Photographer captures awards

Jeremy Ward's winning action photo of the year.

Photographer Jeremy Ward has been known to go to great heights to get the best shot, including taking a cherry picker to Huntly Speedway.

The award winning photogapher, who owns and photographs for Shot360 Photography, was recently named Speedway New Zealand Photographer of the Year. He was also awarded Action Photo of the Year. He has won both awards in previous years.

Mr Ward has been covering events full-time for the past seven years, and when he's not chasing hydroplanes in a helicopter, he has been known to take a cherry picker to events.

"It is just capturing that different angle. I knew there were other photographers shooting there and I wanted to get something different."

Mr Ward believes having a good knowledge of the sport is key. "It is about anticipating action really and knowing when something is going to happen. The big thing I believe is knowing the sport you are covering as an event photographer. Even knowing who everyone is a big help. If I can see that person at the grid at the start isn't a very good driver, chances are everyone is going to try and get past him, that is when something is going to happen."

The awards came as a surprise to Mr Ward, who said he was the only finalist who didn't attend the evening.

His winning shot was one from a feature race.

"[It was] quite an important race and this guy was starting at the back but he is one of the top runners, normally he would be at the front. But he was on a charge, flying around the outside of everyone, someone went to wide and it was all over."

His photography started young, both his grandfather and father were photographers, meaning no shortage of gear to borrow.

"It started when I was younger with the hydroplanes. I used to take my Dad's camera to the boats with the film, muck it all up, have to wait all year to practice again."