Photography
Explore the library collection of digital images, as well as resources on photography.
Photography lessons. 10 May 1982. © Christchurch Star. CCL-StarP-04799A
Christchurch Photo Hunt: 1 to 31 October 2025
The annual Christchurch Photo Hunt is on from 1 to 31 October. Share your photos old and new - and win Riverside Market vouchers!
Feather in your Capture - NZ Bird Photography Exhibition, part of a series
Apr 1st, All day
View selected works by award-winning local bird photographer Leanne Buchan.
Ans Westra: a life in Photography by Paul Moon
Tanya reports from the launch of "Ans Westra: a life in Photography" by Paul Moon, hosted by Massey University Press & Scorpio Books.
QUIZ: Photography
How much do you know about the early days of New Zealand photography? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
Christchurch Photo Hunt: 1 to 31 October 2025
The annual Christchurch Photo Hunt is on from 1 to 31 October. Share your photos old and new - and win Riverside Market vouchers!
Feather in your Capture - NZ Bird Photography Exhibition, part of a series
Apr 1st, All day
View selected works by award-winning local bird photographer Leanne Buchan.
Ans Westra: a life in Photography by Paul Moon
Tanya reports from the launch of "Ans Westra: a life in Photography" by Paul Moon, hosted by Massey University Press & Scorpio Books.
QUIZ: Photography
How much do you know about the early days of New Zealand photography? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
Photography
Our photograph collection
We have digitised early Christchurch and Canterbury images sourced from newspapers, archives, books, reports, donations and our own collections.
Finding images
Browse images by clicking through the various collections, or view our topics. We also have a large collection of heritage and contemporary Christchurch images on the Discovery Wall website, Canterbury Stories and our digitised archives.
To find specific images in our catalogue:
- search the library catalogue
- enter the specific term you are looking for (e.g. "elephants") and "photographs" in your keyword or subject search.
- From the results list refine your results by using the Form/Genre drop-down and selecting Photographs.
Topics
Our image topics include Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Square and the Cathedral, Christchurch city scenes, People and Christmas.
Local photographers
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral
Rescuing the Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral after it toppled over whilst being installed, 1983. An image from Canterbury Stories.
John Britten: Picturing Canterbury
Born in Christchurch in 1950, John Britten found fame as the designer of motorcycles. The Britten Museum opened Wednesday 18 February 2026.
Couloir Peak and Cameron Glacier: Picturing Canterbury
The Cameron River valley, Couloir Peak, and Cameron Glacier as seen from Ōtūroto Lake Heron, 2008. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Cousin’s Christmas photo with Santa Claus
Cousins Barbara Carswell and Winifred Boyd with Santa Claus at Beaths Toyland, 1953. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral
Rescuing the Christmas tree in ChristChurch Cathedral after it toppled over whilst being installed, 1983. An image from Canterbury Stories.
CINCH Community Information Christchurch
Search CINCH Community information Christchurch for photography.
