autumn photography workshop nz

Wednesday 28 April - Sunday 2 May 2027

Autumn Leaves & Stars Photography Workshop

Location: Twizel, Tekapo, Ohau, Aoraki Mt Cook

Workshop Length: 4.5 days

Investment:

$2,795 NZD (Payment plans available)

Max attendees on tour: 8-10

Sponsored by:

Yves Saint Laurent logo in black text
Kase Filters New Zealand logo with red text on a white background.
Department of Conservation logo with approval badge for The Pape Atrian
Rowboat on a lake shore with autumn trees Lake Alexandrina, NZ
Milky Way galaxy and autumn colour reflected in Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel
Autumn landscape with colorful trees and mist Wairepo Arm
Autumn trees with golden leaves reflecting in Twizel Lagoon
Winding road leading to snow-capped Mt Cook golden hour.
Scenic lake view with a tree and wooden dock in autumn, Alexandrina NZ
Autumn trees with golden leaves reflecting on a calm Wairepo Arm.
Aurora Australis over Lake Ruataniwha.
Kellands Pond, Autumn sunset, Twizel
Church of Good Shepherd under a starry sky with Milky Way galaxy
Tasman lake icebergs at sunset, Mt Cook
Lake Ohau Mountain reflected in lake at sunrise, with cloudy sky and orange hues.
Lake Rutaniwha calm lake reflecting trees and cloudy sky, surrounded by autumn foliage and pine trees.
Blurred yellow and green grass with abstract motion, creating a soft, artistic effect.
Autumn landscape with large tree, golden leaves, mountains, Lake Alexandrina.
Ruataniwha lagoon at sunrise, Twizel
Abstract reflection of golden autumn trees in water.
Lake Alexandrina, serene lake with upside-down boats on the grassy shore in autumn
Autumn trees with golden leaves reflecting in Kellands Pond, Twizel
Scenic view of Mt Cook through autumn leaves
Loch Cameron, Twizel under autumn leaves.
Pine trees and autumn foliage reflecting in Ruataniwha lagoon.
Autumn scene with yellow leaves and a red barn
Two overturned boats and snowy mountain Lake Alexandrina
Lake Alexandrina autumn Scenic landscape
Blurred image of a forest with yellow foliage and vertical tree trunks, creating an abstract effect.
Autumn landscape in Mackenzie Country
Aoraki Mt Cook Sunrise Lookout

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.

Your Hosts

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, learning how to improve your workflow, 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.

When not photographing and educating, I'm a mum to two teenage boys and I spend my time sideline supporting their football endeavours, and finding places to go hiking in NZ's outdoors.

Woman wearing a beanie and jacket photographing in a field of purple lupines.
Woman smiling, wearing a turquoise sleeveless top and necklace with pink tassel, standing against a light-colored wall.

Rachel Gillespie

Rachel Gillespie is a full time photographer based in Canterbury, and a mum of three. She has a passion in astrophotography, and the photography business education. Rach says: "for me it's about the adventure, the challenge and the ability to push my limits to keep educating myself that has been my personal inspiration.  I love helping people which took me into guiding in the tourism industry for many years also, now I would love to spend my time helping you to master your gear, find your area of skill and grow that to become one of New Zealand's top photographers"

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

  • We will be based in Twizel for the duration of the workshop. A full itinerary will be provided approx 6 weeks before the workshop 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.

    In the evenings, we will shoot astrophotography at a number of unique locations, weather permitting.

    Attendees need to be in Twizel by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

    • Hands on tuition from three of NZ's leading landscape/astro photographers with guest host Andrew Spencer

    • 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

    • Transport to/from Queenstown on Tue 27 April returning Sun 2 May if required

    The workshop is suitable for the photographer with basic knowledge through to expert level.

    • Accommodation is an additional cost. We offer attendees discounted rates at Pukaki Air Lodge where the workshop is held as well as other local accommodation options nearby

    • Meals

    • Camera and lenses - ideally to cover wide angle from 16-24mm right through to telephoto 200-300mm

    • STURDY tripod - very important

    • Torch or head torch

    • Spare batteries and charger

    • Laptop with both Lightroom Classic & Photoshop installed

    • Plenty of memory cards and adapter to link with laptop for editing

    • Remote shutter control (unless your camera has bulb timer)

    • Neutral density filters (if you do not have your own set, please advise)

    • Warm clothing - even in Autumn we can get nights below zero so you will need merino layers, puffer jacket, hat, gloves, warm comfortable hiking boots and possibly gumboots

    • Umbrella, rain poncho and waterproof camera sleeve

    • The full workshop fee is $2,795 NZD

    • Payment plans are available for an additional $200 NZD ($2,995 total), with a deposit of $750 to confirm your place

  • Click on the link to view Terms and Conditions.

Let’s sign you up!

  • See what my workshop attendees say

    "I have always struggled with my landscape photography, and the workshop delivered by Meghan was extremely beneficial. She helped me to “see “ things, which made composition easier, and she encouraged me to use camera settings that I had not tried before. Meghan went above and beyond in taking us to locations and with her vast knowledge of the area we were able to enjoy some amazing landscape photography. The time spent together was relaxed and comfortable and I felt at ease throughout the two days of learning."

    Sue, Tauranga

  • See what my workshop attendees say

    "Just completed an 8 day workshop with Meghan and it was an experience of a lifetime. Meghan's knowledge of the area ensured that we always had something to shoot, even on the bad weather days. Meghan is also very generous with her photographic knowledge and is always eager to help out with compositions or camera settings. Can highly recommend."

    Ian, Auckland

  • See what my workshop attendees say

    "Just back from a brilliant 5 day Landscape Photography course with Meghan where I learnt so much. 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. Meghan is a great teacher and communicator and her passion for Landscape Photography is infectious. I've got to know my camera and feel so much more equipped to plan and shoot. Having a new network of Photography buddies for feedback and advice is also invaluable. I booked on another Landscape course with Meghan for next year the day I got home which says everything. Hugely recommend - you will have an amazing time!”

    Jane, Wellington