Photographer of the Month: Ken Downie

Ken Downie is an Auckland-based photographer who specialises in portraiture and has photographed for Metro, North & South, Cuisine and the national library.

How long have you been a photographer for?

About 25 years.

What attracted you to photography?

I was always sort of interested in photography when I was a kid. I thought Japanese cameras were cool but it was portraiture that got me really hooked.

What is your speciality?

Portraiture, landscape, still life.

How would you describe your style?

Documentary type portraiture, new topographic type landscape.

What is your favourite combination of gear?

No favourite combination though I think my 5D and the 24-105 would get more use than anything else.

What is/has been your greatest challenge as a photographer?

Staying a photographer - it's not as easy as it looks.

What do you find most gratifying about being a photographer?

Photography is a dream job, well almost a dream job - that is until something goes wrong. However, it's a great way to make a living being creative.

What has been your most memorable assignment and why?

Being commissioned to make an exhibition for the national library.

If not a photograper, I would...

Photography was my second choice. I always wanted to be a game show host.

If the chance arose, who or what would you most like to photograph?

I'd like an assignment to document the 'three gorges dam' in china.

What motivates you to get your day going each morning?

An alarm clock, coffee and whatever is on that day that can be a big motivation.

What was your last big non-photographic spend?

The last big photographic spend was maybe a not-very-flash car.

What tips or advice do you have for budding photographers?

To maybe get a day job, study law or science or medicine…