Organisation & Role
University of Otago
Producer, Brand Content
Key Deliverables
Event Documentation
Photography Production
Time-lapse Content Creation
Place-based Brand Storytelling
Capturing the Southern Lights above the University of Otago through photography, videography and time-lapse. There is something truly grounding about seeing the Aurora Australis dance above the skyline of the University of Otago. This year I had the privilege of capturing not just one but two remarkable aurora events here in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Both were viewed from the same location, above the University’s iconic Clocktower Building.
2 January 2025: A New Year Under the Lights
In the early hours of 2 January, between 1am and 3am, the night sky delivered a spectacular welcome to the new year. A vibrant wave of colour spread across the southern horizon as the Aurora Australis shimmered above campus.
Framed by the University’s most recognisable landmark, the Clocktower, this moment became the beginning of a new personal project focused on capturing Otago’s unique atmosphere after dark. I used a combination of long-exposure photography, atmospheric videography and time-lapse techniques to document the experience in a way that brings viewers into the scene.
1 June 2025: A Winter Surprise
The second aurora arrived unexpectedly on the evening of 1 June. Between 6.18pm and 7.30pm, the lights returned, painting the midwinter sky in soft pinks and greens. I happened to be walking near campus when I noticed the glow and quickly set up to capture it.
This night offered a new creative challenge. I worked with faster time-lapse intervals, ambient audio and low-light transitions. The resulting content became a quiet counterpoint to the New Year footage, highlighting how seasonal shifts shape the character of our southern skies.
Creative Purpose and Practice
In my role as Producer of Brand Content at the University of Otago, I lead large-scale storytelling projects that align with the University’s strategic goals. Alongside this work, I am committed to developing creative projects that explore the identity of Otago through light, time and place.
These aurora recordings are part of that ongoing work. They represent an opportunity to combine technical craft with artistic exploration, and to contribute to the visual narrative of the University in an authentic way.
- Each project drew on a distinct blend of tools and techniques:
- Photography using long-exposure settings to reveal colour and detail without losing natural shadow
- Videography capturing subtle movement and night-time ambience suitable for multi-platform publishing
- Time-lapse sequences created with professional camera rigs to show the transition from daylight to night sky
Bringing Otago to Life After Dark
These aurora events reflect the beauty of our region and our deep connection to the natural environment. They show another side of the University of Otago. This is a place where academic life meets the rhythms of the natural world, and where moments of stillness can inspire powerful storytelling.
Whether you are a future student, a graduate or someone who simply enjoys the beauty of light and landscape, I hope this work offers a fresh perspective on life at Otago. From summer evenings to midwinter nights, the skies above our campus are always full of possibility.
