My first memories of Taupo

I was always excited about going fishing. I distinctly remember getting up early in the cool crisp morning air, and making our way down to the boat ramp in the dark. The time I got a fishhook stuck in my foot while playing darts in the garage is another enduring memory. Days out on the lake with my brother and father are now a family tradition, all of these years later.

As I grew older, we would make trips to Whakapapa to go skiing. I used to love traveling up Mt Ruapehu, it was such a different landscape to the coast and the fertile plains of Hawke’s Bay. It was also super exciting and a little daunting to visit and ski on a massive volcano.  Over the years I have traveled back there to shoot assignments and I still love this place. Magical bluebird days, fresh powder and hitting the slopes with friends are memories worth traveling back for time and time again.  

Another special memory for me is searching for hot springs. If you have ever visited Taupo, you will notice steam coming from the ground throughout the region. It is cool exploring and finding thermal gems hidden away. There is nothing quite like sitting in a hot stream in the lush native New Zealand bush, and often we had the pool all to ourselves. 

Vaughan Brookfield specializes in international location and lifestyle photography producing cinematic images for global publications, corporations and advertising campaigns. Based out of Queenstown, New Zealand he commenced his career photographing the action and lifestyle of winter snow athletes but lurking behind that dynamic helicopter, snowboarding and outdoor adventure shooter is a sensitive, conceptual, location photographer. 

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