Flea (Felicity Witters), Photographer
By Helinor Stead
With a love for people born of years spent tour guiding the length and breadth of New Zealand with Kiwi Experience it was only natural that Kuaotunu based Felicity ‘Flea’ Witters should turn to photography to celebrate them.
‘I was in beautiful places every day and travelled with a diverse and colourful mix of interesting humans. I love photographing people and took my camera everywhere. What started as a hobby while living a life on the road eventually became my photography business.’
Flea’s work for commercial clients and loved up couples takes her all over the country, but with an understandable passion for our own backyard she also has a gallery of stock photography.
With 15 years in the business under her belt Flea shares a few details about life as a photographer in the Coromandel.
What’s inspiring you this year: My new mirrorless Canon R6 an exciting new addition to my camera collection! I felt inspired this year with Autumn colours, capturing some beautiful Autumn weddings and a photo shoot for River Valley Lodge on the Rangitikei River near Taihape. The autumn leaves were amazing. We also had them floating in our stream at home here in Kuaotunu. I took a photo of the leaves floating which was used as cover shot for the local Seagull Magazine in Whitianga.
What drives you to create: A passion for photography. I have always been a social person and love being around people so being able to take photos of people and life where I am is pretty cool. I also love interior design, architecture, art, colours etc so spend hours looking at magazines, Grand Design shows on TV and dreaming creative stuff.
Hot Water Beach photo supplied by Flea
What drives you to create: A passion for photography. I have always been a social person and love being around people so being able to take photos of people and life where I am is pretty cool. I also love interior design, architecture, art, colours etc so spend hours looking at magazines, Grand Design shows on TV and dreaming creative stuff.
What key point do you wish you had employed from the start?
I think at the start I was not valuing my creativity, and time well and often under charged clients to try to please. With photography there are so many hidden costs ( ie editing time and maintaining good quality gear) so you need to be realistic about what you need to charge. Offering a creative service is hard as sometimes people don’t view it as a business and don’t expect to pay like they would for say a plummer or an electrician.
I guess for me I just want a beautiful lifestyle and surround myself with good friends and family. I’m happiest in nature so feel very lucky to live in the bush on the Coromandel.
Cathedral Cove photo supplied by Flea
You can find Flea online here and here. Her instagram profiles are @adventures_fleaphotos, @felicityjeanphotography and @felicityjean_familyphotography. She lives nestled in the 'The Blue Fridge Valley' just north of Kuaotunu Village with her partner Tim, two lovely fat eels and a host of native birds.
Black & White wedding photo supplied by Flea