ABOUT LOU
Ocean photographer based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
I create immersive coastal imagery from Mount Maunganui, New Zealand; for brands, spaces, and those drawn to the sea.
Hi, I’m Lou. I’m a photographer drawn to wild places, but mostly the ocean.
I grew up in England and now live by the sea in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where I’ve spent much of the past decade photographing water in all its forms. Waves, strange colours, changing light, the surface of the sea when it looks like glass… basically all the things I can’t seem to stop noticing.
My work has taken me into the water, around New Zealand and further afield, and has been used by brands and publications including Condé Nast Traveller and Fujifilm.
Before photography became the centre of what I do, I spent more than a decade working in brand and content marketing. It means I look at photography from both sides: I care deeply about making something beautiful, but I also understand what an image needs to do once it leaves my camera.
A few things about me
I once lived in the jungle, sleeping in a bamboo hut and showering in waterfalls.
If I have the choice, I’ll always be barefoot.
I grew up in England but now call Aotearoa New Zealand home.
I’m obsessed with fantasy fiction. Give this gal fae, magic and an unnecessarily complicated fictional world and I’m happy.
Photographing from Mount Maunganui and beyond
Living by the sea in Mount Maunganui, I have access to over 16km of coastline, from dunes to rock pools and all the open ocean in between! I’ve spent years photographing Mauao and the surrounding coastline, with many of these images available as Mount Maunganui photography prints. And just a couple of hours across the island, the coastline changes completely into the volcanic black sands and wild sunsets of New Zealand’s west coast.
FROM THE COAST
Photography for brands that belong in the natural world
I work with brands to create original photography or license imagery from my existing archive. With an extensive background in brand and content marketing, I understand both sides of the brief from how an image should feel to how it needs to work commercially.
WORK WITH LOU
Image licensing
Photography commissions
Brand partnerships
SELECTED CLIENTS AND FEATURES
Trusted by brands and creative partners
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER“I had the pleasure of working with Lou Burton through her role as a Fujifilm brand ambassador, and she was an absolute standout. Lou organised several beautifully delivered photography workshops. We also worked together on a very successful global marketing project for Fujifilm. I would happily recommend Lou to anyone looking for a talented and professional creative collaborator.”
Jessie Maucor, Fujifilm