Southern Alps Splendour 8-Day Photography Adventure

Workshop length:

Friday 16th June to Friday 23rd June 2023 (8 day, 7 night)

Location:

Ashburton Lakes - Mackenzie Country - Tekapo - Twizel - Pukaki - Mount Cook - Lindis Pass - Wanaka - Queenstown

Investment:

$5,099 (including 7 nights accommodation)

Max number on course:

5 people (SOLD OUT!)

Overview

Winter is magical in the mountains, and you'll have the opportunity to capture an incredible variety of glorious NZ scenes on this 8 day landscape photography tour travelling the length of the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Queenstown with me and award-nominated Sony photographer Andrew Francombe. We'll explore pristine alpine lakes with glorious mountain backdrops, hidden alpine valleys and capture the stars under snowcapped peaks by night on this amazing photography adventure through the heart of NZ's high country.

What you'll experience

It's one thing to visit amazing NZ landscape locations, but quite another to photography them in a way that truly captures the essence and feel of a place. On this tour we will help you create quality images in each location, finding unique compositions to really portray the beauty we find, whether it's a sunrise or sunset, long exposures, amazing reflections, serene waterfalls or astrophotography. The light in winter is much softer and lends itself to landscape photography, and we'll take advantage of that on our travels through the spine of the South Island. This will be a photography adventure to remember!

Course Itinerary

By Meghan Maloney

Friday 16th June to Friday 23rd June 2023 (8 day, 7 night)

A full PDF itinerary will be provided upon registration and payment of the workshop deposit, however a brief outline is provided here:

Friday 16 June 2023 - Saturday 17 June 2023 Ashburton Lakes (2 nights)

We'll explore the amazing Ashburton Lakes region over two days while staying in a high country lodge.

Sunday 18 June 2023 - Tuesday 20 June 2023 Twizel (3 nights)

Experience the magical Mackenzie Country! We'll be staying at a central Mackenzie location with easy, central access to Twizel, Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook, Lake Ohau and more.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 - Thursday 22 June 2023 Queenstown (2 nights)

We'll take the scenic route to Queenstown via Lindis Pass and Wanaka and spend two days exploring Queenstown including a scenic sunrise flight over the Alps to appreciate the majesty of the mountains from on high.

Friday 23 June 2023

Our incredible photography adventure concludes late morning in Queenstown.

Workshop Co-Host

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Andrew is a talented NZ landscape photographer based in the Waikato. We have known each other for years and meet up often for photography adventures in our local area as well as travelling around the South Island together on several occasions, so I'm thrilled to have him co-host this workshop with me.

Andrew's work is displayed on billboards in the Waikato and in 2020 he was a finalist in the Sigma D-Photo photography competition for Landscapes. In 2021, his Cathedral Cove Star Trails image was also a finalist in the NZ Geographic photography competition.

You can check out more of Andrew's epic work on Instagram.

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Terms & Conditions

Please ensure you read the terms and conditions regarding the cancellation policy for this workshop. I highly recommend taking out domestic travel insurance to cover any travel disruptions or if you need to cancel.

Fees and Payment

The full workshop fee is $5,099 NZD including 7 nights accommodation, transport, breakfasts and scenic flight
A deposit of $1,700 is required to be paid to secure your place for this event
The remaining $3,399 is to be paid no later than 120 days prior to the event (24 February 2023) and is payable to Meghan Maloney Photography via bank transfer or credit card (3% surcharge applies)
Payment plans are available - please enquire

How to Book

Please complete the booking form below to register.

What's included

The Learning Experience

Hands-on tuition from a leading NZ landscape photographer and Sony advocate
Mastering the manual settings on your camera - understanding the exposure triangle
The art of good composition - using different techniques to significantly improve how your images look and feel
Advanced techniques such as focus stacking, exposure blending and creating panoramas
Mastering the art of astrophotography using noise stacking techniques
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

Accommodation, Meals & Transport

7 nights single share accommodation included (a variety of accommodation has been booked at lodges, hotels, cottages and AirBNB). You may need to share a room or bathroom with 1 other person in some locations.
Breakfast included for each day
Transport for 8 days including airport pick up in Christchurch and drop-off in Queenstown
A scenic sunrise flight over the Southern Alps

Gear requirements

Camera and lenses - ideally lenses that will cover both wide angle right through to telephoto zoom at 300-400mm
STURDY tripod - very important
Torch or head torch
Spare batteries and charger (plenty of batteries as we are unlikely to be able to charge during the day while travelling)
Laptop with both Lightroom Classic & Photoshop installed
Plenty of 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 workshop)
Warm clothing - it's midwinter so you will need merino layers, puffer jacket, hat, gloves, warm comfortable hiking boots and possibly gumboots
Umbrella, rain poncho and waterproof camera sleeve
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