Winter Landscapes Photography Tour

2027 Tour Dates : 5 – 11 July 2027 / 6 Nights / 7 Days

Designed to take advantage of the unique light and conditions of winter, this photography tour focuses on capturing the South Island at its most dramatic. Short days, clear air, and snow-covered landscapes create ideal conditions for strong landscape photography.

The tour begins in the Ashburton Lakes region before continuing south to Tekapo and Twizel in the Mackenzie Country, providing access to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and the surrounding alpine landscapes. Working across these regions gives us a wide range of winter subjects, from frozen lakes and open basins to snow-covered peaks and winter rivers, all under the crisp light that winter is known for.

Winter is an amazing season to photograph the South Island, offering unique light, landscapes and a sense of scale that is unique to this time of year.

$7500 NZD

I have now been on three tours with Richard. I first did the South Island Autumn 2024 tour, then returned to do the West Coast 2024 tour. I have just done the South Island Autumn 2025 Tour. All of these tours were very well organised and great experiences. I very much recommend a photo tour with Richard.

Gerry Tang-Kong

To secure your place on this tour, please click the button and complete the confirmation form.

BOOK TOUR

WHAT TO EXPECT

During this photography tour we are up and on location before dawn and aim to stay out till after sunset – taking advantage of what can often be magical dawn and dusk light. We never rush locations and make sure that everyone is capturing the images they want. Often we are the only people at these amazing locations.

Throughout the tour you will learn a variety of in-field techniques including how to use ND, Graduated and Polarizing filters allowing you to capture beautiful photographs. You will also learn how to read the changing light conditions, identify strong compositions within the landscape and capture a variety of images types.

We share leading techniques within camera and good workflows with RAW files to ensure you are capturing amazing photographs. There is an enormous amount of knowledge shared throughout the tour on all aspects of landscape photography ensuring you are capturing stunning photographs and are able to present them to their fullest.

Over this tour our photography will include:

Tasman Lake icebergs at sunrise
Milford Sound at dawn and dusk
Autumn colour reflections in lakes and rivers
Long exposure photography of waterfalls and rivers
Remote mountain valleys and winding South Island roads
Misty mornings beneath the Southern Alps
Dramatic changing light across Fiordland and Central Otago

A Typical Day

Note: Times given are general and provided to give you a good feel for how a day is structured. Times do vary between seasons and drive and walk times vary with each location.

Our day begins early, with a meeting time around 5:30 AM to ensure we arrive at the first location well before dawn. Depending on the site, this may involve a drive of up to 45 minutes, followed by a short walk to reach our location. Upon arrival, we explore the location and begin shooting. We remain on location throughout sunrise capturing the scene as it transforms in the dawn light.

Following the morning session, we will head to a café for breakfast and coffee – this first coffee of the day always tastes amazing after an adventurous morning shooting photography. If we are changing locations, we will checkout of our accommodation and depart shortly thereafter allowing us plenty of time to settle into our new location before heading out for our evening shoot. Otherwise, we take time to relax and review the images captured during the morning, while discussing plans for the afternoon and evening photography sessions.

In the mid-afternoon, typically around 3:30 PM, we will set out for the afternoon shoot. Again this may require up to an hour’s drive. En-route, we remain attentive to potential photographic opportunities that often arise spontaneously. Our objective is to arrive at the evening location in plenty of time allowing us to explore the scene and begin shooting as the light changes throughout sunset and dusk. The day concludes with dinner at a local restaurant, where we discuss the day’s photography, share insights, and outline plans for the following day photography.

who this tour suits

This tour is designed for photographers of all levels, from keen enthusiasts through to those with more experience. It suits those who want to refine how they see, compose, and work with light in the field, in some of the most amazing scenery anywhere. Days generally start early and time is spent on location. The emphasis is on thoughtful photography, working scenes as conditions change, and coming away with a strong set of images and a clearer photographic approach.

the difference

These are not rushed, checklist-style photography trips. The focus is on small groups, thoughtful planning, and a deep understanding of each location. Years of exploring New Zealand mean we can move beyond the obvious viewpoints and work with quieter, more intentional compositions. The emphasis is on helping you grow as a photographer—seeing differently, working more deliberately, and creating images that go beyond the postcards and into something more personal and meaningful.

what you’ll take away

Beyond a collection of images, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to read light, simplify a scene, and make more intentional creative choices in the field. The aim is not just better photographs from the trip, but a more confident and thoughtful approach you can carry into your future work, wherever you are shooting. Most of all, this is designed to be the photographic journey of a lifetime through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes, including Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Fiordland National Park.

Tasman Valley at dusk as photographed on Photography Tours

Tour itinerary

The precise order of locations we visit is determined by the conditions – we allow for flexibility in our schedule and aim to be in the best locations at the right time. We have learnt that sometimes the best photographs are captured when you ‘follow the light’.

Day 1 - 2; Ashburton Lakes

We meet mid-morning in Christchurch. After introductions, we’ll run through a tour briefing covering equipment, weather conditions, and what to expect over the coming days, with time to answer any questions.

We then head west through Arthur’s Pass, with opportunities to stop and photograph dramatic mountain landscapes along the way. Once we settle into our base for the next two nights we start to explore this area which is within the Hakatere Conservation Park between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.

Over the next few days, we photograph frozen lakes, expansive open basins, and snow-covered mountains. Key locations include Lake Heron, Lakes Clearwater and Lake Camp, each offering distinct mountain -dropped compositions. We will also visit a Lord of the Rings location adding a cinematic backdrop to our photography.

