Wanaka photographer Richard Young is garnering national attention.

The acclaimed photographer had a dual victory at the New Zealand Geographic Photography Awards recently, winning both the landscape and wildlife categories.

Richard told The Outlet  he started his photography journey more than two decades ago in the darkroom, honing his craft on film which laid a strong foundation in technical skills

Transitioning to digital photography, he has embraced new techniques while maintaining the essence of his artistic vision.

“My first photography was on film and I’ve now been photographing the New Zealand landscape for over 20 years and over this time my approach to it has changed but its always kind of been defined by my connection with nature.’’

He entered very few competitions, as he was “picky’’ about entering those that allowed too much overprocessing of images.

The New Zealand Geographic awards had strict criteria and acknowledged creative photography, he said.

The win was not just a personal achievement but a testament to competitions that value diverse photography styles beyond the typical grand vistas.

“It was a real honour to win both these awards [landscape and wildlife] the same year.’’

Richard's style has evolved over time, shifting from goal-oriented photography to a more expressive and storytelling approach. 

This transformation has allowed him to connect deeply with the landscapes he photographs.

Hear more about Richard's work and his New Zealand Geographic Photography win this week's edition of The Outlet