Storm chaser, nature lover and determined early-morning explorer, Kaitlin Groom has quickly built a name for herself with striking images of skies, storms and the quiet beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes.
Her photography journey began only a few years ago, yet her passion for wild weather, rare moments and the small wonders of nature has already taken her from late-night beach hunts for bioluminescence to award-winning recognition. In this interview, Kaitlin shares the stories behind her images, what keeps her inspired and where she hopes her camera will take her next.
What first pulled you into nature photography?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved nature and being out in it. As a kid I was always exploring, fascinated by everything around me. I knew early on that I wanted to capture the beauty of the natural world and share it with people who might never see it for themselves. I wanted my images to tell stories. That’s why I bought my first setup in March 2020, and I haven’t looked back since.
You recently won the climate category in the Nature Conservancy competition. What did that moment mean for you?
Winning the climate category was an amazing feeling, especially because storm chasing is one of my biggest passions and the thing that drives me most in photography. I’ve only ever entered four competitions, just for fun, but I think I’ll start taking part in more of them.
How did you end up photographing the bioluminescence along the Kāpiti Coast? What was that night like?
Capturing the bioluminescence on the Kāpiti Coast was quite a journey. Another photographer, Brendan Gully, and I had been going to the beach every night, only ever spotting tiny traces of it. We kept hoping it would build. One night it finally did. After weeks of waiting, we got the most incredible show. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment for both of us.
