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On the wild West Coast, the still and silent Lake Mapourika exists as a link to an ancient time of glaciers. Here, Stephan endured a storm of sandflies to capture a quintessential West Coast moment; dark waters, dense bush and solitude.

All the colours of Fiordland appearing in rich detail. On the Gulliver River in Fiordland, Stephan uses a longer exposure to create an opportunity for us to see what would normally flash past in a moment. The pristine water of the Gulliver River cascades its way through Fiordland National Park before meeting the Cleddau River and flowing into Piopiotahi/Milford Sound.

From atop the sharp, jagged and snowy ridgeline of The Remarkables, a gentler sight is revealed below. Lake Wakatipu, the township of Queenstown and the Kawarau River are captured in the soft light of the afternoon sun. The immense Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance is also visible from this incredible vantage point.

Sunrise on a curious collection of boulders at Koekohe Beach, Otago. The Moeraki Boulders is a famed tourist attraction, but here, Stephan presents the boulders in a moment of early morning quiet. A stunning long exposure brings the breaking light, the ocean and the perfectly shaped boulders together into one beautiful image.

An old fishing hut near Falls Dam takes pride of place amongst the vast Maniototo Plain in Central Otago. The Maniototo is a vast and alluring landscape. From a carpet of golden tussocks to the clear, blue skies of the high country, Stephan captures the area’s range of vivid colours and contrasts.

A rare moment of serene and calm on Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's third-largest lake. From Meiklejohn's Bay, Stephan savours a moment of stillness with a long exposure to capture the evening sunset before the last of the day's colours fades behind the mountains.

A serene and reflective moment on Lake Lochie where the line between forest and water is unknown. Lake Lochie is found deep within Fiordland National Park, where myriad hues of green blanket the landscape. Here, Stephans powerful camera captures the subtle variation of each tiny hue. Lake Lochie received three Bronze Medals at the 2022 OneEyeland Photography Awards.

An aerial photographic expedition into Fiordland results in a breathtaking capture of Kaipo Wall. Only from high above can the heartstopping scale of Kaipo's sheer, 1300-metre rock wall be appreciated. Located on the jagged flanks of Mt Tūtoko, Kaipo Wall is a location revered and respected by serious mountain climbers.

Sunrise at Tokata, the iconic lighthouse at Nugget Point along the wild southern coastline. In an area renowned for wild weather, ‘the nuggets’ are caught in a quiet moment. The perfect sunrise gives an opportunity to capture the lighthouse, the walking track, the rocks and the vast Southern Ocean stretching out into the distance.

The distinctive horseshoe-shaped Lake Paringa captured on a classic wet and misty West Coast day. A five-minute exposure appears to make the rain disappear, drawing the eye to the dark, deep waters of the lake.

Deep in the Westland World Heritage Area and not far from the Gates of Haast, a hidden world of waterfalls and chasms is unveiled. Getting off the beaten track, Stephan captures Wilson Creek Chasm; a spectacular sight with its sheer, moss-covered walls sheltering a tranquil blue-green pool below. Here, everything comes together perfectly to catch a hidden West Coast sight that very few get to see.

Along the picturesque Lake Marian Track in Fiordland, Stephan veers off-track to capture a panorama of Marian Creek Falls. As the crystal-clear water tumbles its way from Lake Marian to the Hollyford River, Stephan uses a six-stage setup and long exposure to steal a frozen moment of the fast-flowing water.

Sam Summers Hut has stood on this location for nearly 100 years, bearing witness to the Wakatipu’s heady gold rush days. Here, Stephan captures this historic hut sitting serenely within the landscape along the Mt Crichton Loop Track.

A silent sunrise over the waters of Kuramea in the Catlins. Kuramea is fed by the Catlins River, and in this area abundant with wildlife, it is no surprise to see a handful of wetlands birds perched on the remnants of an old jetty.

Hidden away in the Catlins, along the southern coast of the South Island, Koropuku Falls is a spectacular sight hidden deep in the bush. Stephan took a 40-minute hike off the beaten track to capture this beautiful waterfall and its perfect curtain of water.

The Ailsa Mountains sit within Fiordland National Park nestled between the Humboldts and the Earl Mountains, not far from the famed Greenstone and Caples Tracks. While the area is a haven for hikers and mountaineers, there are only a lucky few who will cast their eyes upon the peaks of Ailsa from this vantage point.

Deep within Mt Aspiring National Park, a scene of rich greens and lush growth is uncovered. The depth and vibrancy of the landscapes along the Routeburn Track is captured here in this location near Glenorchy. A shot of sunlight penetrates through the forest to illuminate the varying hues of green.

Capturing the essence of an alpine environment. From atop Mt Alfred, the spectacular sight of the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps meeting the braided river valleys plays out far below.

A long exposure turns the rushing waters of McLean Falls into a hazy spectre. In contrast, the vibrancy of the green moss is captured in sharp focus. From an expedition through the Catlins, Stephan captures this powerful yet somehow peaceful setting.

The sharp outline of a native beech tree is contrasted against the mist of Devil’s Punchbowl Falls in the background. Cascading down 131 metres, Devil’s Punchbowl is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Arthur’s Pass district.

Glacial debris from Hooker Glacier litters Hooker Lake in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Here, the retreating Hooker Glacier has carved a fascinating landscape of rock, ice, and turquoise water—and the occasional alpine speargrass plant.

The iconic Irishman Creek Roadman's Hut lies nestled within the vast landscape of Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand's South Island. Evoking a sense of nostalgia and adventure, the hut stands as a reminder of bygone days, yet still welcomes travellers into its cosy setting. Stephan captures a quiet moment as the sun sets over this iconic Mackenzie Basin scene.

One of New Zealand's most picturesque settings is Lake Matheson, famous for the perfect reflections which appear on the lake – but only on a calm day. Here, Stephan's patience is rewarded and he captures a perfectly synchronised moment. The Southern Alps appear in the distance – once in real life and once as a reflection — and the viewer may question which one is which.

Close to New Zealand's most famous peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Graham Saddle connects the vast Chamberlin Snowfield with The Minarets. Seemingly endless layers of saddles and peaks are the hallmark of the Southern Alps, and it is only when seen from the air can we get a sense of just how vast it is.