South Island Signature Photography Workshop

New Zealand South Island with ERIN JACOB

28 August - 08 September 2027

  • 12 days / 11 nights

  • Single Occupancy: NZD $13,995 (approx. USD $8,125)

  • Deposit: NZD $2,400 (approx. USD $1,395)

  • Group Size: max 8 participants

RESERVE MY SPOT
Foggy mountain valley with winding road, steep cliffs, and overcast sky.
Icebergs in Tasman Lake at sunrise, with the first rays of light touching the tip of Aoraki/Mount Cook in the background, South Island, New Zealand, captured during a landscape photography workshop.
Marian Creek, Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand, showcasing the serene waters and surrounding alpine scenery, captured during a landscape photography workshop
A waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs surrounded by lush green foliage in a forest.
Aerial view of the braided river from Tasman Lake. Aoraki/Mount Cook in the background. South Island, New Zealand, captured during a photography workshop
Sunrise over Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, with the Remarkables mountain range in the background, South Island, New Zealand, captured during a landscape photography workshop.
Hoar frost-covered trees near Twizel, New Zealand, with a misty, frozen landscape creating a serene winter scene
A scenic landscape featuring snow-capped mountains partly shrouded in clouds, a body of water reflecting the sky, and a rocky shoreline with patches of moss and small pools.
Kea bird perched on a signpost in the mountains of South Island, New Zealand, captured during photography workshop.
Scenic mountain landscape with dirt trail, grassy hills, and blue sky with clouds.
A snow-capped mountain rising above a body of water with rocks, under a partly cloudy sky at dusk or dawn.
A small stone church with a pointed roof and a cross on top, surrounded by tall grasses and rocks, with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky at dusk.
Snow-capped mountains during sunset over a calm lake with a dock and a small pier with street lamps, reflecting the pinkish light.
Stream flowing over rocks in a lush green forest.
Frost-covered plants and trees by icy water with foggy, snow-covered landscape in the background
A snowy landscape with mountains in the background, a calm body of water in the foreground, and a cloudy sky overhead.

The Low Down: New Zealand's Ultimate South Island Photography Journey

Join me on an immersive photography adventure through some of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes. From the mountains and lakes of Queenstown and Wanaka to the alpine grandeur of Aoraki / Mount Cook and the dramatic wilderness of Fiordland National Park, this workshop brings together many of the South Island's most rewarding photography locations in one unforgettable journey.

Over 11 days, we'll photograph snow-capped mountains, turquoise glacial lakes, waterfalls, braided rivers, and rugged alpine landscapes. With multiple nights spent in each region, we'll have the flexibility to work with changing weather and light, allowing us to focus on creating the strongest images possible rather than rushing between locations. 

This workshop has been timed around the new moon, providing the best opportunity to photograph the night sky beneath some of the darkest skies in the Southern Hemisphere, along with a cruise through Piopiotahi / Milford Sound for a unique photographic perspective of Fiordland's towering cliffs, waterfalls, and dramatic peaks. 

Combining iconic locations, hidden gems, expert guidance, and a relaxed small-group experience, this workshop has been designed for photographers who want the time and flexibility to fully immerse themselves in some of New Zealand's most extraordinary landscapes.

    • Begin the workshop with a welcome dinner in Queenstown, giving you the opportunity to meet the group, settle in, and ease into the experience before photography begins.

    • Enjoy single-occupancy accommodation throughout the workshop, giving you your own private space to relax and recharge each evening.

    • Spend multiple nights in key photography regions, allowing time to work with changing weather and light rather than rushing between locations.

    • Enjoy a cruise through Piopiotahi / Milford Sound, providing unique photographic opportunities beneath towering cliffs, waterfalls, and dramatic peaks.

    • Benefit from hands-on guidance in the field, with practical tuition on light, composition, camera technique, and creative decision-making.

    • Travel with a small group of like-minded photographers, with plenty of individual support and opportunities to learn at your own pace.

