New Zealand in Autumn
April 8 – 18, 2027
New Zealand in Autumn
3 Spots Left
At a Glance
Location
New Zealand
Tuition
$11,995
Dates
April 13 – 23, 2028
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 5 Guests
Collections
- Journey
- Signature Collection
New Zealand in Autumn Photography Workshop
A Landscape Photography Paradise in Autumn
April 13 – 23, 2028
- Rugged mountains and pristine waterways embrace the colors of fall
- Capture Mt. Cook and braided rivers from doors-off sunrise helicopter
- Master pre-visualization techniques and perfect your compositions
Autumn in New Zealand’s South Island is a kaleidoscope of color, light, and atmosphere. A short journey can take you from snow-fed rivers and turquoise water to expansive forests and gigantic granite cliffs.
Golden poplars line quiet lake shores, their reflections rippling beneath snow-capped peaks. Morning fog drifts through glacial valleys while fiery red and amber foliage contrasts against the deep blues of alpine rivers. It’s a season of change – where crisp air and ever-changing weather make for dynamic photography. Every corner reveals a new scene: from misty rainforests to wide-open plains at golden hour.
This adventure takes you deep into the heart of the South Island’s most iconic and off-the-beaten-track locations. You’ll photograph the towering peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the braided rivers of the Tasman Valley, and the mirrored stillness of Lake Matheson. We’ll also explore the remote Nevis Valley, where old gold mining settlements and rural life add texture and story to your images.
What makes this workshop special is the combination of field access and hands-on learning. You’ll fly doors-off over Mount Cook at sunrise and shoot astrophotography in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Each day will include expert instruction on a breadth of photography topics, including capturing the mood, reading the weather, abstract aerial photography, and mastering motion blur and long exposures. Group image critiques and Lightroom sessions will help you refine your vision and lift your portfolio.
Whether you’re photographing the elegance of the Wanaka Tree at dawn or a storm rolling in over the West Coast, this workshop reminds you to linger, respond to the landscape, and capture New Zealand’s light, textures and contrasts with intention and creativity.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have more than just great images. You’ll have skills, inspiration and the confidence to take your photography further.
Check out this great blog post by Matt Payne: Beyond the Postcard: A Photographer’s Guide to New Zealand!
Of course, we are approved by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Your Pro
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
April 13, 2028: Arrive in Queenstown, Sunset Photography, Welcoming Dinner
Arrive at Queenstown Airport (ZQN), Queenstown, New Zealand before 12:00 PM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
We’ll meet at our hotel in Queenstown today at 2:00 PM. After a short meet and greet, we’ll head out for a sunset shoot before returning to town for dinner at a local restaurant.
April 14, 2028: Sunrise at Moke Lake, Scenic Drive, Sunset at Lake Pukaki
Our first sunrise shoot will be at Moke Lake, a short drive from our hotel. We’ll return to the hotel for a warm breakfast, and then set off for the high-country basin around Twizel, also known as the gateway town to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. In this ecosystem, sitting in the lee of the Southern Alps, planted poplars are bursting with autumn color. We’ll make sure to stop along the way for any photo opportunities that present themselves—Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, and Lindis Pass may be among our potential stops.
We will be in Twizel in plenty of time for a sunset shoot around Lake Pukaki this evening, after which we will have dinner in a local restaurant.
April 15, 2028: Helicopter Flight over Tasman Valley, Sunset Shoot in Hooker Valley
This morning’s sunrise promises to be one of the highlights of the trip, with incredible opportunities for aerial photography and exquisite views. We’ve reserved helicopters this morning for an unforgettable doors-off sunrise flight. Weather permitting, we’ll take off at sunrise and fly through the Tasman Valley, past Mount Sefton, and onwards for a dramatic close-up view of the summit of Mount Cook and surrounding high peaks. From this unique perspective, we’ll also photograph the braided Tasman and Godley rivers.
As you weave alongside jagged walls of rock and ice, getting remarkably close to hanging glaciers, icefalls, and sheer alpine faces, it’s a thrilling exercise in fast composition. Forced to react in the moment, we’ll guide you through constantly anticipating how ridges, ice features, and background peaks will line up, encouraging you to previsualize your frame in real time to make the most of the experience.
After breakfast, we’ll spend some time shooting around Lake Pukaki and Twizel before heading out again in the afternoon to photograph in the Hooker Valley until sunset.
Photographing from an open-door helicopter is a special experience, and for best results, it is essential that we are fully prepared before we take off. Be assured that we will spend all the time needed the night before our flight helping you get your camera set up and ready—exposure settings, lens choice, focus settings, and, of course, safety essentials. You’ll also need to wrap up warm—it’s very cold up there!
April 16, 2028: Sunrise at Peter’s Lookout, Lake Tekapo
We’ll shoot sunrise this morning at Peter’s Lookout for a picture-perfect view of Aoraki-Mount Cook at the head of Lake Pukaki. Guests are often shocked by the sheer prominence and scale of these Southern Alps, which run like a backbone along much of the length of the South Island and create remarkable opportunities for telephoto shots of the peaks catching first sunrise rays. Interpreting the scale of the grand landscape requires playing with reflections and careful framing of the water, trees, and peaks in your compositions.
After breakfast, we’ll take time for an interactive image review session. We’ll head out to nearby Lakes Alexandrina and Tekapo in the afternoon for more opportunities to capture the sheer scale of the landscape.
