Michelle Cutelli Photography

27/08/2026

✨ TWO FINALIST IMAGES! ✨

I photographed this stunning creation by the talented Elmarie. 🤍

• Exquisite bridal hair
• Delicate pearl detailing
• SECOND finalist image! 🏆

Two finalists — what an achievement! So thrilled for you, Elmarie. 🫶🏼✨

📸 Michelle Cutelli Photography



@ crème brûlée hair and beauty

✨ Elmarie’s SECOND finalist entry! ✨

We are so excited to share Elmarie’s 2nd incredible image to make the finals of the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards Patrick Cameron Senior category 🤍

To have not one, but TWO images selected as finalists in her first year stepping up into the Senior category is such an amazing achievement.

We couldn’t be prouder of you, Elmarie — your creativity, talent and hard work continue to shine. 🤍✨

Two finalist images. One very talented stylist. 🫶🏼🏆

Photographer - Michelle Cutelli 📸🤍

24/08/2026

We did it again. ✨ NEW ZEALAND HAIR AWARDS FINALISTS! ✨ it’s always a pleasure.

What an incredible collection of talent! 🏆📸

I’m so proud and grateful to have photographed these beautiful finalist images for the hugely talented team at Crème Brûlée Hairdressing, Taupō.

There’s something very special about collaborating with passionate, creative people and watching all the hard work come together, then seeing those images recognised on the national stage makes it even more rewarding. ✨

🏆 Kyra — Patrick Cameron Next Generation Finalist
🏆 Elmarie — Patrick Cameron Senior Finalist
🏆 Tami — Patrick Cameron Senior Finalist
🏆 Cheyenne — Patrick Cameron Senior Finalist
🏆 Alysha — New Talent Finalist

A huge thank you also to the gorgeous models who helped bring each stylist’s creative vision to life.

Congratulations to the entire Crème Brûlée team — FIVE finalists! What an outstanding achievement and something to be incredibly proud of. 🏆✨🔥

📸 Michelle Cutelli Photography

24/08/2026

✨ SO PROUD✨

A huge congratulations to gorgeous Alysha from Crème Brûlée Hairdressing, Taupō a FINALIST in the New Talent category at the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards! 🏆✨

Alysha has been in the hair industry for less than 12 months! What an exciting future ahead. 🔥

She is an absolute pleasure to work with creative, focused and so easy to photograph alongside. When great hair, a gorgeous model and creative minds come together, brilliant results happen! 📸✨
🤍

I’m incredibly proud and grateful to once again have my photography represented at the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards finals.

Congratulations Alysha and the amazing Crème Brûlée team so well deserved! 🫶🏼🔥

✨ Now it’s time to share the incredible images that took us all the way to the finals of the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards! ✨

First up is our gorgeous Apprentice Stylist, Alysha 🫶🏼

Would you believe she has been in the hair industry for LESS THAN 12 MONTHS and she’s already a FINALIST in the New Talent category! 🤯👏🏼✨

We are beyond proud of you, Alysha , What an incredible achievement so early in your career & we know this is only the beginning! 🥹♥️

A huge thank you to her gorgeous model Brooke for helping bring her vision to life, and to our incredibly talented photographer Michelle Cutelli 📸✨ Your eye, creativity and talent captured Alysha work perfectly. We truly couldn’t have done it without you. 🫶🏼

Now… time to show off these AMAZING images! 🔥🔥🔥

HairAwards CrèmeBrûlée FutureOfHairdressing

24/08/2026

✨ SO PROUD! ✨

What an incredible achievement for the hugely talented Cheyenne from Crème Brûlée Hairdressing, Taupō a FINALIST in the Patrick Cameron Senior Competition at the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards! 🏆✨

I loved photographing this dreamy romantic image of Olivia in my studio and bringing Cheyenne’s beautiful vision to life.

✨ Next up from the New Zealand Hair & Barber Awards — Patrick Cameron Senior Competition ✨

We are so incredibly proud to share Cheyenne’s elegant & absolutely beautiful image 🤍

After taking out the Next Generation title 2 years ago, it’s so exciting to now see Cheyenne step into the Senior category and once again be named a FINALIST. What an achievement and such a reflection of her talent, creativity and growth. 🫶🏼

A huge thank you to her gorgeous model Olivia for bringing her vision to life, and to our incredible photographer Michelle Cutelli for capturing every detail so beautifully. 📸🫶🏼

We are SO proud of you, Cheyenne, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you on the night! Good luck ###

20/08/2026

🌟 HUGE CONGRATULATIONS JESS! 🌟So incredibly proud Jess from MANCRAFT Barbers, who has achieved the fantastic result of making it through to the New Zealand Hairdressing Nationals with two stunning images I had the pleasure of photographing! 📸✂️

Jess, your work is absolutely exquisite, your creativity, skill and attention to detail truly shine through. It was such a pleasure to see you again this year Excel, and even more exciting to see those images recognised at a national level.

