JANENE CISSI
Photography ~ Since 1995
About Auckland Photographer
Janene Cissi
Photography - Since 1995.
Dedicated to creating elegant, high-end portraits that truly celebrate you!
I help people go from disliking photos of themselves to loving how they look in photos!
With 29 years of photography and 25 years in makeup artistry, I’ve been passionately telling stories through images since 1995. Before digital, cell phone cameras and the internet, I honed my craft in film photography and hand-developing enlargements with darkroom techniques. My experience spans the excitement of weddings, the joyful chaos of children's portraits, milestones, and work in NZ television.
As an award-winning makeup designer recognized at the inaugural New Zealand Television Awards, I’m committed to helping you feel confident and comfortable in front of my lens. Every image reflects my dedication to excellence, ensuring your portraits have an infinite lifespan—lasting decades, centuries, and generations—capturing moments that matter far beyond the fleeting.
No matter where you come from, I believe everyone deserves a premium experience. Because every chapter deserves celebration — and so do you!


Specialising in Fine Art, Beauty, Headshots and Maternity photography for the every day and the EXTRAordinary!

MY WHY
In 1995, I instantly fell involve with the meaning of portraits. Pursuing photography was a deeply emotional pursuit inspired by my grandmothers humble black & white photo taken prior to her passing in 1962. This personal experience instilled in me to recognize the power of photography and its remarkable ability to capture a moment in time – freezing it FOREVER. This touching experience is what inspired the significant name of my business - Forever Portrait - As a young photographer, my purpose began as way to record and capture my family documenting the times and moments we shared. This quickly developed into requests from brides looking for someone to capture their big day and by the tender age of 20 I had 10 weddings under my belt. Inspired by the centuries-old ancestral portrait walls of European castles and 19th-century Pacific Island cultures, I recognize the importance of honouring family lineage and preserving heritage for future generations. These early portraits not only reveal our ancestors' lives but also highlight our families' enduring legacies. Driven by a passion for photographic heritage, I aim to create portraits that convey dignity and respect. By incorporating hairstyling and makeup into each shoot, I enhance both the inner and outer self, reinforcing the idea that looking good leads to feeling good—ultimately shining through in every captured image. When you invest in my work, you're choosing memories that truly stand the test of time!

The late 19th to early 20th-century portraits of Samoa, captured by foreign photographers between 1880 and 1904, serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of portrait photography.