Hi, it's me!

Hey, I'm Lydia,

It’s not often you’ll find me in front of the camera, and honestly, I feel just as awkward over there as anyone! But I’m learning to take my own advice too: to exist in photos, even on the days I’m not feeling my best, and to remember that being in the frame is more important than looking perfect.

I’ve spent years helping people feel comfortable in front of my camera, and I’m slowly getting better at giving myself that same grace. Because I truly believe our families deserve to have photographs with us in them — not just the version of us we think is “photo ready”, but us, exactly as we are in this season of life.

I've been photographing people and working alongside Dad (Stew/Stewy) since 2006, so I've picked up plenty of tricks, tips and little things along the way. I'm also always learning, re-educating and looking for ways to keep improving. My photography style has changed A LOT over the years (you could say I’ve had a few eras), and thankfully, it’s improved 1000%, but one thing has never changed, my love for photography and especially the people I get to photograph.

Newborns, kids, families, maternity, births and weddings… basically anything that involves connection, stories and those huge, life-changing moments that you’ll want to remember forever.

I’m an award-winning photographer and hold a Master of Photography with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). I’m not one for tooting my own horn, but these achievements represent a lot of years of learning, hard work and pushing myself creatively, and they’re something I’m quietly very proud of. Being a part of the NZIPP whānau is something pretty magical, a community of the most incredible photographers supporting and cheering each other on, inspiring each other and raising the bar of photography in New Zealand. It’s pretty special to be part of it.

When I’m not behind the camera, life is pretty full-on but fun in this season with three kids who are my world, and challenge me on a daily basis, and have an after-school activity schedule that seems to have a life of its own! I spend what feels like half of my winter at the hockey turf - for them and myself.

I love spontaneous kitchen dance parties, anything brightly coloured and shiny, music, travelling, food and exploring with the whānau.

I’m also quite a crafty person so will have 765 partly started projects on the go at anytime, will they ever get finished? It’s a delicate situation.

A keen-but-not-always-successful gardener (tips are very welcome!)

And late at night, when I’m not glued to the computer working away, you’ll usually find me and hubby sitting on the floor with a background show while tackling Mount Washmore - anyone with kids I know you feel me, I’m an expert at turning relaxation into another activity.

Stewart or Stew, as he’ll usually introduce himself, is a Coaster born and bred, and the creator, dreamer and tireless backbone behind Nimmo Photography.

His love for the West Coast and its ever-changing landscape has been at the heart of his photography for decades. If you've spent any time in our gallery, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Originally trained as a surveyor, Dad spent years working outdoors around the Coast, along with a stint overseas, before returning to Greymouth with Mum (Edie) to raise their family. Even back then, he was rarely far from a camera, apparently a theodolite in one hand and a camera in the other was perfectly practical.

Eventually photography won.

After starting with a part-time studio, Dad made the leap into photography full-time and opened his first gallery in 2000, in what locals will remember as the old Becks building in town.

A few gallery moves and landscape collections and a lot of photographs later, you'll now find us and the gallery right here in the heart of Greymouth.

His love for the West Coast hasn't changed much along the way, nor has his fairly well-known “sure, why not, yes man” attitude.

Dad recently earned Master of Photography with Distinction with the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), adding the yellow ribbon to a pretty impressive collection of photographic awards earned over the years.

He's predominantly the landscape photographer of the two of us these days, but don't let that fool you, he's more than capable when pointed at people too. He's also the main photographer behind our commercial work and events, and if you've been to school in the area, there's a pretty good chance he's photographed you for school photos too.

When he's not behind the camera...

Dad has always been a huge family man. He loves spending time with his family and grandkids and is generally the first person to put his hand up when anyone needs help, big job, little job, or something that will somehow take up his entire Saturday. He’s there.

He’s also a big part of the local community and has a collection of interests almost as varied as the things he photographs. He’s involved with the Greymouth Heritage Trust, Cobden Anglican Church, Greymouth Camera Club and West Coast Vintage Car Club and, perhaps slightly unexpectedly, is also patron of the famous Kokatahi Band, which he’s enjoyed photographing for many years.

Basically, if there’s family around, someone who needs a hand, a camera, an old car, a bit of West Coast history or an adventure attached… there’s a pretty good chance Dad’s interested.