A Photographer’s Story

Meet Ilan Wittenberg

The heart and soul behind Wow Photography, where passion meets artistry to create timeless portraits that tell your unique story. An international, award-winning photographer, Ilan has been honoured as Auckland Photographer of the Year in 2015, 2016,2018, 2020, and 2021, and a Fellow of the Photographic Society of New Zealand. His acclaimed work includes evocative portfolios and solo exhibitions. 

His work has captivated audiences at prestigious photo festivals earning global recognition. Ilan’s journey to a celebrated portrait photographer is a testament to his creative spirit. His professionalism shines through in every session, delivering stunning family portraits, corporate headshots, newborn, maternity, and pet photography with meticulous attention to detail. Clients rave about his ability to make them feel at ease, with reviews highlighting his warmth, humour, and knack for capturing authentic moments. His innovative approach, blending creative editorial and classic styles, ensures each image is a work of art, crafted to evoke emotion and stand the test of time

Whether it’s getting smiles from shy children or transforming corporate headshots into striking visuals, Ilan’s infectious enthusiasm and personalized approach make every shoot a joy. At Wow Photography, we understand that a photoshoot can feel daunting, but we’re here to make it a seamless, enjoyable, and memorable experience.Ilanpromises not just photos, butcherished memories that move, touch, and inspire. Let Ilan’scapture your story with the samepassion and excellence that have made him a trusted name in Auckland and beyond. You’ll experience a stress-free process, creative, and deeply rewarding, resulting in portraits that capture your unique story and bring joy for years to come

About Ilan Wittenberg

Titles and Milestones

  • 2024 Semi-Finalist at the Head On Photo Festival, Landscape category
  • 2023 Winner of the Monochrome category at the North Shore National Salon
  • Finalist Editorial category – Sony Alpha Awards
  • 2022 Winner of the Scapes category at the North Shore National Salon
  • 2021 Auckland Photographer of the Year
  • 2021 Nature Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2020 Auckland Photographer of the Year – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Editorial Prize Winner – Sony Alpha Awards
  • Finalist at the 2020 Iris Awards: In-Camera Portrait category – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Finalist at the 2020 Iris Awards: In-Camera Landscape category – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Finalist at the 2020 Iris Awards: Travel category – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Rise Photography Awards Finalist: Creative Category
  • 2018 Auckland Photographer of the Year – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2018 Grand Prize Winner – Sony Alpha Awards
  • 2018 Portrait Category Winner – Sony Alpha Awards
  • 2016 Auckland Photographer of the Year – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2016 Highest Scoring Print – Iris Awards – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2016 Travel Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2016 Portrait Classic Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2015 Documentary Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2015 Portrait Classic Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2014 Creative Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • 2014 Portrait Creative Photographer of the Year Finalist – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Master of Portrait Photography – The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
  • Fellow of the Photographic Society of New Zealand

As Seen On

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What Clients Are Saying

Christel P.
★★★★★
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Ilan to obtain professional photographs for my social media platforms. I am not photogenic. I do not like being photographed. Ilan had his work cut out with this project. Not only, did he meet with my expectat ions - he exceeded them. Thank you for your approach and for the high level of photos I could choose from and use as requested.
Leigh S.
★★★★★
Ilan took our family portrait and individual family photos. He was great to deal with, entertaining and really engaged our kids and our parents. Following the session Ilan offered a great range of options. The shots were natural from great angles and will be a treasured memory for years to come. Cheers Leigh.
Sarah Thompson
★★★★★
We had 2 family photoshoots with Ilan, first for our newborn baby and 2nd is for my husband's graduation. The photos always come out stunning and captures the beauty of the moment. Thank you for capturing those memorable moments for us, Ilan. You truly are a master of your craft!
Emma Wilson
★★★★★
It was such a pleasure to do our photo shoot with Ilan, he is simply not only the best photographer I have come across, but so professional in his approach – made the whole process so smooth and fun with his skills as a photographer and his humor and lovely personality at a personal level. Good studio facilities as well - simply the best!
James Carter
★★★★★
Ilan is an incredibly dedicated photographer, and it was an absolute pleasure working with him. He is completely committed to his craft and this shows in his approach to the planning and execution of the photoshoot session. He was really open to ideas and feedback, the biggest plus point was his encouragement on the day of the photoshoot which helped me give out great poses and add my own element to the photoshoot.
Rachel Brown
★★★★★
Ilan provided a brilliant experience for our family. We had a few reluctant models and he was great at putting everyone at ease and getting the best possible shots in an awesome location he chose for us. We were extremely pleased with the final results and have both a memory and a record of that memory for a lifetime. Thanks Ilan.
Michael Evans
★★★★★
An enjoyable experience at Ilan's studio. We love the portraits that he took for our family. Recommended. From the moment we first met Ilan we instantly warmed to his charisma. During the photo shoot Ilan was professional and caring and his work standards show very clearly with the results of our photos - clarity, colour and style!
Sophie Harris
★★★★★
Ilan is an extremely talented and professional photographer. I worked with Ilan as a model a few months back and found him to be very interesting and enthusiastic about creating unique pieces of art. I admire his commitment to his craft and that he puts so much thought into each and every shoot. Highly recommended.
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