Adventure Sports
Photography Workshop
There Are Dozens of Landscape Photography Workshops in New Zealand.
There Is Nothing Like This.
Seven days. Five adventure sports. Real athletes. Real brands. One week that changes how you shoot — and who hires you.
New Zealand’s real drawcard isn’t just its scenery. It’s the adventure sports culture that draws athletes, brands, and filmmakers from around the world. Adventure sports like mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, packrafting, and more… this is what makes Queenstown the adventure capital of the world!
But until now, there has been no multi-day, multi-sport workshop in New Zealand built specifically to train photographers to work inside that industry.
This workshop changes that.
- Queenstown, NZ
- Sept 7-13th, 2026
- 10 spots
- Starting at $7,490 NZD per person
Is This Workshop For You?
This workshop is designed for early to mid-career photographers who:
– Already know how to use their camera and want to push into professional adventure sports work
– Are building a portfolio and need real commercial imagery — not staged studio shots
– Want direct access to NZ adventure brands, operators, and industry contacts
– Are ready to invest a week in an experience that accelerates their career
– Can handle being outdoors in changeable alpine conditions (no extreme fitness required — all activities are guided)
This is NOT the right fit if:
– You are a complete beginner who has never shot with a camera before
– You want a relaxed, low-intensity classroom experience
– You are not able to bring your own camera gear
Watch this video to learn more about
the why behind this workshop...
Outcomes
Shot across 5 different sports with real athletes and guided operators.
Evening sessions with brand owners and operators who hire photographers.
Autofocus tracking, shutter speed, burst shooting, snow and water conditions.
How to pitch brands, structure licensing, and build recurring relationships.
Day 6 you will photograph The Greensteam, a real community adventure event. Not a “pretend scenario.”
Nightly editing critiques mean you leave with sequenced, deliverable work.
Your Week, Day By Day
Exact itinerary subject to weather and local conditions. In the event of changes, alternative sessions of equal value will be scheduled. Availability of business owners for session debriefs is subject to availability on the day.
Day 0 — Sunday 6 September: Arrive & Connect
Chris picks you up from Queenstown Airport at 4pm in a group van. Accommodation is covered from tonight. You’ll settle in, share a group dinner, run through the week ahead, check gear, and do individual portfolio reviews. You won’t be a stranger by the time Day 1 hits.
Day 1, Monday, Mountain Bike Photography
Ben Lomond Trails / 7 Mile Bike Park — with Treadmark MTB Coaching Spend the full day shooting sponsored athletes on berms, jumps, and technical trail sections. No riding required — you're behind the lens. Learn to anticipate movement, position yourself for impact, and direct athletes for the shot you need. Evening: Mini workshop with Seadon Baker, CEO of Ilabb — one of NZ's leading action sports brands. He'll walk you through what makes imagery get brands to pay attention, and what he looks for when hiring photographers.
Day 2, Tuesday, Packrafting Photography
Rees Valley — with Packrafting Queenstown
Hike into river terrain and photograph professional packrafting guides navigating fast water. Learn camera management near water, shooting from elevated and riverbank positions, and capturing motion and splash in challenging light.
Evening: Debrief with Huw, founder of Packrafting Queenstown — on photo licensing, working with permits near water, and how he uses imagery to drive his business.
Day 3, Wednesday, Snowshoe Photography
The Remarkables Ski Field — with Basecamp Adventures
Snowshoe into the alpine with a guided group and photograph guides and participants in dramatic mountain conditions. Burst shooting, fast shutter techniques, and working with the flat light and contrast that snow creates.
Evening: Image critique with Basecamp's lead guide and marketing manager — real feedback from someone who buys photography.
Day 4, Thursday, Snowbike Photography
Pisa Range — with SnowMoto NZ
Travel out on side-by-side 4x4 vehicles into the backcountry and direct professional snowbike riders for brand and action shots. This is as remote and cinematic as it gets. Focus on machine, rider, and landscape composition.
Evening: Evening session with the SnowMoto owner on how adventure businesses think about visual content, what they pay for, and what they're tired of seeing.
Day 5, Friday, Rock Climbing Photography
Hospital Flat, Wanaka — with Basecamp Adventures
Climb and shoot simultaneously — you'll take turns being athlete and photographer. Learn to work in a harness, shoot from above and below, and manage gear on a wall. If weather closes in, the session moves to Wanaka's indoor climbing gym.
Evening: Image review and portfolio sequencing with Basecamp's guide and marketing team.
Day 6, The Greensteam, Real Event Day
Treble Cone Ski Field, Wanaka
The Greensteam is a community event where hundreds of locals ditch their cars and bike, hike, ski tour, or snowshoe from a pub in Wanaka all the way to the ski field summit — and back. You'll travel the route with Chris, stop for scenic shots, join the summit push alongside participants, and finish the day at the pub with the whole crew.This is your capstone — a real, unrepeatable event, shot for real. Ski passes and snowshoes are organised and included.
