NEW ZEALAND | SUMMER LANDSCAPES
DECEMBER 2-11, 2025
Think “Lord of the Rings.” New Zealand’s South Island is known for its breathtaking landscapes. From mountains and fjords, to lakes and deep river canyons. On this workshop, we will focus on some of the most iconic, beautiful landscape locations in New Zealand. We will also get to do some aerial work with our drones!
LOCATION:
SOUTH ISLAND, NZ
FITNESS:
MODERATE, TRAIL HIKING
COST:
$9000 ($3500 deposit)
DATES:
DEC 2-11, 2025
THE DETAILS
Price - $9000 which includes your pre-workshop materials and Skype Q&A, 9 days of photography instruction, all park fees, 9 nights lodging, bottled waters, snacks, and meals in the field, and photo feedback and discussion sessions, as well as transportation throughout the workshop. Flights to and from CHC (NEW ZEALAND), meals on travel days, and all other expenses are not included.
Deposit - A refundable* $3500 deposit is required to secure your spot.
Class Size - This class will have at most a 4 to 1 ratio of students to instructor. A minimum of 2 participants is required for this workshop to occur. Discounts may be available for multiple people in one party, and friend referrals.
Travel - We will be road tripping the South Island of New Zealand, and the closest practical airport is Christchurch International (CHC). We will coordinate our flights so that I can pick us all up in CHC to drive us to our first hotel/ home, as well as with the return. If you can only get late flights in or out, you should plan on catching an uber or taxi to our lodging.
Lodging - Lodging with instructor is included. If you have any specific questions, please contact Andrew directly. If you require special assistance at all, please talk with Andrew directly before booking!
Meals - Snacks and water are provided, but all other meals are the responsibility of the student. Options in this region are limited and local to the culture, but we will tend to eat as a group, so please make arrangements if you have special dietary needs.
Transportation – Once landed at CHC, travel is included to all listed locations, unless you cannot synch up your itinerary in reason with the groups..
* Please see Terms and Conditions page for refund policy.
“I had a great time shooting with you, learned quite a lot (try to do more tele work now!) In those few days I learned a huge amount not just about shooting, but postprocessing and how to scout locations and how to best prepare and setup a shooting. Thanks! I hope I get a chance to repeat such a course with you in a new location.”
— Phil S., Munich, Germany
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Pre-workshop Personal Skype Session – Before all of our destination workshops, you can benefit from a personal Q&A Skype session at your convenience with Andrew, to ask any questions you might have about your upcoming trip. This is immensely helpful to gat to know your instructor, and to making sure you feel prepared for the great adventure ahead!
Welcome Packet - You will receive your personalized welcome packet 2-6 weeks before the workshop with maps, helpful local info, nature facts, FAQ’s, technical photography information on what we will be discussing, a comprehensive list of what to bring, and more.
Park Related Fees – If time permits, we will visit a few nearby National Parks to explore and capture the beauty of the surrounding topography.
Guided Hikes – We will embark on at least one hike per day through the differing landscapes. We will explore the flora and fauna of this fascinating ecosystem, shooting anything and everything in nature, discussing a wide range of photographic tips and techniques.
Astro Photography - If we get lucky with clear skies, we may have an opportunity to discuss and capture night sky photos.
Drone work - In many locations, we will have the chance to fly our drones and capture stunning aerials.
9 Nights lodging, water, and snacks – We will spend each night in comfort at various hotels, lodges, and airbnbs. Please let Andrew know of any special requests pertaining to lodging, and he can typically accommodate. All sign ups are subject to double occupancy rooms, however, single occupancy options may be available at extra cost.
Image Reviews + Post-Processing Instruction - We will spend some good time on image critiques plus help with post-processing and workflow.
What’s NOT Included? Meals not explicitly listed are not included, though we will try to eat together as much as possible, since it's a great chance to continue talking shop. Flights to and from CHC, NZ is also not included, as well as anything not specifically listed above. Travel insurance can be purchased separately, HERE, but not necessary.
*All images on this page are not my own, but examples of the locations we plan to visit.
ROUGH ITINERARY
Due to unpredictable changes in weather and movement of wildlife, etc., our schedule remains flexible and subject to change. However, our start and end times are set in stone so each student can plan their travel accordingly.
Tuesday - We will be meeting at CHC Airport promptly by 3:00pm, we will then drive our lodging for settling in, orientation, dinner, and an evening shoot.
Wednesday - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (3 hours) with scenic stops along the way.
Thursday - Mount Cook National Park
Friday - Drive to Wanaka (2.5 hours).
Saturday - Various areas near Wanaka.
Sunday - Wanaka to Queenstown (1 hour) with breathtaking views along the way.
Monday - Day trip to Milford Sound. Fjords, waterfalls, peaks, and more!
Tuesday - Fiordland National Park day (Te Anau area), includes the divide and Mirror Lakes reflection shots.
Wednesday - Fiordland to Christchurch (6 hours) with many stops along the way.
Thursday - Last minute sightseeing. Airport transfers (CHC) for departing flights.
Itinerary subject to change by Slaton