How Creatives Across Aotearoa Level Up Their Photography Game — Without Breaking the Bank
“He toi whakairo, he mana tangata – Where there is artistic expression, there is human dignity.”
It started, like many good Kiwi stories do, at a mate’s backyard BBQ.
Josh was a keen photographer still finding his feet. At the BBQ, a friend asked if he’d be keen to film their wedding at Piha. He had the vision: the bride walking along the black sand beach, waves rolling behind her, golden light pouring in — and a sweeping drone shot to bring it all together.
There was just one problem: drones don’t come cheap, and Josh didn’t own one.
That’s when he gave Sharehub a crack.
He found a DJI Inspire drone listed just a few suburbs away. The owner handed it over with spare batteries, filters, and even shared a few shooting tips during a quick driveway handover.
That weekend, Josh nailed the shot.
A sweeping aerial of Piha’s rugged coastline at sunset, the newlyweds walking barefoot through the surf — it became the couple’s favourite image and video. For Josh, it was a game-changer. He’s now turned his passion into a growing side hustle, using Sharehub to hire the gear he needs for each job, and even listing some of his own equipment to earn on the side.
The Cost of Creativity & How to Beat It
This isn’t just Josh’s story. Across Aotearoa, freelancers, creators, and weekend warriors face the same challenge: high-end gear costs a fortune and often gathers dust between jobs.
Sharehub flips that on its head — giving you access to top-tier gear when you need it, and a way to earn from the gear you already own.
Buying vs Hiring: A Quick Look
| Gear | Buy New (NZD) | Hire on Sharehub |
|---|---|---|
| Canon R5 camera body | ~$5,600 | $145 / weekend |
| Canon 6D Mark II | ~$2,500 | $100 / day |
| Photo Booth | ~$7,250 | $699 / day |
| Sony A7S III + 24-70 G-Master | ~$9,200 | $220 / weekend |
| DJI Ronin RS-4 gimbal | ~$1,500 | $40 / day |
| DJI Inspire Drone (Pro kit) | $5,500+ | $130 / day |
A full setup can set you back $20,000 or more, and yet most of it sits idle 90% of the time. Hiring gives you flexibility, saves money, and lets you focus your budget on travel, software, or even just making rent.
Why It Matters
There’s something uniquely Kiwi about backing your mates and sharing what you’ve got. Renting gear from someone in your community — not a faceless business — means real advice, flexible pick-ups, and genuine connection.
It also means less waste. More use. More access.
Whether it’s a wedding shoot, school project, creative gig or side hustle — gear should help you move forward, not hold you back.
Got Gear? Let It Pay for Itself
If you’ve got photography or film gear lying around, Sharehub isn’t just for hiring, it’s a way to earn. That camera or lens you haven’t touched in months could be helping someone else bring their creative vision to life, while putting money back in your pocket.
And here’s the bonus, if you list your gear as part of a business, the cost of that gear can often be claimed as a business expense. That includes depreciation, storage, and even a portion of your power and home office bills.
What’s Your Story?
Maybe you’ve got a dusty DSLR, a GoPro tucked away, or a project sitting on hold because the gear felt out of reach. Or maybe you've got thousands of dollars of equipment from a past project sitting idle.
Wherever you’re at, Sharehub is for you.
Rent out what you have. Hire what you need. Create something epic. Build a creative community.
