They’re running against the serenity of a fur seal in repose and the elegant drama of a black swan, but local photographer Anne Webber is hoping for a show of artistic appreciation for her macro shot of a tiny pair of weevils caught in a rather compromising position.
Anne’s photo has been accepted as one of (would you believe) 69 finalists to the New Zealand Geographic’s Photographer of the Year competition, with her shot selected from more than 6000 entries. It is now up to the public to vote on their five favourites for the People’s Choice award.
The Lower Moutere resident is hoping that Tasman’s locals come out in force to support the in flagrante insects, which were discovered last summer while she was hunting for wētā during a photography mission to Golden Bay’s Kaihoka.
She does, however, acknowledge that weevils are not everyone’s cup of tea. “They’re a hard sell,” she laughs.
The People’s Choice is chosen across the competitions categories, which include Wildlife, Landscape, Society, Aerial, Built Environment, Adventure, Portrait, Astrophotography and Photo Story.
A zoologist by trade, Anne reckons that when it comes to photography subjects, she much prefers wildlife to humans. “People are too awkward,” she says – rather the opposite of the weevils, which paid her no heed at all. “They were still going when I left.”
To view the photographs and cast your votes, visit nzgeo.com/photography/photographer-of-the-year-2025-finalists.
