Our workshops are designed to provide comprehensive training on a variety of topics. The length of the workshops varies depending on the complexity and depth of the subject matter. Some of our workshops are just one day in length, while others may be as long as several days. We offer a range of options to suit different schedules and learning needs, including full-day and half-day workshops, as well as intensive multi-day workshops. These workshops can be held at a variety of locations. Please note that for these workshops, a 30% deposit is required to secure your place.

We welcome all skill levels! Our photography workshops are suitable for a wide range of participants, including beginners who are new to photography as well as experienced photographers who want to improve their skills or learn new techniques. Our workshops are tailored to the goals and needs of each individual participant, so no prior photography experience is necessary.

The locations we are shooting at are mostly within easy walking distance of the transport, but a few may require more exercise. It is recommended that you have a comfortable bag for your gear and that you bring enough snacks and drinks to keep you going throughout the day. We will do our best to maintain energy levels with breaks and optional activities, but tiredness may still be a factor and for this reason some activities are optional such as sunrise and astro shoots.

To book your spot in any of our workshops, simply click the "Apply Now" button on the relevant workshop page. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly.

Once your booking is initiated, a 30% non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your place. Upon payment of this deposit, we will send you an electronic contract to sign. This contract includes crucial booking information and a waiver form, and it must be signed and returned to us to complete the booking process.

Please note that by signing the contract, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions, including our deposit and cancellation policies. It's essential to read and understand this document before returning it to us.

We're here to help, so if you have any questions regarding the booking process or the contract, do not hesitate to get in touch.

You have two primary options for making payments for our workshops. If you'd like to pay in full upfront, you can conveniently do so via our secure online payment portal, where we accept both bank transfers and credit card payments.

However, if you prefer not to pay the full amount at once, we will manually send you an invoice highlighting the 30% deposit amount required to secure your spot. This deposit can be paid through an online bank transfer.

No matter which method you choose, your payment information's safety and confidentiality are our utmost priority. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the payment process, please feel free to contact us.

In order to secure your place in any of our workshops, we require a 30% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. This deposit allows us to manage our resources effectively and ensure we can provide you with the best possible experience. Please understand that the non-refundable nature of the deposit is due to the costs we incur at the time of booking, which may include instructors' time, transportation, and accommodation expenses. However, if you're unable to attend and can find someone to take your place, we can certainly work with you to transfer your spot to them. We aim to be as accommodating as possible and are here to answer any questions you may have regarding this policy.

We understand that plans can change and sometimes circumstances might necessitate the cancellation of your workshop booking. Our cancellation policies are designed to be as accommodating as possible within the boundaries of our operational commitments.

To secure a spot in our workshops, a 30% deposit is required at the time of booking. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable as it helps us cover our upfront costs and ensure the viability of our workshops. We put substantial effort into planning and organizing our workshops, making advance reservations, and allocating resources based on the number of participants. This is why the deposit cannot be refunded.

However, we recognize that life happens. If for some reason you are unable to attend and you can find another participant to take your spot, we may be able to transfer your booking to them, subject to our discretion and their agreement to our terms and conditions.

Our workshops focus on how to use your camera, not your type of camera but ideally you would bring:

- DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode option
- Zoom lenses for landscapes / wide prime lenses for Astro
- A sturdy tripod
- Filters for landscape photography (ND’s, CPL etc.)
- Spare batteries
- Remote shutter release
- Laptop with Lightroom and/or Photoshop installed
- Memory Cards and spares

The weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable and change quickly, especially in the mountains. It's important to have multiple layers of clothing to prepare for these changes. We recommend dressing for the conditions, as we will be outside for most of the day. We will provide a more detailed list of gear for each specific workshop. However, this is a general guide:

- Walking shoes/hiking boots
- Fleece and warm outer jacket
- Warm thermal base layer
- Raincoat
- Warm hat and gloves (if it is cold)
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Plenty of snacks

Our workshops are designed to provide hands-on training to participants, allowing them to gain practical experience in the techniques covered during the workshop. With the guidance of an experienced instructor, participants will have the opportunity to actively apply what they have learned, giving them the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the material. This hands-on approach to learning is an effective way for participants to develop new skills and build confidence in their abilities. We will also be walking you through our complete editing workflow from start to finish.

The 1:5 ratio is a general guideline for the number of instructors to participants in a workshop or tour. The goal is to ensure that every participant has enough time with the instructors and can receive individualized attention and instruction. This ratio allows instructors to provide personalized instruction and feedback to each participant, which can help improve the overall experience and learning outcomes. Having more instructors can also help ensure that participants have a positive and engaging experience, and that the workshop or tour runs smoothly and efficiently.

Yes, we offer private workshops for individuals and groups who want a more personalised learning experience. Private workshops can be tailored to your specific needs and interests and can be scheduled at a time and location that is convenient for you. Please contact us for more information and to book a private workshop.

Generally speaking, we don't cancel our workshops just because of some bad weather. In fact, we actually think that rough weather can sometimes lead to some incredible photo ops. Some of our all-time favourite shots were taken in less-than-ideal conditions. If the weather isn't looking great, we'll just adjust our itinerary as needed to make the most of the situation. And if it's really stormy out, we'll just spend some extra time working on shooting and editing techniques in the classroom.

Accommodation for our photography workshops typically depends on which specific workshop you’re attending and its location.

For future announced workshops, our aim is to provide each participant with their own private room. However, there may be times when this isn't possible, particularly on extreme adventure workshops where we'll be traveling to and staying in remote alpine huts that may have multiple bunk beds. Just something to keep in mind!

We use a modern and comfortable 12-person van to transport everyone throughout the workshop or tour, which provides a comfortable and convenient way for participants to transport their equipment. Having plenty of room for all the camera gear and equipment is important to ensure a stress-free experience. Just remember that you'll need to make your own way to the meeting point at the start of the workshop.

We watch the latest weather reports to find clear skies and good locations for shooting. If necessary, we are willing to drive to these locations. If it is not possible to find good shooting locations, we will teach capture and post processing techniques in the classroom.

Our astrophotography workshops are tailored and scheduled to the time of year and the position of the Milky Way in the sky. Times will vary as each workshop states. Our workshops are designed to maximize the time for shooting the Milky Way and allow for plenty of rest during the day. Things like shooting sunrise are an optional extra.

Please feel free to email us at: hello@nzphototrips.com and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.