Interview with Moa Raud, New Zealand-based family photographer

I recently connected with Moa Raud, founder of Moa Raud Photo, so we decided to do a little interview to get to know each other better. Moa is a family photographer in Coromandel, NZ, with 8 years of experience. She believes photography is the closest thing we get to time travel, and I love that concept!

Her photos create time capsules, so you can revisit your most special memories forever. If you want photos that make you feel something, not just another perfect stock image, Moa is your photographer! Okay, let’s get to know more about Moa…

1. Tell me a bit about yourself and what made you start up your own business?

Hi! I’m Moa, a mum of two and family photographer based in Cooks beach on the Coromandel peninsula. After having two kids myself and feeling the heartbreak of this precious time going way too fast, I’ve become obsessed not only with capturing it for myself, but also helping other mums pause time. I see photography as a way to create a time capsule to come back to this moment again and again, and use a storytelling approach to capture real emotion and connection.

2. What is your specific photography approach?

I use a storytelling approach to document families through emotion and connection. I weave my sessions around activities, so if we’re at home we might be making pancakes or reading books on the couch, if we’re on the beach we might be making sand castles or having a picnic.

This allows me to step back and document genuine interactions, connection and in between moments, rather than posing the families and asking them to smile.

I also use a mix of digital and analog film photography, to create a nostalgic style. All of this lets me document the ordinary interactions and emotions of families, which is what really brings you back to the season you’re in.

3. Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own business?

I think my biggest lesson as a business owner is to follow what excites you, because doing that will give you so much energy and make work feel like play. Don’t start the business that will make money or go viral, start the business that makes you so excited you can’t stop thinking about it, and the creative flow will always be there to keep you going.

Once you have that initial excitement, and you just want to create create create, that’s when you need to carve out some of that creative space to learn the art of business. Look at others who have done it before, read books, listen to podcasts and take your time learning about how to run a business, because in the long run it’ll save you so much time and effort.

I’ve had my own business in one form or another since I was 14 years old, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think as women we are innately creative beings, and leaning into creativity has given me so much joy and freedom in life.

4. What are your top 3 pieces of advice on photography to elevate your business?

1. Stop trying to take perfect brand photos. In today’s world being professional and having perfect photos doesn’t count for much, but showing emotion and personality makes people stop. 

2. Get in the photo! A website or Instagram profile full of pretty photos of your product or service might look nice, but it’s your face and who you are that will make a future customer choose you over a competitor.

3. Play with perspective. My main method of telling a story through photos is to use different perspectives, and this is the same for brand photography - get really close for details, get far away to set the scene, get a photo from a client's perspective and one from your perspective.

5. What are your business goals and plans for the rest of the year?

The rest of the year I’m hoping to book a few more dream clients wanting to capture their families on film, and I’m working towards booking a few more weddings. I’m doing my first season capturing weddings this year, and I’m absolutely in love with getting to be part of the most precious celebrations of love.

Wrapping it up

So there you have it, a glimpse into Moa’s life as a family photographer.

I love getting to know talented, skilled creatives like Moa, whose work is totally kickass and creates real impact. I’m always up for meeting amazing creatives, so if you’re interested in doing a guest blog post swap or a collaboration, send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let’s have a chinwag.

About the guest gal:

Moa Raud is a New Zealand-based family and wedding photographer, capturing emotion and connection with a storytelling approach. She uses both analog and digital photography to create a nostalgic, authentic style.

Website: moaraudphoto.co.nz
Instagram: @moaraudphoto