Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium 2026

Headshots, Heart and 300 Wāhine: The 2026 Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium

On Wednesday 12 August, more than 300 wāhine filled Claudelands Events Centre for the 2026 Waikato Waahine Collective Symposium. Gilmour Studios was there as Gold Sponsor, on stage, and behind the camera. Alongside photographing the event, we set up a pop-up headshot station and photographed more than 80 women in one afternoon. It was our first time bringing event headshots to a Hamilton event on this scale, and we loved every minute.

If you were in the room, this one’s for you. And if you’re planning an event of your own, read on.

The day at a glance

In its second year, the symposium sold out and grew into something bigger and bolder than its first. Hosted by the Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s Waikato Waahine Collective, and supported by Lime Events the afternoon was built around real conversations, practical learning and plenty of connection.

Olympian and broadcaster Sarah Cowley-Ross kept the energy high as MC. The speaker line-up covered a lot of ground:

• Ali Mau, award-winning journalist and co-founder of Tika, on resilience, reinvention and the stories we tell ourselves
• Dr Ala Farah, Waikato GP and co-founder of Cellara Clinic, on burnout and working with your body, not against it
• Kirsten Taylor, naturopathic sleep specialist and SleepDrops founder, on her midlife tech pivot and helping the world sleep better
• Ruth Gilmour and Courtney Haines on showing up for the camera without the cringe

VIP guests started the day with lunch and a Q&A alongside Fiona Michel (CEO, Braemar Hospital), Dr Amy Marfell (CEO, Waikato Rugby Union) and Anna Cruzon. The Business Showcase Hub was buzzing all afternoon, and networking drinks rounded things off.

Showing up without the cringe

Ruth teamed up with personal brand strategist Courtney Haines for a session on something almost every woman in business wrestles with: being seen. Most people feel awkward in photos, and that has very little to do with confidence. It’s a skill, and skills can be learned.

Then came the fun part. Ruth had the whole room up on their feet for a live posing tutorial. Small changes to how you stand, where you put your hands and how you angle your body make a big difference on camera. Judging by the laughter, a few of those tips will be showing up on LinkedIn soon.

80+ headshots in one afternoon

Then we put the theory into practice. Our pop-up headshot station gave attendees the chance to step in front of the camera between sessions and walk away with a professional headshot.

We know how rarely women in business put their own photos at the top of the to-do list. Taking the studio to the event removed every barrier: no booking, no travel, no overthinking what to wear. Just a few guided minutes with a photographer who knows how to put you at ease.

A few days after the symposium, everyone who stepped up to our camera received their headshot in their own online gallery, ready to download and use.

Capturing the room

While the headshot station kept busy, our team documented the day as event photographers. The speakers, the showcase stands, the hugs at registration and the moments in between. The best event photography tells the story of how an event felt, and this one felt warm, generous and full of energy.

Bringing event headshots to your event

If you run a conference, networking event or team day in Hamilton or across the Waikato, a headshot activation is one of the most valued things you can offer your guests. Everyone leaves with something useful. Your sponsors get a genuine point of engagement. And you get event photography and headshots from one team, delivered together.

We’d love to chat about what that could look like for your next event. Get in touch with the team.

Loved your headshot? Here’s what’s next

A headshot is a great start. If you’d like a full set of images for your website, LinkedIn and marketing, our Express Branding sessions give you variety and polish without taking up your whole day.

Thank you

A huge thank you to the Waikato Chamber of Commerce and the Waikato Waahine Collective for having us, to Courtney Haines for sharing the stage, and to Lime Events, Point B, Craigs Investment Partners and 2degrees for bringing it all together. And to every wāhine who stepped up to our camera: thank you for trusting us.

Missed last year’s recap? Catch up on the 2025 symposium here.