Evening: Casual group debrief over dinner. Share your favourite shots from the week.
Day 7, Last Day Reflections
The Workshop, PIVOT Innovation — Queenstown
A late start. Final portfolio critiques and sequencing. Tour of The Workshop at PIVOT Innovation — a Queenstown maker space where product ideas become reality. Final group send-off. Van to Queenstown Airport at 4pm.
Evening: Carry on with your NZ adventure — or fly home with a portfolio that proves what you can do.
What's Included in your $7,490 (NZD)
Included:
– 8 nights shared accommodation (Sept 6–13)
– Full catering every day — breakfast, lunch, dinner (dietary needs accommodated)
– All transport — airport pickup on Day 0, group van throughout the week, airport drop on Day 7
– All activity and operator fees — Treadmark MTB, Packrafting QT, Basecamp Adventures, SnowMoto NZ
– Specialised equipment for each activity (harnesses, snowshoes, helmets as required)
– Ski passes and snowshoe access for the Greensteam day
– Evening editing and critique sessions with Chris
– Evening sessions with Queenstown business owners and brand operators
– Course materials and business strategy content
Not Included:
– Flights to and from Queenstown
– Travel, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance (highly recommended)
– Camera gear and bags — bring your own. There is NO local camera rental store in Queenstown
– Outdoor clothing and personal gear — outdoor retail shops are available in town
– Anything not specifically listed above
Note: Recommend arriving Sunday 6 Sept or the day before — accommodation is covered from the evening of the 6th.
Secure Your Spot! - Flexible Payment Plan
Reserve your place today with a 25% deposit of NZD $1,872.
Your next payment isn’t due for 60 days — giving you plenty of time to sort flights, travel plans, and gear before committing further.
Payment Schedule:
– 25% deposit (NZD $1,872) — due at booking, non-refundable, holds your spot
– 25% second payment (NZD $1,872) — due 60 days after your booking date
– 50% balance (NZD $3,746) — due 1 July 2026
Need a custom payment arrangement? Get in touch — happy to work something out.
Queenstown Adventure Operators and Businesses we will interact with
Every day you’ll be shooting alongside licensed professionals who run their businesses in this terrain year-round. These aren’t hired talent — they’re the real operators who define Queenstown’s adventure industry.
Your instructor
I’m a New York-born photographer, videographer, and educator based in Queenstown, New Zealand.
I moved to NZ in 2018 as a teacher. I built my photography business here from scratch. I was self-taught, figuring it out while working full-time, and over seven years I’ve built a career shooting some of New Zealand’s biggest adventure sports events and commercial campaigns.
My work has appeared in global tourism campaigns, at events like Crankworx, Whaka100, and the Volcanic Epic, and in collaborations with outdoor brands across New Zealand and internationally.
I built this workshop because when I was starting out, there was nothing like it in New Zealand. No multi-sport program. No access to real brands and operators. No one showing you the business side of adventure photography.
I had to figure all of that out myself. Now I want to give you the shortcut I didn’t have!
US and NZ Qualified Teacher Award Winning Adventure Photographer and Filmmaker Member of TIA (Tourism Industry Aotearoa)
What Clients Say About Working With Chris
Common Questions
What experience level do I need?
Early to mid-career. You need to know how to operate your camera, understand exposure, focus modes, and composition at a working level. You don’t need professional experience, but this is not a beginner course.
Do I need to be fit or sporty?
A reasonable level of fitness helps. All activities are fully guided by licensed operators and are manageable for beginner to intermediate adventurers. The focus is on photography, not athletic performance. But the course takes place in these outdoor environments, so some experience is beneficial.
What camera gear do I need to bring?
Bring your own camera body and lenses. There is no camera rental store in Queenstown, so I recommendorganising any rentals before you arrive. A telephoto lens (70-200mm or similar) is highly recommended for action work. We’ll discuss gear in detail once you’re booked.
What happens if weather disrupts an activity?
Queenstown weather is changeable — that’s part of working in the mountains. If a planned activity has to be cancelled, we’ll substitute an alternative session of equal value. Adventure photographers have to be adaptable, and this week will teach you that too.
Is the $7,490 price all-inclusive?
Almost entirely. It includes all accommodation (8 nights), all meals, all transport, all activity and operator fees, and specialised gear for each day. You cover your own flights to Queenstown, travel insurance, camera gear, and personal items.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. A 25% deposit ($1,872 NZD) holds your spot. Your next payment isn’t due for 60 days. The balance is due July 1st. Custom arrangements are also available — just get in touch.
I have more questions — how do I reach Chris directly?
Book a free 20-minute discovery call below. I will answer every enquiry personally
10 Spots. One Date. September 2026.
If you’ve read this far, you already know whether this is for you. The only question is whether you’re ready to commit to a week that will change how you work and who hires you.