Maddox Photography NZ

06/09/2026

THE PUFFIN ADVENTURE IS LIVE! 📸🐧

Right, you’ve been hearing me talk about my incredible adventure to the other side of the world… and now you can finally come along with me!

My latest YouTube video is OUT NOW, taking you right into the heart of the amazing Farne Islands as I set out to photograph the incredible Atlantic Puffins.

And trust me… there are some pretty special moments, and of course lots of puffins! 🐧🐧🐧

If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know how excited I was about this trip, so if you want to see more of the images, the behind-the-scenes action and what really goes on during one of these wildlife adventures, head over to:

🎥 Maddox Photography NZ on YouTube

👉 Come along, see how the adventure unfolds, and let me know what you think!

And if you enjoy it, hit that LIKE and SUBSCRIBE button, it really helps support the channel.

04/09/2026

I'm back in New Zealand!

After an epic 3-month adventure through the UK and Asia, I've finally landed back home, and what a journey it's been!

I've got thousands of images and plenty of stories to share, starting with my incredible trip to the Farne Islands and those unforgettable puffin encounters.

The Farne Islands YouTube video drops this Sunday!!

Can't wait to bring you along for the adventure.🤗

Picture below, incoming Guillemot

30/08/2026

When your camouflage game is this good...

The Morepork (Ruru) is one of New Zealand's masters of camouflage. They can blend so perfectly into their surroundings that finding one can feel like searching for a needle in a very feathery haystack.

But this one clearly took camouflage a little too seriously...

"Can you see me?"

Mate... we can see you. You've just put one fern over your eye!

Still, you've got to admire the confidence. One leaf, one eye covered, and apparently they become invisible.

www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz

28/08/2026

You Don’t Need Rare Birds to Create Great Images

We all have those familiar subjects.

The birds we photograph regularly. The locations we know well. The species that many photographers might walk straight past simply because they’ve seen them countless times before.

But I’ve found that familiarity doesn’t have to limit creativity. In fact, it can often be where creativity begins.

When you spend enough time with a subject, you start looking beyond the obvious photograph. You begin to understand its behaviour, the environment around it, and how different conditions can completely change the way an image looks.

Light becomes a huge part of that process.

I’m constantly watching how the light moves through the landscape, how it can soften a background, isolate a bird, create colour and separation, or transform what might otherwise be an ordinary moment into something much more compelling.

None of these images required rare wildlife or an exotic location.

They simply required time, patience and attention.

Sometimes that meant getting as low as possible to allow the foreground to dissolve into soft colour and shape.

Other times it meant waiting patiently for a small pocket of light to fall across the bird.

Great wildlife images aren’t always about finding something rare.

Sometimes they’re about seeing something familiar in a completely different way.

www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz

24/08/2026

One of the things I love most about wildlife photography is that the photograph itself is only a tiny part of the experience.

Behind every image are early mornings, long hours in the field, changing weather, patience, and plenty of moments when the light simply doesn’t play ball. It’s watching, waiting, learning the behaviour of the birds, and sometimes returning home with very little to show for the effort.

When you look at a finished photograph, you see a split second captured in time. What you don’t see is everything that happened before I pressed the shutter.

For me, that’s what makes wildlife photography so rewarding. It’s not just about the photograph, it’s about the journey, the connection with the wildlife, and the moments that happen along the way.

If you want to see some behind the scenes, why not check out my YouTube channel and I’m always grateful for a like and subscribe 🤗

Link to channel in the comments.

20/08/2026

Two lovebirds, the incredible North Island Kōkako.

What a remarkable conservation success story these beautiful native birds represent.

From numbers falling dangerously low, to now seeing Kōkako populations slowly increasing across the country thanks to the incredible work of conservation groups, volunteers, iwi, landowners and communities.

They’re certainly not out of the woods yet, but the results of years of hard work are being noticed, and that’s something worth celebrating.

www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz

14/08/2026

There’s nothing quite like nailing that moment in the field and coming home to find your subject tack sharp.

For me, achieving critical sharpness is always something I strive for. Good focus, detail and resolution can make a huge difference.

But getting consistently sharp images isn’t always about having the latest and greatest gear. Often, it comes down to getting a few key things right when you’re behind the camera.

In my latest blog, I share 5 simple steps that can help you achieve sharper bird images in the field.

That said, not every successful photograph needs to be razor sharp. Sometimes a little softness, movement or blur can be exactly what tells the story.

Sharpness is important, but it’s never more important than the image itself.

https://www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz/blog/post/165521/5-tips-to-get-sharper-photos-every-time/

10/08/2026

Look beyond the bird.

When I’m out behind the camera photographing birds, one of the first things I look at isn’t the bird, it’s the background.

A good background can make all the difference, helping separate the subject and really allowing an image to stand out.

This image of a Kōtare (Kingfisher) was taken at home during a relatively dry period, when the paddocks behind had browned off beautifully. The warm, golden tones created a natural backdrop that complemented the golden colours within the Kingfisher perfectly.

Sometimes, the background is just as important as the bird itself. 📷

www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz

07/08/2026

The difference between a good photograph and a memorable one is often the light.

Don’t just accept the first angle you see. Walk around your subject, watch how the light changes, and let it guide your composition.

Front light, side light, and backlight each tell a different story.

The more you learn to see light, the more your photography will evolve. Light isn’t just there to illuminate your subject, it’s there to create emotion.

Want to learn more? You can find more tips and tricks on my website blog.

https://www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz/blog/

Hi I’m John an award-winning wildlife photographer and founder of Maddox Photography NZ. With a deep passion for birds and wild places, my work captures the soul of Aotearoa’s native birds. Bespoke birding tours available.

03/08/2026

Who doesn’t dream of capturing a beautiful image of New Zealand’s iconic Morepork (Ruru)? 🦉

These majestic native owls are one of our most captivating birds, and photographing them in their natural habitat is an experience you’ll never forget. From their piercing golden eyes to their silent flight through the forest, every encounter is truly special.

My Morepork Photography Tours will be restarting a little later this year!

If photographing a Ruru has been on your bucket list, why not join me for an unforgettable day out.

With only a limited number of tours and small group sizes available throughout the year, spots fill quickly.

https://www.maddoxphotographynz.co.nz/morepork-workshops/