Gain your picture-perfect future

Taught by recent Asia Pacific Photography gold award winner, Jess Shirley, the remote course allows ākonga to ‘call the shots’ as they take control of their own time management and produce a series of projects backed up with an explanation that highlights the techniques portrayed. 

Jess isn’t a stranger to winning awards, as she nabbed a series of them at the prestigious New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) Iris Awards in 2023.  At the same time, Jess was also nominated as a finalist for the 2023 Professional Illustrative Photographer of the Year.  

See this previous NMIT story(external link) for more details. 

At the Asia Pacific Photography Awards this year, Jess won the 2024 Animals and Nature category, receiving a gold award, she came third place runner up in the open category and was given a silver merit and three silver awards. 

“It felt so surreal to win my first Gold and be the Animal and Nature Category winner,” Jess says. “I have always felt that my work wasn't good enough (the old imposter syndrome), so to have it professionally recognised to this standard was such a confidence boost.”  

Jess enjoys teaching and loves using her comprehensive skill base to enable learners to gain the confidence and skills they need to produce work both for themselves and at an industry standard.  

“My students are able to see the elements that were assessed in my submissions and see the positives and the drawbacks in my photos, which I think supports their own growth,” she says.  

A graduate from NMIT’s Bachelor of Arts and Media herself, Jess creates an inclusive learning environment for her students, regardless of where they are in their learning journey. 

“Whether you’re continuing your tertiary studies or returning to study after a break, welcome to your next stage of learning,” she says.  

Jess teaches the online-based Level 5 Digital Photography Training Scheme at NMIT as well as courses in the Bachelor of Arts and Media. 

For more information about our photography courses, visit the NMIT website(external link).