Samantha Donaldson Photography

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Samantha Donaldson Photography

Commercial Photographer 📷

Branding. Lifestyle. Architecture.

13/08/2026

I love spaces with a strong sense of design, so I loved photographing this one.

The new Astra Walker showroom in Ponsonby, Auckland is the architectural bathroomware brand’s first New Zealand showroom, and every part of it feels considered. Warm stone, timber, soft tones and, of course, beautifully designed tapware.

Here’s a few favourites from the shoot….

06/08/2026

There’s something special about photographing people who are completely obsessed with their craft. The ones who care so much about getting it right that they forge their own path.

A few years ago, Auckland ceramic artist Fiona couldn’t find the kind of porcelain dinnerware she wanted: elegant and understated, in soft, muted tones. So she didn’t settle. She created Bisk | Handmade porcelain tableware after studying ceramic chemistry and developing her own clay and glazes from scratch.

Now every piece is made slowly and intentionally using the traditional methods of wheel-throwing, mould-making and slipcasting. Elegant enough for the table, durable enough for daily life, and finished with incredible attention to detail.

These are the stories I love telling. Not just what someone makes, but the care, curiosity, and years of work behind it.

Bisk’s online store launches this November. If you love beautifully crafted porcelain, it’s one to watch.

27/07/2026

After being away from my work accounts for the past few months, I wanted to acknowledge why I’ve been quiet.

Many of you will already know, but for those who don’t, earlier this year our beautiful 12 year old son, Hugo, passed away after 2½ years of fighting a brutal cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. It has been the most devastating, heart-shattering time for our family, and my focus has been entirely on being with those I love and finding a way through each day.

I’m slowly beginning to return to work and creating again. I’m not quite the same person I was before, and that’s okay. Creating has always been an outlet for me, and I’m hopeful it can be part of how I continue to find my way through this new chapter, learning to live alongside my grief.

This page will return to being a place where I share my work, but Hugo will always be part of my story.

A quote Hugo loved was:
“If you die from cancer, the cancer didn’t win, because it died too. So it’s a draw.”

It reflected so much of who Hugo was: wise beyond his years, wickedly funny, and with a perspective on life that continually amazed us.

Thank you for being here. ❤️

09/03/2026

I arrived back in NZ on Friday and am sat at my desk for the first time in 2 months! Feels weird but feels good 🤍

This week looks like 2 branding shoots (so grateful to have booked 2 shoots in my first week back home!) then my focus will turn to my family as we have scans for Hugo later this week so we can find out if the treatment he received in Texas worked 🤞🏻🙏🏻❤️✨

This shot of was taken in December and had such an effortlessly cool vibe to it, don’t you think?

11/01/2026

Professional, but never stiff 👊🏻

Branding imagery that reflects how you want people to feel when they work with you. Relaxed, considered and confident, while still working hard for your business.

Featuring AI & automations whizz Hanna from .mind that we shot back in December 📷

18/12/2025

A peek at yesterdays shoot ✨

’s brand needed imagery that reflected her depth, warmth, and the transformational work she offers as a therapist and mentor. Thoughtful, grounded, and beautifully human, just like her work.

Thank you for trusting me Jen 🤍

16/12/2025

Great architecture isn’t just about the finished build, it’s about the people, the conversations, and the trust built along the way.

For this branding shoot for , it was important to show how Reginald works - collaborating closely with clients, inviting them into the process, and designing spaces that genuinely reflect the people who live and work in them. When clients are part of the journey, the outcome feels that much more meaningful.

11/11/2025

〰️ N E W W O R K 〰️

Combining my love of architecture photography with my other love: branding.

Website imagery for law firm Mayne Wetherell.

17/10/2025

I’ve had a few people ask me to make this a post so they can share it. So here goes. Thank you for all the generosity and beautiful messages so far. Keeping the hope alive and ready to fight 👊🏻

Dear clients, friends and, followers,

This isn’t an easy thing to write and share on this page. I mostly try and keep this page work based with a little personal insight from time to time. However the time has come to put the uncomfortable feeling aside for my sons sake.

Many of you who have been here a while or who know me personally will know that my son Hugo has been battling cancer this year for the second time. For those that don’t, Hugo was first diagnosed with stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, in January 2024. After an intensive 6 months of chemo and radiation he was showing no signs of cancer by August 2024. This was unfortunately short lived, and whilst on maintenance chemotherapy he relapsed in March this year and put on new intensive chemotherapy treatment. We were devastated to find out a few weeks ago that this treatment is not working and our options in NZ are running out (we have been told there are no curative treatments left).

Hugo has been accepted onto a promising clinical trial for Car-T cell therapy in America that could be his only chance at growing up and living a normal life. Unfortunately this trial comes at a huge cost and we are needing to raise money ASAP to get him there while he is physically well enough to travel so time is running out.

This is incredibly difficult for me to write and share, I literally feel sick in my stomach posting this. But I hope you understand why I need to share this in every place possible.

If you have the means to spare anything I’ll pop the link below and we would be eternally grateful however please only if you are in a position to do so.

Much love,
Sam

Please know: I am still taking on a handful of shoots each month in case anyone is wanting to reach out to book, please don’t feel any hesitation in that respect. I absolutely love my work, it’s great to have another focus and in all honesty I need to keep working to pay bills too ❤️

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/the-donaldsons-continue-to-fight

Image by 🥹

14/10/2025

The cat’s out of the bag!

Sorry… couldn’t help myself 🙈

What an absolute delight capturing new Evelyn print that launched today. This nostalgic, floral print is absolutely gorgeous 🤍

Featuring the latest addition to the Donaldson family: Gary the kitten 😻

Lifestyle product photography for New Zealand linen brand Foxtrot Home.

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Beachlands
Beachlands
2018

Website

http://www.samanthadonaldson.com/

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