For a long time, I resisted travelling to New Zealand for a photography tour. I had this prevailing thought in my mind about how it was going to be similar to Canada, and that I wouldn’t find myself “excited” to chase images there.
However, on my 2024 scouting trip to New Zealand, I kind of fell in love.
Sure, New Zealand has similarities to my home country of Canada. But it’s also so unique. The rainforests are absoulte magic. The coastlines are stunning. The mountains are extremely photogenic. It’s one of those countries that makes you feel surrounded by nature; embraced by it.
In 2027, I’ll be continuing my exploration of New Zealand. In fact, there will be 2 photograph tours to New Zealand in 2027. The first will be a scouting trip of the north island. The second, a classic photography tour to all the most iconic photo spots on the south island. Of course, if you’re interested, you can do both.
New Zealand South Island Photo Tour: April 10-20, 2027
Info
The goal of this trip is to photograph some of the most iconic locations in New Zealand during the autumn colours.
This will be more of a “classic” photography tour built around putting you in the absoute best places to make some incredible photos.
Cost/Dates
- Dates: April 10-20, 2027
- Start / End City: Christchurch, New Zealand
- Days: 11
- Maximum Group Size: 10
- Trip Style: Classic
- Fitness Level: Low. No fitness level needed. However, some walks optional.
- Price: €5,200 (€900 deposit)
- Optional Single Supplement: €1,700
Book Now
If you’re interested in joining the classic trip, please make a deposit below. The final payments will be due 120 days prior to the trip’s start date.
What’s Included
- Transport within Tour Dates
- Accommodation within Tour Dates
- Breakfast on Tour Dates
- Local Entrance Fees / Permits
- Photography Instruction by Brendan van Son
- Local Photographer instruction
What’s Not Included
- Transport to/from the trip’s start/end point.
- Visas for the New Zealand (if needed)
- Lunch, Dinner and Snacks.
The Itinerary
For the classic tour of the South Island, the itineary is set in stone. There is limited accommodation in many of the locations so we can’t be as flexible as the scouting trip below. That said, we’re always flexible in the physical locations at each destination and the small details of the intinerary can and will change.
Day 1 – Arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand. Meet the team, gear prep and organization.
Day 2 – Drive south to Moeraki. Photograph the famous boulders at sunset and for astro (if conditions behave).
Day 3 – After sunrise at Moeraki, we head south to the incredible Nugget Point.
Day 4 – Today, the goal is waterfalls. We’ll see some of the most beautiful temperate rainforest on the planet as well.
Day 5 – After a bit of a long drive, we’ll end up in the natural wonder that is Milford Sound.
Day 6 – We’ll have the full day to explore Milford Sound, including a boat cruise through the fjord.
Day 7 – Leaving Milford Sound, we’ll head north towards the beautiful Wanaka area.
Day 8 – From Wanaka, we’ll head uphill toward the towering peaks and glaciers of the Mt Cook / Aoraki area. This place will blow your mind!
Day 9 – We’ll spend the entire day in the mountains photographing various scenes. If weather permits, we’ll have a chance to try some astro photography up here as well.
Day 10 – Return to Christchurch in the evening.
Day 11 – Tour ends after breakfast.
North Island Scouting Trip: March 31 – April 10, 2027
Info
The scouting trip will start in Aukland and end in Christchurch. This will be a small group, with the goal of finding all the coolest photo locations on the north island of New Zealand.
These scouting trips are the closest you will get to being on a travel photography assigment with me.
Of course, this trip ends at the start of the classic trip, if you’d like to join both.
Costs/Dates
- Dates: March 31 – April 10, 2027
- Start / End City: Aukland / Christchurch, New Zealand
- Days: 11
- Maximum Group Size: 6
- Trip Style: Scouting
- Fitness Level: Medium. Potentially some walking/hiking to locations.
- Price: €4,600 (€900 deposit)
- Optional Single Supplement: €1,400
Book Now
To join, please make the booking at the link below. Final payments are due 120 days prior to the tour’s start date.
The itinerary
The scouting trips are a fairly unique product I offer. While many travel photographers build completely set itineraries based on some classic photography locations, I like to offer something a little bit different with my scouting trips.
With my scouting trips, I bring only a very small group of people. With that group, we go out in a region with one goal only: to explore.
Obviously, we want to make great photos too. But the goal above all else is to explore and see as much of a region as possible within the time frame.
We go into these trips without a set itinerary so we can stay as flexible as possible. Instead, we work as a team to try to work the weather conditions, the locations we find, and follow the conditions. It’s these scouting trips where I feel like we actually have the most fun, and actually make the best photos.
The goal: have a unique experience and have a whole lot of fun with travel and photography.
Some of the location I have in mind for this North Island Scouting trip: Cape Reinga, Cathedral Cove, Piha Beach, Mount Ngauruhoe, Redwoods Forest, Tane Mahuta, and Puponga (south island).
Book Here
Meet The Workshop Instructors
Brendan has been a professional travel photographer for over a decade. Over those years, he’s visited over 100 countries and worked for some of the world’s most renowned companies and publications.
His journeys around the world are documented on his travel photography YouTube Channel.
For the scouting trip, Brendan will be the only leader. For the South Island trip, Brendan will have a local photographer joining him to assist.
Can’t Join Us?
If you can’t join us in New Zealand but would like information on future travel photography workshops around the world, please sign up to the newsletter below.
At the moment we have trips to places like Brazil and Namibia – among many other amazing photography destinations. We’d love for you to join us out in the world.