A brilliant achievement and so well deserved. ❤️

Congratulations Jess bring on the NZ Nationals! 🏆✨

✨ FINALIST — NEW ZEALAND HAIR AWARDS 2026 ✨

Jess is officially a finalist in TWO categories at the 2026 New Zealand Hair Awards , Editorial Barber of the Year and Editorial Textured Artistry. 🖤

A massive thanks to her models & her very talented photographer Michelle Cutelli Photography, she couldn’t have done it without you 🫶🏼

Honestly, pretty bloody stoked to make it this far. Editorial work is where Jess gets to get a little creative, push things a bit further and have some fun with the craft so having that work recognised is bloody special 🖤

Now …. Wellington, here we come! 🥂✨

Huge congratulations to all of the 2026 finalists. What an insanely talented bunch to be amongst!

Bring on the celebrations, the nerves, the hairspray and whatever Wellington has in store. 😂

See you there! ✂️🖤

02/08/2026

Sunshine and my favourite day of the year. Mother’s Day 2018. Just me and my boy at the Regent, enjoying a beautiful moment together. 💙

I slowly woke up to the sound of light rain and the smell of delicious pancakes cooking. I enjoyed my breakfast in bed as Sebastian read to me my mosh beautiful Mother’s Day gift Slowly the sun came out, just in time for our lovely lunch at The Regent of Rotorua. We then collected firewood and played basketball in the beautiful afternoon sunshine until the magnificent sunset sent us home. I hope your day was relaxing and full of love like mine was. Happy Mother’s Day

01/08/2026

Ambrosia wasn’t just a bar… it was a place that felt like home.

After a busy morning photographing the Prime Minister, I headed down to TBG The Beer Garden to catch up with friends who had come together to celebrate the good times at Ambrosia.

For me Ambrosia was a little treat, a place to unwind after a big week. Somewhere the locals came to sit in the sunshine and relax.

We'd thrash each other’s pants, on Tuesday quiz night, and enjoy pizza while catching up with familiar faces who, over time, became wonderful friends.

Chris and Mary created something special over the past 20 years. They didn’t just run a restaurant, they created a space where people felt welcome, like they belonged. Fresh flowers in the toilets, VIP rates and always a friendly smile.

Last night wasn’t really about saying goodbye. It was about reminiscing with the people who made Ambrosia what it was. The incredible staff, the laughter, the enthusiasm and the friendships that Chris and Mary nurtured over the years.
They made life fun, and something to look forward to. I was chuffed to win Melbourne Cup best dressed one year.

As I looked around the room, same people different place, iPhone in hand. I felt inspired to capture a community built on friendship, and beautiful memories. A reminder for Chris and Mary, they have touched so many people‘s lives, with their kindness and generosity. Together we’ve celebrated the good times and bad. The best and the worst.

Thank you, Chris and Mary, for your warmth, your kindness, and for giving us a place that felt like home.

While Ambrosia’s doors may have closed, our friendships and memories will live on forever.

01/08/2026

Brilliant morning photographing the Rotorua Business Chamber’s Westpac Smarts Breakfast with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

I had the privilege of photographing the Prime Minister again this year, while being interviewed by Rotorua Business Chamber CEO Melanie Short. It was fantastic to see a great turnout and so many familiar faces at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside.

The morning addressed serious issues affecting Rotorua and New Zealand businesses, including inflation, workforce readiness, education, trades training, infrastructure, energy security, innovation and investment.

Alongside the important conversations, there were plenty of wonderfully light-hearted moments.

A personal highlight was being recognised by the Prime Minister, who kindly thanked me for photographing the event again this year.

His PA photographer from last year offered to take a photograph. A wonderful way to finish great event.

Congratulations to the team at Rotorua Business Chamber, Westpac, Hon. Todd McClay’s office and Novotel Rotorua Lakeside for bringing together such a valuable morning for our business community.

23/07/2026

Capturing the magic of this magnificent event.

23/07/2026

A few quick pics from behind the scenes at yesterday’s Rotorua Business Chamber Women in Business event at the beautiful Regent of Rotorua one of my favourite places.

After a jam packed 6 weeks, two trips to Australia and some of my best photography assignments yet, it was lovely catching up with friends and clients, while hearing our inspiring guest speakers, Jacky James – Managing Director of The Shine Collective and Karen Vercoe – Founder and Owner of KTV Consulting. It's always a privilege to capture these inspiring women their stories and the wonderful energy they bring to our community.

Thank you to Rotorua Business Chamber and major sponsor BurgerFuel Fairy Springs for supporting and celebrating local women in business.

The professional photographs will be shared by the Rotorua Business Chamber soon.

📸💛 Michelle Cutelli Photography