Spencer & Gillespie was founded on our mutual love for photography and our awe-inspiring New Zealand scenery. Andrew Spencer and Rachel Gillespie met through photography in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. Both were captivated by the majestic mountains, serene lakes, and rolling hills that define the region. Their mutual admiration for the natural beauty around them quickly became a collaborative journey to capture and share these stunning vistas.
Andrew and Rachel bring their unique perspectives and skills to every project, creating a dynamic partnership that enhances their individual strengths. Together, they explore the far reaches of New Zealand, from the rugged coastlines to the tranquil forests, always striving to capture the perfect shot that tells a story and evokes emotion.


Rachel Gillespie
Rachel Gillespie runs an accredited full-time Guiding and Tourism Photography Business roaming the length and breadth of the South Island. Born and bred in Levels, South Canterbury, she has spent much of her life in the Mackenzie and Kaikoura. With a great passion for landscape photography, she is an excellent guide who can lead you to even more magical places than ever imagined.
Astrophotography is also a great love of hers, and she is a wholehearted advocate for the Aoraki Mount Cook Dark Sky Reserve and running focused astro workshops. She thoroughly enjoys supporting people in mastering the fundamentals of landscape photography and getting results they’re happy with. She is always up for some great adventures along the way!
She is least known for her commercial work; however, she undertakes a wide variety of projects for businesses, guides walks for cruise ship customers and private agents, holistic business portraits for yoga instructors and spiritual teachers, capturing their essence, licences images to various corporate clients and shoots one off multirow panoramas for things like wallpaper and kitchens. It provides a varied and mixed business!
She is a busy mum of three teens and a single parent. She and her partner, Andrew, drive the miles between Kaikoura and Timaru, where she is based. Fortunately, they both love photography, which affords them many adventures along the way, the privilege of sharing it with others, and the opportunity to live a life they love.


Andrew Spencer
Andrew Spencer embarked on his photography journey at the tender age of 8, when his mum gifted him a toy Diana camera for Christmas. This seemingly simple present ignited a lifelong passion for capturing moments. From his teens to his twenties, his interest in photography may have waxed and waned, but his camera was always within arm’s reach, ready to capture the world as he saw it.
Since 2000, Andrew has been a professional photographer specialising in weddings, portraits, commercial projects, and real estate. His love for landscape photography has always been a constant source of inspiration. He is invested in an extensive range of modern photo and video production equipment to meet his clients’ diverse needs.
From the early days, Andrew realized photography was more than a hobby. It was a way for him to connect with people, learn their stories, and capture their essence. This is what sparked his love for portrait photography. The world of image-making is vast and ever-evolving, and he is committed to staying at the forefront. He regularly attends workshops and training courses, always eager to learn and experiment with new techniques, often surprising himself with the results.
Andrew approaches photography passionately and professionally, cherishing every process step—from conception to creation to capture.
Outside of photography, Andrew enjoys music, cycling in the beautiful New Zealand outdoors, spending time with Rachel, and cherishing moments with his daughters and granddaughters. And interestingly, the Diana cameras made a comeback and became a cult favourite!
Our Services
Andrew and Rachel provide a diverse array of professional photography services, tailored to meet your specific needs and capture your vision perfectly.
- Fine Art Prints
- Custom Print Sizes
- Portrait Photography
- Wedding Photography
- Commercial Photography
- Videography
- Licensing of Images
- Photography Workshops
Andrew and Rachel form a dynamic duo combining technical expertise, artistic vision, and a profound appreciation for New Zealand’s natural beauty. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a stunning portfolio that inspires and captivates.