Johannes van Kan – A picture of success
For about 20 years, Johannes van Kan was a judge for the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography awards. This year, he challenged himself to enter. It paid off. He has just been named the 2026 Professional Wedding Photographer of the Year. Johannes talks to Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen about his life behind the lens.
What does it take to be a great wedding photographer? Who better to ask than the newly crowned NZIPP Iris Professional Wedding Photographer of the Year
Johannes van Kan.
For about 20 years, Christchurch-based Johannes was a judge for the Iris Awards, which are hosted by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP). This year, he put his own work up for assessment. It’s been a happy ending. Johannes took the title. Again. Throughout his career, he’s won this award several times already.
Known for his distinctive approach to wedding storytelling, as well as his work as an international judge and speaker, Johannes talks here about life as a wedding photographer.
Congratulations Johannes! Wedding photographer of the year. How do you feel about it?
I feel honoured and humbled. It has been a long time of not entering. I am a terrible entrant. Always just getting in by the deadline, seldom without some sort of issue. This year it took me nine days to print one image until I conceded to letting somebody else print it for me. I feel humbled because the other finalists, Nicola Wilhelmsen and Rochelle Withal, each had images that were very worthy of recognition. I also feel lucky to have the clients and spaces to photograph in that allowed me to create award-worthy images.
How long have you been a photographer and how did you come to specialise in weddings?
I became a wedding photographer because it fulfilled a need to be creative and to story-tell. I still love weddings after more than 30 years in the industry.
I pulled back from them for a while because of other healthy distractions in my life including a teenage daughter and building a house.
Is there a secret to taking a great photo?
My secret, because everybody has their own, is to enjoy what I am doing. Great photographs come from a positive approach to the moment.
Somebody once told me that if you love what you are doing as a photographer, then the results will shine better. This works particularly well in weddings because your passion and energy become infectious.
How did you find your style for wedding photography?
My style came from a blend of documentary and creative work. And an accident that happened at my first wedding. My camera tilted on my tripod (it was a rubbish tripod) and somehow framed an amazing image of the bridesmaids’ feet. I entered it into a competition, and it gave me a gold award. This was a defining moment where an accidental success triggered the need to prove that it was more than dumb luck.
Is wedding photography a full-time job for you? If not, what else do you do that we don’t know about?
I am a full-time photographer. Weddings are a part of my photographic portfolio. When people ask what I do, I say I photograph people, buildings, and sometimes both.
Wedding photography was once disrespected by ‘real’ photographers. Wedding photography is not easy. There are people to manage, there are schedules to keep, and there is a lot of flattery floating around, verbal and photographic. There are stories to be told. Sometimes they are obvious and sometimes they are secret.
Other recent projects that you have worked on?
I have been very fortunate to be the photographer for the rebuild of the Christchchurch Arts Centre. It was an extensive project with the freedom to be personally expressive.
I am currently working with the rebuild of the museum. These two projects have nurtured an interest in construction photography. I also was a finalist in the commercial category of the NZIPP awards with some of my architectural work.
Best and worst thing about going to so many weddings? Do you get to sit down and eat?
Since you ask about food. It is not an expectation, but it is a courtesy. A well-fed photographer is a happy photographer. A happy photographer takes better photographs. The worst thing about too many weddings is losing your weekends. The best thing about weddings is the rollercoaster of emotions through the day. I really love the helicopter rides every now and then. The other best thing is when clients love what you have done for them.
For more about Johannes van Kan, go to www.jvk.co.nz
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Quick fire questions:
How often do you take a selfie?
Not a selfie kind of guy.
The craziest wedding you’ve photographed?
There was one in Hokitika where the bride’s mother rang me at 11 in the morning, very upset. She said, ‘The wedding was ruined!’ (The day was just starting.) I asked what was wrong, expecting that the groom might have done a runner or some other (Greek) tragedy. She said, ‘It’s raining!’ (It was the West Coast.) I replied that my assistant and I would see what we could do about stopping the rain. She was relieved and felt better. By 2pm we had managed to stop the rain (thank goodness).
Any bridezilla moments?
I don’t see them so much as bridezilla, more like big expressions of personal feeling sometimes under duress.
Favourite Christchurch coffee spot?
A sensitive question. The coffee must be strong and well made. Apart from that, there are too many! C4, Rook, Authenticity, Addington Coffee Co-op, Embassy, Lyttelton Coffee Co and some others.
Favourite local location for a wedding?
I really like The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū for a good wedding and The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora has a special place in my heart, but I also like unusual places that mean something to the bride and groom. It adds another layer to the story I get to tell about who they are.
