September 4: Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Glenorchy

Today was the first full day of the trip, starting with a crisp morning orientation where Will Patino and & I met our fellow photographers! It was a great way to set the tone for the week, with everyone sharing their excitement for the upcoming landscapes. Armed with gear and anticipation, we set out to explore the charming tree-lined streets of Arrowtown – an historic gold mining town in New Zealand's South Island, known for its well-preserved 19th-century buildings and stunning foliage.

Arrowtown felt like stepping into a living postcard! The early afternoon light was perfect for enjoying the town’s rustic beauty while we ate a delicious lunch at Provisions of Arrowtown. Later, we drove towards Glenorchy, where the dramatic mountains rose against a backdrop of deep blue skies. The entire drive I could hear the clicking of camera shutters as we watched the winding road framed by those towering peaks.

The real magic, though, came at Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint as the day faded. Sunset bathed the landscape in pastel hues, the sky ablaze with pink and tangerine tones. As the last rays dipped below the horizon, our entire group knew this trip was going to be unforgettable.

September 5: Queenstown to Haast

We woke before dawn to capture sunrise in Queenstown, and it did not disappoint. The cool morning air bit at my ears and fingertips as I stood at the lakeshore, watching the first light of day cast a glow on the Remarkables and its surrounding mountain ranges. The reflections on the water were crystal clear, and I found myself lost in the moment as the sky shifted through an array of colors from bubblegum pink to a citrusy yellow.

Most of our day consisted of a scenic road trip toward Haast, with stops in Wānaka and at countless waterfalls and roadside overlooks throughout Mount Aspiring National Park. Every corner we turned revealed another cascading torrent of water, each more photogenic than the last, and I battled the urge to experience this visual feast of a drive through my viewfinder for as long as possible. I eventually gave into temptation, much to the delight of our cheering guests, because this was a photography trip after all!

By the time we reached the rugged coastline near Haast for sunset, the sky was moody, with streaks of pink and lavender contrasting the stormy Tasman Sea. This remote beach, part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site which is known for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife, makes it a haven for nature lovers and adventurers. We encouraged some of our guests to get knee-deep in the frigid tide, but my lens was focused on the mussels that were clinging to the strange formations created through centuries of erosion.



September 6: Mount Aspiring National Park

Although we woke up to unfavorable weather conditions, our morning was productive because we spent a good chunk of it indoors at a post-processing session where we reviewed the photos from the past two days. There’s something so satisfying about watching an image come to life on the screen after spending hours out in the field.

By the afternoon, we were back in Mount Aspiring National Park, chasing more waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Each stop was a reminder of how wildly diverse New Zealand’s landscapes are. One moment you’re deep in the forest, the next you’re standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley. The grandeur of nature here never gets old, and it’s the reason I’ll never hesitate to return to this island.

In a shocking turn of events, we wrapped up the day with another coastal sunset near Haast. I’m not calling it a mutiny, but our group was so captivated by last night’s sunset that they urged us to recreate that experience, so we found ourselves enjoying the same location albeit with cloudier and rainier skies. It was difficult to get shots with the mist and rain battling our lenses, but we used this as a lesson that sometimes, as photographers, we need to live in the moment and appreciate where we are even if we don’t get shooting material to work with. Our art relies on inspiration and a healthy mindset, and what better place to practice mindfulness than the beautiful New Zealand coastline?



September 7: Haast to Twizel and Lake Pukaki

We set off early from Haast, driving through rolling hills and mountains to Twizel. Along the way, we made a delightful stop at The Wrinkly Rams café—who could resist that name? After a quick bite and some photos of the quirky place, we continued to Lake Pukaki, where the vibrant turquoise waters seemed almost unreal.

As the evening set in, we ventured to Lake Ōhau for sunset. The sky was a brilliant mix of oranges and reds which reflected beautifully on the lake. But the best was yet to come—twilight brought the chance for astrophotography! Under the vast, star-studded skies of Lake Pukaki, we set up our tripods and aimed for the Milky Way. The most memorable part of this night was that it was a “first” for many of our guests. There’s something incredibly special about seeing the Milky Way and photographing parts of the sky you didn’t even know existed. Watching our guests discover this magical genre of photography was an unforgettable experience and I truly felt honored to be sharing this moment with them.

September 8: Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier

Waking up to another stunning sunrise at Lake Pukaki felt like a gift. The still waters mirrored the peaks in the distance, creating an almost perfect reflection that seemed to blur the line between reality and fantasy. What caught my attention was the gentle pink tone of the sky contrasting the blue shadows of the mountains. Naturally, I grabbed my 70-200mm lens and focused on some tight shots of the peaks to emphasize this duality.

