
2025 Alpha Awards Photo Competition
Terms and conditions apply.*
Join me for a weekend photographing one of NZ's most epic coastal locations. Wharariki Beach is often described as the best beach in New Zealand and there are so many different and incredible compositions to be found here. We will explore the whole Golden Bay region over the weekend visiting locations such as Cape Farewell, Farewell Spit, the beaches of Golden Bay, The Grove Reserve, Kaihoka Lakes, Salisbury Falls and the Motueka shipwreck.
Due to the remote location of the workshop, accommodation in Golden Bay (AirBnB) and transport from Nelson Airport is fully covered in the workshop fee.
This weekend photography workshop will teach you how to improve your composition, master your camera's settings and learn how different filters will enhance the images you capture. You'll also discover easy Lightroom techniques to turn your original raw files into stunning landscape images.
Friday approx 12pm
We will meet at Nelson Airport and travel together to Golden Bay (approx 2.5 hours).
Friday evening
We will head down to Wharariki Beach to capture the sunset at this amazing beach taking advantage of low tide for the best compositions. In the evening we will take the opportunity to photograph the night skies if it is clear.
Saturday morning
We will choose a sunrise location at one of the beaches nearby before exploring local landmarks such as Salisbury Falls to practice long exposures with flowing water and Kaihoka Lakes/The Grove Reserve for different styles of photography .
Saturday afternoon
The afternoon will be spent undertaking an indepth session in Lightroom editing images from the weekend so far and learning techniques to get the best results from you images.
Saturday evening
We will choose a sunset location based on the group preference and weather conditions in the area (potentially returning to Wharariki Beach if the group is keen and the weather is good). Astrophotography will also be planned after dark if the skies are clear.
Sunday morning
There are plenty of options for a local sunrise within a short drive so we will pick a location based on group preference before heading back to our accommodation for breakfast and to pack up.
Sunday approx 2pm
If there is time on the way back to Nelson we will stop in at the Jamie Seddon shipwreck in Motueka for one last photographic opportunity. You will leave the workshop overflowing with a wealth of new knowledge, exhilarated by the weekend experiences and keen to try out all the new techniques and tips you have learned.