Capturing the magic - JAE'S ALL-TIME FAVOURITE STAR

He may not get starstruck, but the photographer was charmed by a dame

- Rebekah Hebenton

For almost 30 years, Jae Frew has been the man behind many of the stunning portraits of New Zealand’s favourite faces featured in the pages of the Weekly. From politicians to TV stars and even a Dame or two, he has done it all.

But as he reflects on his career, Jae admits working with superstar soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will stay with him for a long time.

“Dame Kiri is the closest thing we have to royalty in this country, in my opinion,” enthuses the 55-year-old. “She’s really good fun. I have the utmost respect for her and what she’s done in her career, and as a representative of Aotearoa. She’s such a giving person.”

While many would be starstruck meeting the likes of Jacinda Ardern or Sir Edmund Hillary, Jae learned early in his career that at the end of the day “we are all just people”.

“We have some really lovely people in this country to photograph, and by and large I’ve had some wonderful experiences working with them,” he says. “It’s been a real privilege to have them in front of my camera, but I’m never starstruck.

“I’ll be nervous in that I’ve got a job to do and I need to get the right image for whoever I’m working for. I always respect the person that I have in front of the camera because they’re giving me their time and trusting me to produce a lovely image.”