Wanaka Photographer Honoured
Wanaka based photographer Gilbert van Reenen of Clean Green Images Ltd, has recently been awarded a merit in the
prestigious 2003 Kodak Gold Awards. Speaking from Wanaka yesterday van Reenen said he was both honoured and surprised at
the silver award. His prizewinning image was of a jubilant wedding party at Rippon vineyard near Lake Wanaka in January.
van Reenen was the only professional photographer from Otago and Southland to receive the award this year.
The Kodak Gold Awards is an international programme run in both Europe and the United States, which recognises the
highest level of creativity and quality in Professional Photography. Due to the very high standard offered by New
Zealand Professional Wedding and Portrait Photographers Kodak introduced their Kodak Gold Awards Programme to New
Zealand in 1997.
Spokesman for Kodak New Zealand, Mr Ken Goody of Auckland, said that a huge number of entries of an extremely high
standard were received this year. He explained that the awards reward excellence in imaging and are therefore a great
help in assisting customers to select a suitably qualified Professional Photographer who can offer that creative
difference when capturing a special moment forever.
Gilbert van Reenen is probably better known for his stunning landscape images of Central Otago than for wedding
photography. He accepts only a few wedding commissions each year. Those invariably use the Central Otago landscapes as a
backdrop for the location shots. He regularly uses a helicopter to transport the wedding party to a breathtaking
location.
He has had several successful solo exhibitions of his work and regularly undertakes commercial assignments for a range
of publications and other clients. His archival art prints can be found in collections throughout the world.
Professional photography is a second career for van Reenen who is also a veterinary scientist and an active member of
the Otago Conservation Board. He lives near Wanaka with his wife Robyn who is a well known fabric artist. van Reenen is
currently working on a book of his distinctive Otago images.