Days 3: Tekapo and Backcountry Surrounds

On day 3 we head south into the Mackenzie District, spending a night at Lake Tekapo. There are fantastic options for us to explore and photograph from here including some off the beaten track back-country gems, expansive open landscapes as well as Lake Alexandrina and Lake Tekapo itself.

The short winter days allow us to take full advantage of changing light conditions, while flexibility in the itinerary ensures we can respond to the weather and make the most of every photographic opportunity.

Day 4 - 7 : Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park & Mackenzie District

For the next three nights we are based in Twizel, providing access to Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, Lake Ohau, and surrounding alpine backcountry. Snow-covered peaks, glacial basins, alpine rivers, and dramatic mountain provide a wide range of winter subjects.

We explore iconic locations including the Tasman and Hooker Valleys, Lake Pukaki, and the backcountry around Lake Ohau. Mornings and evenings are spent photographing the mountains in crisp low-angle light, while the flexible schedule allows us to revisit locations, experiment with composition, and capture scenes under changing conditions.

The tour concludes with our journey back to Queenstown, crossing the Lindis Pass, where the tussock valleys, snow-dusted mountains, and frosted landscapes offer another opportunity for photography.

Price Includes

Accommodation – Your Own Room
Transportation in quality private vehicle
Expert Landscape Photography Instruction
Carefully planned locations based on weather and light
Small group sizes – more personal and focused experience
On-location tuition in composition, light, and field technique
Support throughout the tour, from preparation to fieldwork
An unhurried pace with time to work each scene
An amazing photography adventure

Price Excludes

Airfares / Transport to and from Queenstown
Medical & Travel Insurance
Meals
Beverages & Alcohol

Further Details

What Fitness level Do I Need?

For most of the tours a medium level of fitness will be fine. There is some moderate walking required along the way but nothing too excessive.

What photographic experience do I need?

You should be familiar with the basic operations of a DSLR camera. Regardless of your skill level you will learn and experience new and exciting things.

What will I learn?

Our photo tours are designed to provide you with practical new skills and techniques – and then put these to practice in-the-field in amazing landscapes. You will be photographing alongside a guide with decades of experience and a passion for creating beautiful photographic images.

Throughout the tour you will learn a variety of in-field techniques including how to use ND, Graduated and Polarizing filters allowing you to capture beautiful photographs. You will also learn how to read the changing light conditions, identify strong compositions within the landscape and capture a variety of images types.

We share leading techniques within camera and good workflows with RAW files to ensure you are capturing amazing photographs. There is an enormous amount of knowledge shared throughout the tour on all aspects of landscape photography ensuring you are capturing stunning photographs and are able to present them to their fullest.

You will come away with new knowledge, many new images and an amazing experience that leaves you highly inspired in your own landscape photography journey.

What are the meal options on the tour?

We generally find that there are a variety of meal options applied across a typical tour. Breakfast will normally be at a cafe after a dawn photo shoot – that first coffee can be really rewarding after a early morning on location.

We always allow time to get supplies at supermarkets, bakeries or cafe’s and lunch is usually spent along the way, often in some superb spots. Dinner is usually after our evening photo shoot at a local restaurant where we can relax after a great day of photography.

Meals are not included in the tour price.

What is the Accommodation?

Our accommodation is in quality hotels, apartment studios or chalets depending on the location.

Accommodation is full single supplement ie your own room – we believe at the end of a full day of photography you will relax and refresh the best with your own room.

Group Size?

We have a maximum group size of six on our photography tours.

We have found this to be the right size to have great dynamics within the group (we have a lot of fun along the way) and allow everyone’s needs to be met in terms of learning and the overall experience.

What To Bring?

Your sense of adventure and fun – our photo tours are immersive experiences with plenty of fun along the way.

We send you a photo tour welcome package in advance of the start which offers a detailed list of what gear to bring. However a good start is:

Essentials

A DSLR or mirrorless camera and lenses (eg wide angle, mid range and telephoto)
A sturdy tripod
Memory cards – we take plenty of images
Spare batteries and recharging cables
Walking shoes, head torch, rain jacket, sun hat, gloves – we get all the weather conditions

To get the most out of this tour you should have all or some of the following filters

Polarizer, Graduated and Neutral Density (eg 3 stop & 6 stop) filters

Nice to haves

Remote shutter release

How to book your place on the tour?

To book your place on a photo tour press the ‘Book Tour’ button on any tour page and fill in the form.

We will send full bank account details allowing you to make a direct Bank Transfer (including Switch Code which is sometimes required for international transfers)

Can I pay a deposit to reserve my place?

You can pay for the tour in full or pay a deposit of $1000 to secure you a place on the tour.

Please note: The booking deposit is non-refundable. The balance is due 60 days out from the tour start date.

Full registration details will be sent once payment is received.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Can I bring someone along who is not a photographer?

Yes this is fine and normal booking is required.

This person should consider that this is a landscape photography orientated tour where our focus is getting to and being at amazing scenes often early in the morning and well into the evening. Photography is about patience and we don’t rush at these amazing locations.

What happens if I arrive late or miss the meeting point?

If you have travel delays, contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate you, possibly arranging for you to meet the group at an intermediate location without missing the rest of the tour. We highly recommend having comprehensive travel insurance for situations like this.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and equipment loss or damage.

Are the tours insured and safe?

Yes, we are fully insured with public liability coverage, and your safety is the top priority during all tours.

Any Questions

If you have any further questions on this photography tour please get in contact – we love to hear from you. You can contact us via the form on the contact us page or send an email to info@richardhume.com

WINTER LANDSCAPES PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR