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Every story deserves its own treatment.

What I bring is sixteen+ years of deep listening, cross-cultural craft, and the technical and emotional fluency to help what matters become visible. All engagements begin with a conversation, in-person or at least a video call to get to know one another. From there, if it’s a worthy match, we shape the story and/or purpose together.

What we can create together

Visual storytelling & documentation Photography, film, and audio that honours context and moves people. Whether it's a community initiative, an environmental kaupapa, an event, or an organisational story - I document with care, from the relationships and intention behind the work to the moments that carry it forward. Deliverables are shaped to your needs, not a fixed formula.

Facilitation & speaking Participatory workshops, keynote speaking, and guided sessions drawing on systems thinking, cross-cultural storytelling, and lived experience. Suitable for teams, conferences, retreats, and hui - from intimate gatherings to large-scale events.

Storytelling training & co-production Building storytelling capacity - technically and emotionally - with individuals or whole teams. Whether you're a founder finding your voice, a communications lead wanting sharper tools, or an organisation ready to tell its own stories with confidence. From story canvas development to hands-on production support.

Investment

Every project is scoped through conversation. As a guide:

  • On-site hourly rate (filming, photographing, speaking): NZD $220 / USD $125

  • Off-site hourly rate (creating, editing, post-production): NZD $165 / USD $95

  • Full-day (up to 8 hours) photography including editing: NZD $2,100 / USD 1,200

  • Half-day (up to 4 hours) photography including editing: NZD $1,050 / USD 600

  • One Photographer All-Day Wedding: NZD $2,750 (Aotearoa NZ only)

    Includes one photographer within Waitaha/Canterbury covering everything from getting ready to the end of formalities (such as the first dance). Includes a pre-wedding meeting, no image count limit, and digital delivery. $600 deposit required.

  • Two Photographers All-Day Wedding: NZD $3,950 (Aotearoa NZ only)

    Includes two photographers for the whole day under the same conditions - getting ready to the end of formalities, pre-wedding meeting, unlimited images, digital delivery. $600 deposit required.

  • Organisational & brand storytelling (video portfolio): from NZD $4,000 / USD $2,400 (Aotearoa NZ only)

  • Multi-day documentation and video storytelling: please inquire

  • Facilitation, speaking & storytelling training: every engagement is shaped to the purpose, people, and context.
    Please reach out to talk - email and intro call booking below.

Travel within Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, where I am currently based, is included.

Beyond that, we discuss and agree together. 🙂

Rates updated Sep 2026.

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Accessibility

For non-profits, charitable trusts, and grassroots organisations doing people and planet-serving mahi (work) with limited resources - let's connect. Flexibility and finding common ground is possible where the kaupapa (purpose) is aligned.

Start with a conversation.

Book an introductory call using the calendar below - no obligation, no pitch. Just two people figuring out if this is the right fit.

Or reach out directly: contact@subtledream.com

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A smiling man with dark hair pulled back, wearing a floral shirt and accessories, sitting at a wooden table in a contemporary indoor setting.
A woman with dark blue hair holding a microphone and phone, speaking on stage with a dark background.
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“Kai delivers beautiful and impactful storytelling work. His care and motivation shine through, whilst his personal approach makes him a wonderful person to work with. Kai’s passion for supporting projects with a for-purpose mission is equally complemented by his creativity in telling their story.”
— Luisa Z., Aotearoa NZ/Australia

Book an introductory call

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