The results of this year’s Capture the moment photography competition are in!
Capture the moment is IHC's photography competition for New Zealanders who have an intellectual disability, or an intellectual disability and autism.
Established from the success of the IHC Art Awards, Capture the moment has grown year by year. This year’s theme, ‘Nature: the living world’, encompassing all animals, plants, and natural elements that exist independently of people, including water, seas, and mountains, inspired over 160 entries.
The judges were Hawke’s Bay photographer Shayne Jeffares, Christchurch photographer Bridgit Anderson and 2024 First Place Winner Beren Hughes. All said they were honoured to view and select from such a powerful collection of entries.
Auckland-based Dan Zam’s photograph of a lone, native New Zealand duck Whio claimed first prize.
“It feels pretty epic to win,” says Dan. “I have never won anything like this in my life. I love photography because I like taking the photo and looking at it after. And I like other people looking at my photos too. My favourite things to take photos of are animals and my soccer team. I'm so excited that with the prize money I am going to buy a really good camera.”
Second place went to Connor Stokes from Auckland who sought inspiration from Murawai Beach on Auckland’s west coast for his photograph The Sacred End of the Water.
Dean Coleman from Pukekohe took third place with his image of sunlight through trees called A Quiet Moment.
The Youth Award winner was Aurora McCulloch from Darfield with her work Taniwha Splash taken at the Rakaia Gorge River. Aurora was in class at school when she found out she’d won the Youth Award.
“I was sitting in class and my mum sent me an email. I looked and then screamed and told everyone I won,” she says. “I’m proud of myself because I haven’t done much photography, but I enjoy learning.”
The People’s Choice Award went to Wellington’s Regan Humphries with his photograph Muscles shot upwards through a forest canopy. “Leaves, sun and trees, make me feel happy,” says Regan.
All of the top 30 finalists from Capture the Moment will be exhibited at FOTO FEST in Hastings City from 19 September to 2 October 2025.
