Laura’s family shoot

Last week, I had the absolute treat of visiting Laura MacDonald at her Te Akau lifestyle block in Waikato. If you don’t know Laura, she’s the face behind Kiwi Country Girl—a blogger, Instagram influencer, and all-around legend with 30K followers. She shares everything from raising her country kids to simple, delicious family recipes, garden hacks, and life on the farm. Oh, and she even runs a homesteading membership community. Talk about doing it all!

The goal of my visit? To capture the heart of Laura’s life through my lens. As a Hamilton and Waikato family photographer, I love photographing families in spaces that truly reflect who they are—and Laura’s lifestyle block was perfection.

Te Akau is one of those places that feels like a postcard come to life, and Laura’s farm fits right in. Between the lush green paddocks, charming garden beds, and kids running around their nature-filled playground, every inch of it radiates love and care. You can see how much passion Laura pours into her family, her land, and her way of life.

The photos we captured tell that story. They show the connection Laura has with her family, the land, and the joy of slowing down and embracing country living. Honestly, it’s contagious.

If you haven’t checked out Laura’s blog or Instagram yet, do it! Her family-friendly recipes (so good and easy), garden tips, and homesteading advice are packed with inspiration. Her membership community is perfect if you’re dreaming of a self-sufficient lifestyle. She’s proof that country life is full of heart, flavor, and meaning—and it’s all about embracing the simple joys