    • Return to Queenstown for a final night's accommodation after our last day in the field, allowing time to unwind, share images, enjoy a relaxed finish to the workshop, and depart the following day refreshed.

    • Enjoy a fully supported experience with accommodation, transport, and logistics taken care of, allowing you to focus on photography and the experience of being in these remarkable places.

  • The South Island Signature Photography Workshop begins in Queenstown, where you'll settle in, meet the group, and enjoy a welcome dinner before our first sunrise session. We'll spend time exploring the Queenstown and Glenorchy region, photographing mountain landscapes, braided rivers, native forest, and the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

    From there, we'll journey through some of the South Island's most spectacular landscapes, including the Southern Lakes, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, and Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area.

    This workshop has been designed to spend longer in each region, giving us the opportunity to explore locations more thoroughly and make the most of changing conditions. By spending several nights in each area, we have the flexibility to adapt to weather and light, allowing us to choose locations that best suit the conditions rather than being locked into a rigid itinerary.

    Several days are dedicated to Aoraki / Mount Cook and the wider Mackenzie Basin, a region renowned for its towering peaks, glacial lakes, braided rivers, tussock-covered valleys, and some of the darkest night skies in the world.

    Fiordland National Park provides a completely different landscape, with ancient valleys, waterfalls, alpine scenery, and some of New Zealand's most dramatic mountain environments. A cruise through Piopiotahi / Milford Sound offers a unique photographic perspective of the fiord's towering cliffs, waterfalls, and dramatic peaks.

    The workshop also explores the landscapes surrounding Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park. From alpine valleys and mountain scenery to waterfalls, native forest, and crystal-clear rivers, this region offers an incredible variety of photographic opportunities and some of the South Island's most spectacular landscapes.

    The workshop concludes with our return to Queenstown, where we'll spend a final night before departing the following day.

    Rather than following a fixed shooting schedule, each day is planned around the conditions we encounter, allowing us to make the most of the photographic opportunities available at the time.

    Throughout the workshop, you'll receive hands-on photography guidance in the field, along with practical support to help you improve your landscape photography, develop your creative vision, and return home with a strong portfolio of images from some of New Zealand's most rewarding landscapes.

  • Accommodation has been carefully selected for its comfort, location, and proximity to the photography locations we'll be visiting. All participants will have their own private room throughout the workshop.

    • $13,995* - single occupancy
      approx. USD $8,125

    To confirm your space on the workshop, a non-refundable deposit of $2,400* (approx. USD $1,395) is required. Balance of workshop is payable 90 days before prior to the workshop start date.

    *All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars. Please see T&C’s

    By booking this workshop, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please review them here

    • Accommodation from the 28th August – 8th September 2027.

    • Daily breakfast, either at the accommodation or at a local café. Where breakfast is provided at a café, one barista-made coffee or tea is included

    • Welcome dinner on August 28th

    • Transportation for the duration of the workshop

    • Entrance to National Parks

    • Use of MAVENmagnetic neutral density and polariser filters

    • Flights and transfers to and from New Zealand

    • Visas and travel insurance

    • Alcohol

    • All meals, except for daily breakfast and the welcome dinner on August 28th

    • Additional café purchases, snacks, beverages, and extra barista-made coffees beyond those included with breakfast

    • DSLR or Mirrorless camera

    • Variety of lenses that range from wide (24mm or wider) to telephoto (70-200mm or longer)

    • Sturdy tripod

    • Shutter cable release

    • Filters - Neutral Density and CPL

    • Spare batteries and SD cards

    • Laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop installed

  • What level of photography experience is required?
    All of my workshops are designed for photographers with a basic understanding of their camera equipment. If you know how to adjust settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, you're good to go! I’ll help you refine your skills and explore advanced techniques in the field.

    What kind of fitness level is needed?
    A moderate fitness level is sufficient. While we won’t be scaling mountains, some locations may involve walking on uneven terrain, gentle hikes, or carrying your gear for short distances. If you can handle these, you'll be comfortable throughout the workshop.

