Mount Somers photographer Anna Munros' images of high country stations have evolved from a passion project to a priceless record of rural life and a side hustle to supplement farm income.

"It was all a pretty organic process, to be fair," Munro says.

Three years ago Munro was living in West Otago, where her husband Mitch worked as a builder and she split her time between working as a physio in Wanaka and as a shepherd in Tarras.

"My working life was a bit mixed," Munro said.

Munro's photography journey began in Otago when she was helping with the autumn muster at Lake Heron Station with her sisters.

She took a camera and posted photos onto social media through her new Facebook page, Muster.

"There was a really good response from it.

"You realise how much people love seeing pictures of the high country."

Despite having no formal training, and using a camera borrowed from her husband, Munro’s images struck a chord with her followers.

People began wanting to buy images, and due to demand, Munro released a calendar later that year, selling around 500 copies.

She saw an opportunity to make some extra income, whilst using the social media platform to show the positive side of agriculture.

"I was amazed at how many calendars sold, and I thought I could start a side hustle, and I was sick of hearing about people complaining about the rural-urban divide.

"I thought this is something I can do to shed some positive light on farming and try to tell an authentic story."

Munro began photographing and sharing elements of farming life and was approached by agribusinesses for paid photography work.

"I've always kept it rural because that's what I'm passionate about."

For young shepherds,time spent mustering on high country stations becomes a fond memory they will recall in later years, andMunro likes being able to help them keep those memories alive with her photographs.

"I've heard from a lot of older guys that mustering was the best years of their life, and they wish they had photos to look back on it.

"For some of the young fellows who leave school and go off mustering, they will be stoked to be able to look back at these days.

"The high country mustering scene is quite a special thing, and maybe it won't be around forever."

Last April, Munro and her husband Mitch moved from Otago to Mid Canterbury, taking over the lease of Munro's parents' sheep and beef farm, Cravendale, near Mount Somers.

The couple welcomed their first child, Charlie, seven months ago, and with a new baby and a farm to run, Munro felt under significant pressure and put photography on hold.

With Mitch new to farming, Munro was hands-on with farm operations, and the juggle of running the farm and a newborn took its toll.

"I'd be lying if I said we had a balanced life.

"It was really busy with having Charlie; I had quite a lot of trouble breastfeeding and wasn't in a good place.

"I' don't know if it was postnatal depression or pressure of trying to raise a baby without much sleep, but I ended up on anti-depressants last year, and they have been great."

Mitch has learned the ropes of farm life quickly, and Munro says the pressure has come off, and she now feels she can get back behind the camera lens.

"Mitch has picked things up and remembers things incredibly well.

"I'm pretty lucky now; if it's been a rough night with Charlie, I can just stay inside, and he can run the farm."

The extra income from Munro's photography work has been welcome after a tough first year at Cravendale.

"It hasn't been the easiest year to get started, and we will be lucky if, at the end of it, we are back to zero, so every little bit helps, even if it's just putting petrol in the car."

Munro's latest images are currently on display in an exhibition at the Cardrona Distillery near Wanaka, her second at the venue.

"It's a real highlight to see these shots blown up to a decent size where you can appreciate the scope of the country."

By Claire Inkson