Esther Bunning’s whimsical style of photographing people may be rooted in her own childhood. She grew up on a dairy farm in Taranaki. Three younger sisters allowed a very shy but creative Esther to stage fairy tale adventures, with little princesses streaking on horseback through spooky pine forests. ``I remember picnics, blackberry picking and making huts under hedges – I never had trouble filling my time.’’ Her love of atmospheric outdoor portraiture is surely a throwback to this rural dream world. Esther prefers to surround people with things that make them laugh, express and move, and her colour work is unconventional, taking images of children into the realms of art. Subtle shifts of colour, from monochromatic to modern brights reflect her subjects. Her portraits may have soft lines, chalky hues and misty enigma, or bright pops of colour to show humour and energy. Esther is a Fellow of the NZIPP, New Zealand, and has won many awards for her work.