'Spunky Critters' Exhibition by Shar Hays

Shar Hays is an artist and an award-winning professional photographer based here in Napier, New Zealand. Shar balances her work life with being a “ninja mother” to two very sporty and creative kids, who ground and inspire her to be the best role model she can be.

Shar strives to create unique work, and believes what makes her different are the essential values she holds “to ‘Enlight’ and ‘Enchant’! I believe it’s about making the effort to stand up, stand out, and create desired media that is treasured!”

With a background in graphic and web design, and illustration, Shar began pushing herself creatively with photography about 10 years ago.

Her illustration work is created in pencil, ink, and acrylic paints. All the photographic art pieces are created using photoshop, with 100% of the imagery used are her own photographs.

Shar has been awarded with various Gold, Silvers, and Bronzes at the NZIPP awards for her creative photography over the years and a ‘Best of Nation,’ 2019, for New Zealand at the World Photographic Cup. Her winning images all contained animals, highlighting her love for wildlife.

It is Shar’s hope that, through her work, she creates an awareness that all living creatures matter, they have personalities, feelings, and their own quirky attributes. She would love for people to see them in a different light, as innocent and individual little characters… and not take them for granted. She aims to only ever create uplifting and memorable images, and I intend always to photograph my subjects in a positive light that promotes these values.

“Through my creative art and this positive approach, I hope to encourage more kindness and empathy towards animals and innocent life.”