People, Watching

A photographic portrait and interview series exploring attention, perspective, and urban presence in Ōtautahi

People, Watching is a kaupapa-led portrait series that unfolds through slow, guided walks around the city. Each session pairs a one-on-one walk with a photographic portrait session and in-depth kōrero. The project explores how we see, how we move, and what it means to be seen.

Each participant joins me for an observational walk through Ōtautahi. As we move together, I photograph them — sometimes candidly, sometimes posed — responding to the way they engage with the space and the visual textures that emerge. After the walk, we return to the studio for a formal portrait and a recorded interview. One portrait is selected per person, and the kōrero is edited into a written form.

The result is a layered portrait of Ōtautahi — not as a cityscape, but as a shared field of attention.
A triangulation of watching unfolds:

• The participant, watching the city

• Myself, watching the participant

• The viewer, watching the work

Each story includes:

• A formal studio portrait

• A curated set of walk-based images (candid and posed)

• An edited written kōrero

The project reflects on image-making, presence, and the emotional texture of being witnessed — both by others and by the city itself.

Interested in being part of people, watching?
I’ll be inviting participants through my networks and social channels. If you’re based in Ōtautahi and interested in being involved, I’d love to hear from you.

Contact me at hayley@provocationstation.com to learn more or express interest.