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Autumn Leaves & Stars Photography Workshop
4.5 DAY SMALL GROUP NEW ZEALAND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
28 April - 2 May 2027 (with intro session 5pm Tue 27 April)
Twizel · Tekapo · Lake Ōhau · Aoraki/Mount Cook · Mackenzie Country
Experience the Mackenzie at one of its most spectacular times of year - when brilliant autumn colour fills the landscape by day and NZ’s darkest skies come alive with stars at night. Join Meghan Maloney and co-host Rachel Gillespie for 4.5 days of landscape and astrophotography in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Max 10 people
GROUP SIZE
4.5 days, 5 nights
DURATION
NZD $2,795
INVESTMENT
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Autumn colour by day. Stars by night.
Spend your days photographing the golden autumn landscapes, mountains, lakes and reflections of the Mackenzie, then head back out after dark to capture the extraordinary night skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Meghan and Rachel will help you develop your landscape and astrophotography skills in the field - from composition, camera settings and filters through to more advanced techniques such as exposure bracketing, focus stacking and astrophotography. You'll also learn how to create stunning images from your RAW files using a range of post-processing techniques
With changing autumn conditions and night shoots dependent on clear skies, we'll stay flexible and make the most of the best light, colour and conditions throughout the workshop.
SHOOT
Composition, settings, filters, long exposures, bracketing and focus stacking in real-world conditions.
EXPLORE
Twizel, Lake Ōhau, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and some of our favourite Mackenzie photography locations.
EDIT
Learn how to select and edit your strongest images using Lightroom Classic & Photoshop.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Here’s what you need to know to decide if this workshop is right for you.
Photography Level
Suitable for photographers with basic camera knowledge through to advanced photographers. We cater the learning to your level.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation and meals not included. Discounted accomm available at Pukaki Air Lodge where workshop is based, plus other accommodation options nearby.
Fitness & Access
You need to be comfortable walking on uneven ground & carrying your camera gear, and photographing outdoors in cold conditions - especially night shoots.
Landscape & Astro Gear
Bring a camera + wide/tele lenses, sturdy tripod, head torch, remote shutter, warm clothing and a laptop with Lightroom Classic & Photoshop installed.
What to Expect
Expect early starts, late nights and a flexible schedule. We'll work around the weather, autumn colour, clear skies and best light rather than following a fixed daily itinerary.
Payment
$2,795 NZD paid in full when booking, or $2,995 NZD on a payment plan with a $750 deposit to secure your place.
📍 Meeting Point (if requiring transport) : Queenstown Airport, 1pm Tuesday 27 April. Return to Queenstown Airport, 1pm Sunday 2 May.
📍 Meeting Point (if meeting in Twizel): Pukaki Air Lodge, 5pm Tuesday 27 April. Workshop concludes 10am Sunday 2 May.
Your Hosts
Meghan Maloney
Award-winning New Zealand landscape photographer | Sony Digital Imaging Ambassador | Photography Educator
Meghan is a New Zealand landscape photographer and educator with a particular love for photographing the country's wild and dramatic landscapes. She specialises in helping photographers improve their composition, camera technique and use of filters in the field, as well as developing their images using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.
Meghan’s aim is to help you build confidence in the field, make stronger creative decisions and come away with practical skills you can continue to use long after the workshop.
APPROVED OPERATOR
DOC concession holder, P-endorsed & Transport Service licence.
SONY DIGITAL IMAGING AMBASSADOR
Proud to be a Sony NZ ambassador.
Your Hosts
Rachel Gillespie
Award-winning New Zealand astrophographer
Rachel is a full-time photographer with a particular passion for astrophotography and photography education. With extensive experience photographing the Mackenzie's extraordinary night skies, she loves helping photographers master their equipment, build confidence and develop their skills both in the field and after dark.
Rachel also brings years of tourism guiding experience to the workshop and a genuine enthusiasm for helping photographers push their creative boundaries.
KASE FILTERS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
Global ambassador for Kase Filters & NZ distributor.
Joint Workshop Experience
Meghan and Rachel have been running this workshop together for seven years, bringing a wealth of experience and local knowledge to every workshop. With different strengths, approaches and teaching styles, they complement each other perfectly - giving you the benefit of two perspectives and different ways of explaining techniques, while ensuring plenty of individual support throughout the workshop.
What past workshop guests say
“I recently attended the Autumn Leaves & Stars workshop with Meghan and Rachel and wow, what a fantastic experience. They're both patient teachers and great fun to spend a few days with. I learnt so much about landscape and astrophotography.”
HELEN, AUSTRALIA
“We started with sunrise shoots and ended with sunset and astrophotography shoots most days, and did even more photography in between. We also had time to look at processing our pictures and learning workflow and how to stack Astro shots. The course atmosphere was supportive and fun and well organised.”
JANE, WELLINGTON
“Meghan's knowledge of the places you visit is second to none, and having great locations really assists in getting the best out of everyone's photography. She makes you excited to try different types of photography - for me it was astro. I'd never tried it before but I ended up loving it.”
JOHN, AUCKLAND
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BASED IN TWIZEL
We'll be based in Twizel for the duration of the workshop, giving us easy access to a wonderful variety of Mackenzie landscapes.
During the workshop we'll photograph locations around:
✓ Twizel and its surrounding lakes
✓ Lake Ōhau
✓ Lake Tekapo
✓ Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
✓ Other favourite Mackenzie locations depending on conditionsAFTER DARK
Weather permitting, we'll head out in the evenings to photograph the extraordinary night skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve at a variety of locations.
FINAL ITINERARY
Our shooting schedule will remain flexible so we can respond to weather, autumn colour and night-sky conditions.
ARRIVAL
Please be in Twizel by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
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✓ Hands-on landscape and astrophotography tuition
✓ Opportunity to try out Kase ND and polarising filters
✓ Lightroom Classic & Photoshop post-processing tuition
✓ Photography planning and location guidance
✓ Transport during workshop photography sessions
✓ Queenstown transfers on 27 April and 2 May if required -
× Accommodation
× Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
× Travel to/from Twizel unless using the offered Queenstown transfer
× Personal expenses
× Travel insurance -
Camera Gear
✓ Camera
✓ Lenses covering approximately 16–300mm
✓ Wide-angle lens suitable for astrophotography
✓ Sturdy tripod
✓ Neutral density and polarising filters✓ Spare batteries and charger
✓ Plenty of memory cards
✓ Remote shutter releaseFor Editing
✓ Laptop
✓ Lightroom Classic installed
✓ Photoshop installed
✓ Memory card reader/adapterClothing & Weather Gear
✓ Warm merino layers
✓ Puffer jacket
✓ Warm hat and gloves
✓ Warm, comfortable sturdy footwear
✓ Rain jacket/poncho
✓ Head torch with a red-light mode for astro
✓ Waterproof camera cover
✓ Umbrella -
Workshop fee: NZ$2,795 paid in full at time of booking
Payment plan: NZ$2,995 total
Payment-plan deposit: NZ$750 to confirm your place
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Click on the link to view Terms and Conditions.
FULL WORKSHOP DETAILS
Everything you need to know about the itinerary, what’s included, what to bring and booking your place.
Still have questions?
Find answers to common questions about photography levels, equipment, fitness, accommodation, weather and what to expect on my workshops and tours.
Ready to photograph the Mackenzie with us?
Complete the form below to request your place on the Autumn Leaves & Stars Photography Workshop. We'll confirm availability and send you everything you need to secure your booking.