April 17, 2028: Sunrise at Lake Ruataniwha, Afternoon in Matukituki Valley, Sheep Muster Views
We’ll begin our day early again with sunrise at nearby Lake Ruataniwha, a glacial blue lake. The bright blues appear almost exaggerated, but they are the result of glacial silt and blue-sky reflection. Combined with the brilliant, warm colors of autumn, this creates unexpected compositions, as well as an opportunity to practice color correcting in post-production. Sometimes we will also experience low-lying fog, which provides a great atmospheric tool to capture mood.
We’ll have a leisurely morning, before heading south to the lakeside resort town of Wanaka this morning. We’ll spend the afternoon in the remote Matukituki Valley, with a glacial blue river, rugged mountain slopes, waterfalls, and a close-up view of the Rob Roy Glacier. In this farming country, we may encounter a typical New Zealand sheep muster!
April 18, 2028: Off-road Adventure in Nevis Valley, Sunset Over Lake Wanaka
Today, we’ll depart the hotel early with our guides for an all-day off-road adventure into the Nevis Valley. The Nevis is a backcountry wilderness area with a rich gold mining history. After sunrise, high up at Duffer’s Saddle, we’ll spend the morning photographing the rocky valleys, tussock grasslands, rivers, and abandoned buildings of the Nevis before returning to the colorful vineyards and fruit orchards of Bannockburn and Cromwell. We’ll finish the day with a sunset shoot over Lake Wanaka and dinner at another great local restaurant.
April 19, 2028: Helicopter to Coromandel Peak, Scenic Drive to West Coast
An early morning helicopter flight will take us to Coromandel Peak on Mount Roy, where we will enjoy exclusive access to one of the country’s most spectacular views over Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring.
After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and cross the Southern Alps through Haast Pass in Mount Aspiring National Park to the West Coast, with several photo stops along the way, including the deserted beach at Bruce Bay in the warm light of the late afternoon. Our base for the next three nights is Franz Josef Glacier.
April 20, 2028: Sunrise at Lake Mapourika, Sunset Photography in Okarito
This morning we’ll enjoy a sunrise shoot at Lake Mapourika and then, conditions permitting, photograph the kahikatea trees in mist on the shore of nearby Lake Wahapo. Breakfast at our hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the coastal village of Okarito for golden hour and sunset photography at the lagoon and the beach.
April 21, 2028: Lake Matheson Reflections, Fox Glacier Photoshoot, Sunset at Franz Josef Glacier
An early start this morning to drive to Fox Glacier and a hike to Lake Matheson, from where we will photograph one of the crown jewels of the New Zealand landscape: the snow-capped high peaks of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflecting perfectly in the tranquil lake in front of us. After breakfast, we’ll photograph the Fox Glacier and Mount Tasman in the morning light. We’ll have our second image review session in the afternoon and head out again later for a sunset shoot at Franz Josef Glacier nearby.
April 22, 2028: Sunrise Photography, Return to Wanaka, Sunset Over the Lake
After a sunrise shoot and breakfast, we’ll leave Franz Josef and return to Wanaka, stopping at a number of locations according to the weather. Arriving in Wanaka in the afternoon, we’ll spend some time in a colorful woodland park and shoot sunset over the lake, before our farewell dinner in a great local restaurant.
April 23, 2028: Capture the Wanaka Tree, Drive Over Crown Range, Workshop Conclusion
For our last morning we’ll photograph the famous Wanaka Tree, a lone willow in the lake with a spectacular mountain backdrop. After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and drive back to Queenstown via the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest main road. The workshop ends upon arrival in Queenstown.
Flights out can be made after 1:00 PM today.
Fitness
Moderate: Be prepared for early starts and long days with multiple photography sessions, including sunrise and sunset shoots. You’ll experience a mix of short drives and off-road adventures, with some hiking on uneven terrain. Helicopter flights offer unique perspectives but require preparation for cold conditions. Expect dynamic weather and carry camera gear throughout.
Flights
Arrive at Queenstown International Airport (ZQN), Queenstown, New Zealand, before 12:00 PM on April 13, 2028. Flights out can be scheduled after 1:00 PM on April 23, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $1,400 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- All helicopter charters.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from Neil Protheroe.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Queenstown, New Zealand.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $1,400 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $4,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $4,000 is due by August 1, 2027.
- The balance is due not later than December 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll learn long exposures, focus stacking, panoramic stitching, landscape composition considerations and how to work with tricky light. Additionally, you'll practice and refine your skills through group image critiques and Lightroom sessions.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you receive a full refund. For cancellations 150–91 days before, you'll get a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and for 90–61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
The workshop has a maximum capacity of 5 participants, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunity for one-on-one instruction with the professional photographer guiding the trip.
Yes, for the helicopter shoots, it's important to have your camera set up for exposure settings, lens choice, and focus settings. Wide-angle lenses from 24-105 mm are recommended for capturing the expansive landscapes. We'll help you prepare the night before to ensure you're ready for this unique experience.
A moderate fitness level is required, as you'll need to be able to walk up to two miles on uneven ground. This will help you access some of the more remote and stunning locations featured in the itinerary.
Yes, all meals, soft drinks, and snacks are included during the workshop. However, alcoholic beverages and any meals before or after the workshop dates are not included.
While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment and ensure peace of mind during your travels.
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