Today’s adventure took us to Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier, where the sheer size and grandeur of the landscape left me speechless. The highlight of my day was seeing and photographing the peak of Mount Cook. The weather here is so temperamental that you’ll often get completely cloud-covered skies with just a hint of the mountain range perceivable. I have friends who have spent considerable amounts of time in New Zealand and never saw the majesty of Mount Cook’s peak.

Building off the high we experienced from several roadside photoshoots of Mount Cook in the distance, we decided to venture down the trail to Tasman Glacier—an otherworldly sight of blue ice. The camera never left my hand, and I tried my best to capture the scale and beauty of it all, though I’m sure no photo could truly do it justice.

September 9: Lake Tekapo and Twizel

This morning’s sunrise shoot at Lake Tekapo was nothing short of magical. Lake Tekapo is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, created by fine glacial flour suspended in the water. As we approached the lake, we couldn’t help but notice The Church of the Good Shepherd sitting proudly against a backdrop of pink and orange skies. Built in 1935, it was designed to honor the pioneering settlers of the region and features stunning stained-glass windows that frame breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The light here was so soft, so pure—perfect for photographers of any level. These are the photos we take where we find ourselves defending the authenticity of its colors and dynamic range. You truly need to witness this type of sunrise at least once in your life to understand how therapeutic these photo sessions can be for your soul.

In the afternoon, another post-processing session allowed us to refine our images and discuss new techniques we were learning along the way. Our evening concluded with an incredible meal at Poppies Café in Twizel. In fact, we ate at this restaurant every evening in Twizel because it was that outstanding. Hats off to the chef and to the team at this establishment!



September 10: Twizel to Te Anau

Sunrise at Lake Ōhau was equally as stunning as our sunset session at this location. By now, I feel like I’m running out of words to describe the beauty of this place! After a relaxing morning, we hit the road again, this time driving back towards Queenstown for lunch before continuing to Te Anau. We made it just in time for sunset at Marakura Wharf, where the stillness of the lake created a perfect mirror for the soft, golden sky.

September 11: Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park greeted us with a spectacular sunrise and the forest came alive in the early morning light. We were lucky enough to photograph the playful Kea parrots and some of us even found a Whio duck foraging for food along a babbling creek! Kea parrots are large, intelligent birds native to the mountainous regions of New Zealand. Nicknamed the “naughty alpine parrot,” these highly social curious birds are the only mountain parrots in the world. They often interact with humans and are famous for their mischievous behavior, including stealing and exploring. Kea are also remarkable problem solvers, showcasing their intelligence through complex foraging techniques and social interactions within their flocks.

The Whio, or blue duck, is a unique and endangered species native to New Zealand, known for its striking blue-grey plumage and distinctive white markings. These ducks inhabit fast-flowing rivers and streams in forested areas, relying on their excellent swimming abilities and powerful legs to navigate turbulent waters. Whio have a range of vocalizations, including a distinctive whistling call, which they use to communicate with each other, especially in pairs or family groups.

The sightings of these charismatic birds added a fun, animated twist to an otherwise tranquil morning of forest photography. Although this was primarily a landscape-focused trip, the wildlife photographers in our group had quite the day with all these entertaining photoshoots!

September 12: Monkey Island, Orepuki, and Gemstone Beach

The morning showers gave us a break from being outside today, so we spent the morning at our luxurious hotel, Radford’s on the Lake. Our initial itinerary had us on a boat tour of Milford Sound, but the road was closed because of a high risk for avalanches. Mother Nature had other plans for us because we went off-script and ventured to the southern tip of the island, exploring Monkey Island and Orepuki before ending the day at Gemstone Beach. I tracked some skeptical Variable Oystercatchers, endemic to New Zealand, and I admired their striking orange bills. The sunset here was one for the books, and I honestly think it was the single most vibrant sunset of my entire life—bright pink and orange hues against a pebbled shore scattered with unique stones and New Zealand Jade that glimmered in the light. Our final sunset on the South Island of New Zealand was a perfect symphony of colors that none of us could believe was performing right in front of our cameras.

September 13: Departure Day

Our last morning was spent in a quiet forest near Te Anau. The light filtering through the trees created a peaceful, ethereal atmosphere. After one final photoshoot, we began the drive back to Queenstown. As the mountains and lakes faded into the distance, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this trip of a lifetime. I left the island with only the memories I captured through my viewfinder, but the friends I made on this journey were, in fact, the souvenirs I’ll treasure the most!