The Charm of the Catlins 4-Day NZ Landscape Photography Workshop

Workshop length:

Thursday 19 June - Sunday 22 June (inc Matariki Holiday Fri 20 June)

Location:

Nugget Point - McLean Falls - Purakaunui - Curio Bay - Waipapa Point - Slope Point - Matai Falls - Haldane Bay and more

Investment:

$2699 (includes 3 nights single-share accommodation & transport from Dunedin Airport)

Max number on course:

3 ATTENDEES

Overview

Join me and for an epic landscape and astrophotography adventures in one of NZ's most remote and enchanting locations - The Catlins. The area is home to endless amazing waterfalls, lighthouses and seascapes so there will be an amazing variety of locations to choose from to hone your photography skills, while learning many settings and techniques to improve your results. This is a small group with only 3 attendees on the workshop to further benefit your learning experience.

What you'll experience

You'll learn how to use simple techniques to improve your composition, master your camera's settings and use filters to enhance the images you capture. I'll also 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 19 June - Sunday 22 June (inc Matariki Holiday Fri 20 June)

Thursday 19 June 2025

The workshop will commence at 12pm at Dunedin Airport.

We'll leave for our accommodation in The Catlins (approx 1.5 hour drive). We will decide on the exact location for sunset on the day based on weather conditions in the area. If the skies are clear we'll stay out to shoot astro before returning to the accommodation for dinner.

Friday 20 June (Matariki Holiday) - Saturday 21 June 2025

Our days will be filled with photography and learning as we explore The Catlins region. Locations will include Nugget Point, Purakaunui Bay, McLean Falls, Korupuku Falls, Matai Falls, Curio Bay and more, locations will be selected based on weather conditions on the day. Image processing sessions will be held during the day between locations or in the evening (if we are not out shooting astro) but we will maximise every opportunity weather wise.

catlins landscape photography workshop 2025

Sunday 22 June 2025

We'll greet the day with a final sunrise in the area, before returning to Dunedin Airport by 12pm for afternoon flights home.

Note: This is an approximate itinerary only and will change based on weather conditions, so it is possible that not all locations listed will be visited.

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Additional Workshop Info

Accommodation will be single share in AirBnB style accommodation (you may be required to share a bathroom)
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the workshop fee.
Please ensure you read the terms and conditions regarding the cancellation policy for this workshop.
As there are some steep walking tracks at several of the locations and the possibility of shooting near rivers with slippery rocks, a good level of fitness/balance is required to join.

Fees and Payment

The full workshop fee is $2,699 NZD
A deposit of $699 is required to be paid to secure your place for the workshop
The remaining $2,000 is to be paid no later than 120 days prior to the event (19 February) and is payable to Meghan Maloney Photography via bank transfer or credit card (3% surcharge applies)
Payment plans are also available (additional $100 administration fee) - please enquire

How to Book

Please complete the booking form below to register.

What's included

Hands on tuition from a leading NZ landscape/astro photographer
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
Use of Sony cameras and lenses
3 nights accommodation (AirBnb) and transport (to/from Dunedin Airport)
Breakfasts and dinner for 3 days/nights

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!

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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