November last year, I got to shoot an event that—in a sense—is the biggest gig I've had. I've shot events for TV celebrities and sport stars before, but this one was even a bit more exciting. Briscoes, one of New Zealand's biggest retail stores, was celebrating their 150th birthday with a bang. It was not a mere dinner party for the staff, but also a fundraiser for Cure Kids to whom they have raised several millions of dollars in just the last few years. They auctioned out items such as a Manchester United shirt (signed by the whole team), beds and kitchen appliances, holidays to five-star hotels... And with a very skilled auctioneer on stage to complete the auctions, it was a really thrilling part of the evening!

But the cherry on top was that the Prime Minister was there to speak.* He was talking about the company and about politics—and boy, was his speech appreciated. People were seriously crying with laughter. I know it was caught on tape by a Californian dude I got to chat with later that night, and still hope I can find it one day.

*I don't know much about John Key's political views, so I can't welcome nor dismiss them. But as a small town girl, I'm allowing myself to become starstruck anyway.

On January 5th, 2012, I set my first foot in New Zealand, together with my two associates. We came with high hopes and motivation. We came with dreams of a life in which we could spend our time following our passions (without wearing winter coats). I wanted to try my wings and see if I could make it as a photographer. I knew that the odds were very high. But then again, that's when the return is the biggest. I tried for half a year without success... Building a network and making a name in a brand new country, is exactly as hard as it sounds. Then one day, I got a job offer at a place that had absolutely nothing to do with photography. Looking at my dwindling bank account - I was *this* close to give in.

But I was lucky enough to have a boyfriend who is a fellow freelancer and entrepreneur. He practically forbid me to take the job, after long nightly discussions, weighing the pros and cons. I promised him to try for a couple more weeks.

A week later, I got my first paid job. A month later, I was in the black. Not only was I employed as an event photographer, but I continuously got work through my own business as well.

I shot my first wedding. I had my first exhibition. It was all a beautiful adventure, and I loved every minute of it. This was way more than I could ever have expected, when I decided to move to the other side of the globe. To a country I knew nothing more about, than that they had cute birds with long, pointy beaks, and that the One Ring was born and destroyed there.

The second half of 2012 turned out to be the best part of my life, thus far.

And I have my own second half to thank for that.

Islands (Color Grade comparison)

Briscoes' 150th B-day Party

My 2012.