New Zealand Landscape Salon

Formerly known as The Laurie Thomas Landscape Salon, this long-running competition boasts a rich legacy spanning 28 years of success. While the name Laurie Thomas Salon holds immediate recognition among PSNZ members, it may not resonate as strongly with other passionate New Zealand landscape photographers. The Salon's organisers, members from the Christchurch Photographic Society decided to rename the competition the New Zealand Landscape Salon and the premium award the Laurie Thomas Trophy.  As tradition dictates, the winner shall be awarded, and will keep, this distinctive sculptural trophy. We also offer a high-quality printed book for purchase, separate from the entry fee. You can view an online version of the 2024 book by navigating to the Results menu above.

If your camera has accompanied you in your “Adventures in Aotearoa” please join us in a celebration of our wonderful landscape by participating in the New Zealand Landscape Salon.

The New Zealand Landscape Salon has adopted the PSNZ definition for Landscape Photography

Photographs which capture a sense of 'space' and 'place' and tell a story of the scene before the camera. A landscape may combine elements such as land, sea, bodies of water and sky and may include human elements for scale and context but not to the extent that the human element becomes the prominent element.

What will the Judges be looking for?

The directive to the judging panel underscores a desire to honour photography that encapsulates an authentic sense of place. While we are open to a creative approach to this goal, we would like to encourage pure photography skills.  The Judges for 2025 are Irene Callaghan, Peter Robertson and Rachael Smith. View 2025 Judge profiles. 

Competition Rules 

Entrants must read the full set of Rules before entering the competition.  The full set of Rules are provided here.

How to Enter

There are three steps to enter the 2025 NZ Landscape Salon. 

1. Login to your Visual Pursuits account (if you've entered the competition previously) or Create a New Account.

2. Pay the competition entry fee via PayPal. Entries can only be uploaded after payment. 

3. Upload your Entries to the Competition.

You'll find a helpful guide to completing each step under the NZLS Support section of the navigation menu at the top of this page.

Entry Fee

Payment of the competition entry fee, using the PayPal platform, is required before entries can be uploaded.

The entry fee is $35 NZD and includes up to 4 digital entries.

The Laurie Thomas Trophy will be presented to the winner of the 2024 New Zealand Landscape Salon.