From the moment he received his photos back from the ‘one hour lab’ as a six year old, after saving up his pocket money to afford to process his first roll of film of a sunset shot out the car window while on a family holiday, Cory Scott was destined to follow his talent into the world of photography.
By age 13 his hobby has grown into a passion and the backyard garage had been transformed into a full working ‘Black & White’ darkroom. Self taught through pamphlets and books from the local library, Cory forged a career for himself through sheer determination and self discipline. An international gymnast at the time, he used the qualities needed as a world class athlete and transferred these to his now chosen profession to fast track to become New Zealand’s leading action sports photographer. A stint at a leading new sports agency covering a variety of top level sports and breaking news provided the learning curve needed to become a complete photographer. Having learned from the masters of the game ‘How to tell a story through a picture’, it was the extreme action sports that caught his attention and once offered a full time position as staff photographer for a surf magazine Cory grabbed the opportunity to become New Zealand’s only full time surf photographer. 13 years on and after travelling the globe and his homeland constantly in search of the world’s most perfect surf he reflects “my search for the perfect photo has seen me travel to the ends of the world, to places most people have never heard of let alone visited. The scenery, cultures and experiences that I have had the pleasure to have laid eyes on and capture through my camera, and to then bring home for the world to see, it’s an honour to be in this position”.
Known in the industry as being a workhorse, it is his standards that he sets for himself and his constant strive for perfection that stand out from the rest, however it’s his professionalism he brings to every job that create the demand for his services. International publication companies and the world’s top surfers are in regular contact all wanting a piece of the next photo shoot he may be doing. Cory has never been one to chase the limelight; however his photos have won the following awards and recognition:
1998 – Finalist Qantas media awards
2001 – World surf photography awards -Most futuristic photo
2003 – New Zealand Sir Terry McLean sports journalism awards -Best sports photo
2009 – Qantas Media Awards -Winner Best single sports photo and Best sports portfolio