    What will the daily schedule look like?
    Each day is tailored to maximize the best light for photography. Expect early starts for sunrise shoots, travel between destinations during the day,  and evening sessions for sunset or astrophotography. We also include breaks for meals, rest, and editing discussions. Drive times between locations vary, but we aim to keep it manageable, often around 2-3 hours with opportunity for photography along the way.

    What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
    New Zealand’s weather can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the adventure! We embrace all conditions, as dramatic weather often leads to stunning images. If outdoor shooting isn’t possible, we’ll dive into editing sessions or post-processing techniques until the weather clears.

    What will the temperature be like during the workshop?
    From May to October, South Island temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F) during the day, with colder mornings and nights, often dropping to freezing or below in alpine areas. Snow is possible at higher elevations, while lower areas typically enjoy crisp, clear days. A recommended gear and clothing list will be sent to you upon registration to help you prepare for these conditions.

RESERVE MY SPOT
Moss-covered canyon with clear blue water flowing over rocks
Snow-capped mountains with glacial river and icebergs at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand.
A moss-covered rocky stream in a lush forest.
Snow-covered mountains and icebergs on a calm lake at sunset.
A mountain landscape featuring a river flowing through a forested valley surrounded by steep, rugged mountains under a cloudy sky.
A serene landscape featuring a body of water with fallen trees along the shore, mountains partially covered in mist in the background, and a sky filled with dark, dramatic clouds with hints of light breaking through.
Snow-covered mountain range with pink sky at sunrise, winding road, and lake in foreground.
A large mountain with snow patches on its slopes, partially covered by clouds, surrounded by water with rocks in the foreground.
Line of utility poles with power lines against a gray, overcast sky, stretching across a snow-covered flat landscape.
Snow-capped mountains reflected in a calm, icy blue lake with icebergs and rocks in the foreground during dusk.
A calm lake with a wooden dock and a railing, surrounded by grassy banks, reflecting the sky and distant snow-capped mountains during sunset.
Snow-covered landscape with an old metal building, utility pole, and a snow fence in the foreground. Overcast sky and distant snowy hills and trees in the background.
A serene landscape featuring a calm lake with a solitary tree partly submerged near the shore, golden autumn foliage on trees lining the opposite bank, and majestic snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A wooden dock extends into a calm body of water with a hilly landscape and snow-capped mountains in the background, under a colorful sky during sunset or sunrise.
A wooden dock extends into a calm lake, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
Black and white photograph of a calm body of water with seven old wooden posts sticking out, some with seagulls perched on top. In the background, there are dark hills and a cloudy sky.
Snow-covered mountains and shoreline beside a calm body of water under a cloudy sky.
A snow-covered landscape with a small stone church in the foreground, surrounded by snow and trees, with a mountain in the background and a purple-pink sky.
Frost-covered plants in a cold winter landscape with a frozen body of water and snow-covered trees in the background.
A serene fjord landscape at sunset with tall, steep mountains partially covered in clouds and fog, calm water reflecting the mountains and sky, with some rocks in the foreground.
A flowing mountain stream with clear water, rocks, and lush green forest in the background.
Snow-covered mountain range during sunset with pink and purple clouds in the sky.
Snow-covered mountain range with ridges and peaks, illuminated by sunlight.
A mountain landscape with brown grassy slopes and rugged peaks under a partly cloudy sky.
Snow-capped mountains behind a dense green forest, with a calm body of water in the foreground reflecting the landscape.
Majestic snow-capped mountains overlooking a calm glacial lake dotted with floating icebergs, under a clear purple sky during sunset.
A wooden dock extending into a calm body of water at dusk, illuminated by a streetlamp at the end of the dock. The sky is cloudy and dimly lit, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A cascading waterfall flowing through a lush green forest with trees and moss-covered rocks.
RESERVE MY SPOT