Nancy and Chayse - Family Adventure Ahoot - Whatipu Beach, Auckland

Whatipu Beach feels vast and quiet in a way that makes everything else fade into the background. The open sand, the constant wind, and the scale of the landscape create this calm, grounding atmosphere that I’m always drawn to. It’s not a place that needs much direction - it asks you to slow down and simply be present.

Photographing Nancy and her son Chayse here felt really natural. We kept things simple, moving together and letting moments unfold without forcing anything. Some of my favourite images came from the in-between moments - the way they walked side by side, small gestures, shared glances. Whatipu felt like the perfect space to capture that connection, quietly and honestly.