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Item Type: Role
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Related Agency
- City Engineer's Department
- Wellington Public Library
- Town Clerk's Department
- Corporate Communications
- Publication and Design
- City Photographer Open use collection
- WCC, Photographs by A K Bristow
- WCC, City Photographer's photographic transparency (35mm slide) library
- WCC, City Photographer's large format colour prints of photographs
- WCC, City Photographer's photographic portraits of Wellington City Councillors and Head of Departments
- WCC, City Photographer's photographic prints and negatives
- WCC, City Photographer's photographic negatives
- WCC, City Photographer's 35mm colour negative and prints of the 1996 Mobil Street Race
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City Photographer
Descriptive Data
Parallel NameCity Council PhotographerDate Range17 August 1970- 2017DescriptionThe City Photographer role grew out of an increased demand for photographic material being used to protect the Council against liability and for reporting purposes. A camera was purchased in 1936, for the use of Council Officers, as a more cost-effective means of creating photographic records for the Council. The camera was to be kept and used by a staff member of the Laboratory, Corporation Yard.
In 1949, a proposal was made to combine the photographic work undertaken by City Engineer's Department staff, specifically the Chief Surveyor, with the historical and record work of the library. The library had been collecting and creating photographs with a historical record focus for several years. The City Engineer's Department continued to take photographs for record-keeping purposes.
From circa 1957 photographs were taken for the Department on an ad hoc basis. In 1963 the role became was carried out from designated days, Wednesday to Friday, attached to the City Engineer's Department Clerical Office. In 1964, the photographer role was made full time, though the title City Photographer was never officially used. However, by February 1970 the 'City photographer' was being referred to in the Councilman and internal correspondence.
In June 1970 the position of City Council Photographer was first advertised. The role was officially identified as City Photographer and reported to the Town Clerk's Records Department (subsequently the Administration Branch).
From 1977-1983 any absences by the City Photographer were covered by Photonews Ltd. From April 1984 to October 1987, the position reported to the Printing and Binding Department of the Library, situated in Victoria Street next to the City Gallery.
In 1987 the role included many things at that time – photographing events and staff portraits and copying historic images for the Historic Librarian. The darkroom was used to process all the film and black and white printing.
The visual documenting of the city included City Gallery exhibitions, both local and international, lectures, the reconstruction of the Civic Square and other events and City infrastructure.
With the advances in presentation technology the City Photographer was often called on to provide images for visual presentations, working closely with the mayor and senior staff.
The team moved back into the Municipal Office Buildings (MOB) around 2003. Not long after they moved from using film cameras to digital, also using Photoshop to process images.
The photography team moved to Creative Services, Corporate Communications in 2014, then became Photography, Communications and Engagement in 2017. This changed again to Photography, Creative and Brand in 2019. The title of City Photographer came to be replaced by Team Leader, Photography around 2017. With the move to a different team came better working space in the CAB and the profile of the whole photography team was raised. Video production was added to the services. The team’s name changed to Visual Content, Creative and Brand 2021 and the title changed to match this, to Team Leader, Visual Content.
While there is no longer an official "City Photographer" members of the Visual Content team continue to cover council events and activities in both photographic and audiovisual recordings to document the wide range of functions Wellington City Council is involved in.
In 1949, a proposal was made to combine the photographic work undertaken by City Engineer's Department staff, specifically the Chief Surveyor, with the historical and record work of the library. The library had been collecting and creating photographs with a historical record focus for several years. The City Engineer's Department continued to take photographs for record-keeping purposes.
From circa 1957 photographs were taken for the Department on an ad hoc basis. In 1963 the role became was carried out from designated days, Wednesday to Friday, attached to the City Engineer's Department Clerical Office. In 1964, the photographer role was made full time, though the title City Photographer was never officially used. However, by February 1970 the 'City photographer' was being referred to in the Councilman and internal correspondence.
In June 1970 the position of City Council Photographer was first advertised. The role was officially identified as City Photographer and reported to the Town Clerk's Records Department (subsequently the Administration Branch).
From 1977-1983 any absences by the City Photographer were covered by Photonews Ltd. From April 1984 to October 1987, the position reported to the Printing and Binding Department of the Library, situated in Victoria Street next to the City Gallery.
In 1987 the role included many things at that time – photographing events and staff portraits and copying historic images for the Historic Librarian. The darkroom was used to process all the film and black and white printing.
The visual documenting of the city included City Gallery exhibitions, both local and international, lectures, the reconstruction of the Civic Square and other events and City infrastructure.
With the advances in presentation technology the City Photographer was often called on to provide images for visual presentations, working closely with the mayor and senior staff.
The team moved back into the Municipal Office Buildings (MOB) around 2003. Not long after they moved from using film cameras to digital, also using Photoshop to process images.
The photography team moved to Creative Services, Corporate Communications in 2014, then became Photography, Communications and Engagement in 2017. This changed again to Photography, Creative and Brand in 2019. The title of City Photographer came to be replaced by Team Leader, Photography around 2017. With the move to a different team came better working space in the CAB and the profile of the whole photography team was raised. Video production was added to the services. The team’s name changed to Visual Content, Creative and Brand 2021 and the title changed to match this, to Team Leader, Visual Content.
While there is no longer an official "City Photographer" members of the Visual Content team continue to cover council events and activities in both photographic and audiovisual recordings to document the wide range of functions Wellington City Council is involved in.
Related People
Person in RoleH W Falkner
Related People
Person in RoleA K BristowDates in Role1951-1963
Related People
Person in RoleCyril W PascoeDates in Role1957 - 1970
Related People
Person in RoleFrank (Francis) ClarkDates in RoleAugust 1970 - November 1981
Related People
Person in RoleCarol KnoxDates in RoleNov 1981- Aug 1985
Related People
Person in RoleKaren AngusDates in RoleAugust 1985 - June 1986
Related People
Person in RoleNeil PriceDates in RoleJune 1986-September 2022
Related Agency
Related AgencyCity Engineer's DepartmentRelationship Date Rangecirca 1920s - 1970
Related Agency
Related AgencyWellington Public LibraryRelationship Date Rangecirca 1950 - 1963
Related Agency
Related AgencyTown Clerk's DepartmentRelationship Date Range1970 - 1984
Related Agency
Related AgencyWellington Public LibraryRelationship Date RangeApril 1984 - October 1987
Related Agency
Related AgencyCorporate CommunicationsRelationship Date Range1994 - 2002
Related Agency
Related AgencyPublication and DesignRelationship Date Range2003 - 2013
Related Agency
Related AgencyCreative and BrandRelationship Date Range2018 -
Relationships
Related SeriesCity Photographer Open use collectionWCC, Photographs by A K BristowWCC, City Photographer's photographic transparency (35mm slide) libraryWCC, City Photographer's large format colour prints of photographsWCC, City Photographer's photographic portraits of Wellington City Councillors and Head of DepartmentsWCC, City Photographer's photographic prints and negativesWCC, City Photographer's photographic negativesWCC, City Photographer's 35mm colour negative and prints of the 1996 Mobil Street Race
City Photographer. Archives Online, accessed 18/11/2025, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/121779