Nau mai, haere mai! Welcome.

I’m Kai - a visual storyteller and founder of Subtledream Productions, partnering with changemakers to amplify voices and reveal connections through story. My lens weaves people, place, and purpose into images, films, and writings that help visions take root and reach wider audiences.

Crafting Stories with Heart and Purpose

Every organisation with a clear kaupapa (purpose, principle) carries a story that can inspire. Since 2009, Subtledream has helped values-driven individuals, communities, and enterprises bring their visions to life through authentic, visually compelling storytelling. More than content creation, it’s about connection.

Your Mission, My Focus

Whether you’re hosting a transformative event, launching an initiative, or growing your brand, I bring stories to life in ways that resonate deeply. Through photos, videos, interviews, and writing, I amplify the voices of those making a difference - creating narratives that engage, inspire, and endure.

Ngā mihi nui - grateful you have landed here.

What is my story?

Kia ora, 你好, greetings!

My journey with photography began at 13, when a simple digital camera became a bridge between technology, beauty, and memory. What started as curiosity grew into a calling - a way of noticing patterns, weaving people and ideas together, and catalyzing action through story. Over time, I’ve learned that storytelling is as much about unlearning who I thought I “should be” as it is about embracing who I am.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in California, I carry Cantonese whakapapa (ancestry) and experiences from life across Asia, the Americas, and now here in Aotearoa New Zealand, where I get to grow roots and committment. Each step has shown me that every project carries a thread - and when woven with care, those threads form whāriki (woven mats) of meaning that hold and uplift communities.

My mahi (work) has carried me from earthquake recovery in the mountains of Nepal, to supporting students in the jungles of Ecuador, photographing a wedding in the rolling hills of central Italy, to documenting food resilience in the community gardens of Aotearoa. Wherever the kaupapa (purpose), I bring deep listening, creative craft, and the clarity to help visions be seen, felt, and shared.

Outside the studio, I’m an outdoor wanderer, permaculture-minded systems thinker, and advocate for inner work. I take part in men’s groups where stories, emotions, and support are shared honestly and openly. These practices keep me grounded, curious, and connected to whenua (land), to each other, and to that subtle dream that I believe moves through us all.

In the nearly 3 decades of playing with cameras, I have dived into a diversity of subjects, shooting weddings, aerials, portraits, wildlife & nature, and the recent impactful work that you can find now on my portfolio page.

Why do people choose me?

• Seeing with Depth: I notice hidden connections between people, place, and purpose (kaupapa) and bring them to life with care and beauty.

• Weaving with Intention: I tailor each project to the uniqueness of its kaupapa (purpose) and community, ensuring stories feel authentic.

• Catalyzing with Impact: My mahi (work) doesn’t just document - it energizes, mobilizes, and helps projects grow into their next chapter.

• Sustainability & Integrity: Guided by permaculture, systems thinking, and Tangata Tiriti values, I align with values-based organisations.

• Artistry & Professionalism: Years of global storytelling have honed my balance of creative vision and technical excellence.

[— Soon: personal statement video will go here —]