Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 April 2026
Autumn Leaves & Stars Photography Workshop
Location: Twizel, Tekapo, Ohau, Aoraki Mt Cook
Workshop Length: 4 days
Investment:
$1,999 NZD (Deposit of $500)
Max attendees on tour: 8-10
Sponsored by:
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.
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.
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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.
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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
Transport to/from Christchurch if required
The workshop is suitable for the photographer with basic knowledge through to expert level.
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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
Lunch & dinners
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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
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The full workshop fee is $1,999 NZD
Payment plans are available for an additional $200 NZD ($2.199 total), with a deposit of $500 to confirm your place
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Click on the link to view Terms and Conditions.