Autumn Leaves & Stars 2025 - Mackenzie Country Photography Workshop

Workshop length:
Thursday 24 April - Sunday 27 April 2025 (4 day, 3 night)
Location:
Mount Cook - Twizel - Tekapo - Ohau - Lake Alexandrina
Investment:
$1,999 (plus accommodation)
Max number on course:
Maximum of 8 per course
Overview
Join me and Rachel Gillespie (renowned Mackenzie astrophotographer) for a long weekend of incredible landscape photography and astrophotography in the Mackenzie. Autumn is when the Mackenzie comes alive with stunning fiery colour across the landscape and the stars come out to play in the incredible Aoraki Dark Sky Reserve. You've never seen stars like you've seen them here!
What you'll experience
We'll teach you how to use simple techniques to improve your composition, master your camera's settings and use filters to enhance the images you capture. We'll help you perfect more advanced techniques such as focus stacking and exposure bracketing to improve your results when photographing challenging landscape and astro scenes. You'll also learn how to take the potential from your RAW images and turn it into an image that will wow you through the use of both Lightroom and Photoshop. And of course we'll have a ton of fun and adventures along the way too.
Course Itinerary
By Meghan Maloney
Thursday 24 April - Sunday 27 April 2025 (4 day, 3 night)

Join Pro Photographers Meghan and Rachel for a private hands-on Photography Adventure including 3 nights of Astrophotography, and 4 days of Mackenzie Country Autumn Leaves, Landscapes and Stars.

Itinerary

Workshop commences Thursday 24th April at 12pm and concludes on Sunday 27th April at 12pm.

Transport may be available from Christchurch Airport on the afternoon of Wednesday 23rd April returning on Sunday 27th April by 2pm.

We will be based in Twizel for the duration of the workshop. A full itinerary will be provided after booking your place and will include a range of beautiful locations in the Mackenzie such as the lakes around Twizel, Lake Ohau, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

A few of Meghan's Mackenzie images from recent Autumn Leaves & Stars workshops

autumn mackenzie twizel mt cook workshop

A few of Rachel's Mackenzie images

autumn photography workshop twizel tekapo mt cook

Your Host Meghan Maloney

I'm a full-time landscape photographer, and my greatest passion is helping you discover your photography potential through photography adventures around New Zealand. Whether it's teaching you the art of capturing beautiful images with the help of filters, helping you to transform your raw images into stunning works of art in Lightroom, or simply having a grand adventure together in amazing places, you will come away from my workshops filled with new knowledge and skills, not to mention amazing memories.

Workshop Co-Host

Rachel Gillespie is a full time Astrophotography Guide in the Mackenzie Country, and she knows all the best photography locations in the area. Her passion is the night sky and astrophotography, she runs her adventure photography business in the Mackenzie Country and is a mum of three.  Her passion is to teach others how to get their cameras off auto and capture the beauty of New Zealand.  

You can check out Rachel's work on her website and Instagram.

Additional Workshop Info

  • We have discounted rates available at Pukaki Air Lodge (which is where the workshop indoor sessions will be based) - first in first served as there are a limited number of rooms here.
  • Please ensure you read the terms and conditions regarding the cancellation policy for this workshop.

Fees and Payment

  • The full workshop fee is $1,999 payable to NZ Travel Adventure
  • Payment plans are available for an extra fee (please enquire)

How to Book

Please complete the booking form below to register or email Rach at NZ Travel Adventure for more information.

What's included
  • Hands on tuition from two of NZ's leading landscape/astro photographers
  • Mastering the manual settings on your camera
  • The art of good composition
  • Use of KASE neutral density and polariser filters while in the field
  • Planning and executing a successful photography shoot
  • In-the-field experience at a variety of stunning New Zealand locations
  • Expert advice on how to create stunning images in Lightroom and Photoshop
  • Advice on using social media to showcase your photography
Gear requirements
  • Camera and lenses (both a wide angle lens as well as a zoom lens)
  • STURDY tripod - very important
  • Torch or head torch
  • Spare batteries and charger (plenty of batteries!)
  • Laptop
  • Memory cards and adapter to link with laptop for editing
  • Remote shutter control (needed if there is an opportunity to try star trails)
  • Neutral density filters (if you own these - a selection will be available to borrow during the weekend)
  • Wet weather and warm gear (waterproof jacket, hiking boots, a small umbrella or waterproof camera sleeve, hat and gloves)
  • A willingness to learn and a sense of fun and adventure!
For full terms & conditions click here

Testimonials

"Meghan is a great photography tutor. She explains things clearly and precisely and takes the time to make sure you understand. She knows a wide variety of techniques and styles for learners to try."

Craig - Matamata

Meghan's workshop is a great mix of useful skills and fundamental concepts as well as lots of fun. Meghan is such a lovely person that would like to share anything that you will be happy to spend two full days with her. The workshop helped me a lot.

Lily - China

Having followed Meghan and her captivating portrayal of New Zealand’s landscape on instagram for over 5 years, I’ve finally had the opportunity to join her 5-week online live photography course. Meghan has a gift to explain the “how to” of landscape photography in a very clear, easy to understand and enjoyable manner. Her depth of knowledge in every aspect will prove a more than worthwhile investment for anyone who enjoys this form of photography,  whether novice or experienced.

David - Christchurch

Real, honest, down to earth and very talented photographer. Very helpful with all the little things, takes time to explain information and makes sure it is understood. Just completed an online Zoom photography course which was well run and incredibly informative..

Robbie - Australia

Meghan is an amazing tutor. Her effective communication and course outline was exactly what I was looking for. I bought my first camera a few weeks before this course and lucky enough this course covered camera settings and composition which every beginner looks forward to.  From looking after your gear, settings, pro tips, composition and editing, this course was every beginners dream come true. I look forward to the next stage of this course and mind you this was quite affordable and full of knowledge. I have become a better photographer. Thank you and I look forward to more content from you.

Ash - Queenstown

Meghan is not only an awesome photographer but a wonderful teacher. I love her delivery style and this course is a great introduction to landscape photography. Meghan is also very encouraging and is very open and detailed with sharing her knowledge during her classes. The course structure was well thought out and presented in easy to digest modules. I look forward to learning more from Meghan as she grows her class schedule. Highly recommend!

Lystra - UK

Meghan has been the most helpful and caring photographer I have had the pleasure to meet, she has that special quality (and patience) that very few are blessed with to be the perfect teacher and along with her amazing photography is a mentor to us all... I have been so privileged to have her assistance on my learning journey, something I will be forever grateful for...

Robyn -  Otago

Totally amazing time with Meghan.  Her knowledge is amazing and the willingness to teach is fantastic. I never thought i could learn so much in such a short time but I did. I highly recommend Meghan to anyone wanting to learn and develop their skills. I cant wait to work with Meghan again soon.

Paul - Palmerston North

Perfect. I have learnt more in one  weekend than I ever imagined I could.

Jason - Cambridge

Let's book you a course!

Fill out the form below and I will be back in touch soon.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.