography Awards, achieving seven awards from eight images, including her first gold.

Ms Hampton, who is Nelson based, completed the New Zealand Diploma in Photography Level 6, through the SIT2LRN Distance Learning Faculty, graduating in 2024.

Before 2019, Ms Hampton didn’t own a camera. She bought a DSLR and learned how to use it while studying a Bachelor of Arts and Media from NMIT (2019 – 2021). “I had waited until my kids were a bit older before I tackled my bachelor’s,” she said, adding “the photography was the main reason for doing the degree; I loved all of [it], but I wanted to go back and learn some aspects more in depth - the diploma filled in the gaps,” she explains.

Ms Hampton did the SIT level 6 diploma over two years, describing the course as fun. “… It supports professional photography as well… the assignments push you to extend yourself. The briefs were often broad enough that you could choose whatever genre you’re interested in.”

The Iris Awards are organised by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP); open to all New Zealand and International professional photographers, Ms Hampton started entering the maximum of four images in both 2021 and 2023 as students get a free entry of one image per year. However, the category was open this year, “you could enter as many images as you liked”.

Ms Hampton submitted eight images, all of which were created for her NZDP607 - Professional Portfolio paper - and gained seven awards: one Gold, two Silver Distinctions, and four Silvers. To top it off, she was also a finalist for the Student Photographer of the Year. “I was pretty stoked,” she says. “I can't say how thrilled I was to see these printed and then come away with such encouraging results! ...and my first Gold! It really was a fantastic way to finish my formal study.”

The three images Ms Hampton received the Gold and Silver Distinctions for were part of her final 18 images from her SIT diploma portfolio. “They were my favourites, and I received the highest marks for them.”

She encourages students to enter the competition; “there’s a panel of five highly qualified photographers from across Australia and New Zealand,” who judge the work, provide feedback and a valuable critique of the students’ work.

Facilitator for the NZDP607 Professional Portfolio paper, Katrina Watt, encouraged Ms Hampton to enter the Iris awards because she was also familiar with the competition, having entered the awards herself. “I knew the process; I knew Rachel’s work reflected their parameters. She was interested in professional affiliations… I pointed her towards this, and she entered as a final-year student.”

NZIPP judges are always looking for trends and styles shaping the photographic world, Ms Watt explained. “The judges thought that Rachel’s work hit current trends in still, conceptual, and art photography, and that it could also fit in the commercial realm.”

“Something I think is quite important is that the 607 paper is structured in such a way the student goes through a full, complete project in the paper.” Producing three sets of images: developmental, experimental - where they seek feedback from peers and facilitator, and then the final set is used for their portfolio. “It’s reflective of the art-making process that you’d find in a degree programme… The 607 paper feeds nicely into the exhibition paper, which is the final closing of the loop for the student.”  

“It’s very experimental and developmental. Rachel thrived in that environment. She had the time to experiment, doing just one or two papers at a time.”

“… it’s a massive achievement for a student to get seven awards from eight images and be a finalist in the student category as well. It’s huge,” Ms Watt stated. 

Ms Hampton says the diploma has given her the confidence to go forward and expand her horizons. “For me it’s about personal excellence. You need to be self-motivated to achieve in distance learning. I approached it thinking, I want to get as much out of it as I can and learn as much as I can.” 

Having established a Rachel Hampton Fine Art website, Ms Hampton said, “My goal is to be running my own business. The plan is to develop further in children’s portraiture and commercial work.” She’s also in the throes of completing another SIT2LRN qualification – the New Zealand Certificate in Small Business Level 4. “It forces you to look at all the nitty gritty, and the ins and outs of doing a business plan. It’s a good foundation for where I’m heading.”  

To view Ms Hampton’s award-winning images, go to www.rachelhamptonfineart.com