Kevin Prince Photography
New Zealand Photography Tours
Want to capture New Zealand's most photogenic landscapes without needing to act like a mountain goat or be a hardened tramper to reach them?
So do most people.
I run small-group and private photography tours across New Zealand, taking you to the country's iconic locations and also to quieter, lesser-known spots that carry their own kind of magic - all chosen because they're both amazing to photograph and easy to reach, with no long treks or difficult climbs required. Whether you're picking up a camera properly for the first time or you're an experienced shooter after new locations and sharper technique, these tours are built to suit you, your pace, and your goals.
So do most people.
I run small-group and private photography tours across New Zealand, taking you to the country's iconic locations and also to quieter, lesser-known spots that carry their own kind of magic - all chosen because they're both amazing to photograph and easy to reach, with no long treks or difficult climbs required. Whether you're picking up a camera properly for the first time or you're an experienced shooter after new locations and sharper technique, these tours are built to suit you, your pace, and your goals.
What to Expect
Every tour is planned around getting you to the right place at the right time, without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads before sunrise or guessing where the light will fall best. That local knowledge is at the heart of what a guided tour offers - knowing which spots work in which conditions, and which ones reward a short, easy walk rather than a demanding one.
Groups stay small so there's real one-on-one guidance throughout, whether that's help with composition or camera settings. Days are shaped around the light rather than the clock - often starting before sunrise and finishing after the evening's best colour has faded - with time in-between to, rest, talk about your own photography journey and to travel to the next location.
New Zealand's weather can turn quickly, so itineraries stay flexible. If conditions shift, we reposition to make the most of what's actually happening rather than sticking rigidly to a plan that no longer fits. And because every location on the itinerary is chosen for easy access, you can focus on making images rather than on the physical challenge of getting there - this applies equally to a beginner finding their feet and an experienced photographer wanting a relaxed, well-organised trip.
For those interested, select tours and locations also offer the chance to photograph New Zealand's night skies - some of the clearest and darkest in the world - as an optional part of the itinerary rather than the main focus.
Groups stay small so there's real one-on-one guidance throughout, whether that's help with composition or camera settings. Days are shaped around the light rather than the clock - often starting before sunrise and finishing after the evening's best colour has faded - with time in-between to, rest, talk about your own photography journey and to travel to the next location.
New Zealand's weather can turn quickly, so itineraries stay flexible. If conditions shift, we reposition to make the most of what's actually happening rather than sticking rigidly to a plan that no longer fits. And because every location on the itinerary is chosen for easy access, you can focus on making images rather than on the physical challenge of getting there - this applies equally to a beginner finding their feet and an experienced photographer wanting a relaxed, well-organised trip.
For those interested, select tours and locations also offer the chance to photograph New Zealand's night skies - some of the clearest and darkest in the world - as an optional part of the itinerary rather than the main focus.
Best Locations for Landscape Photography Tours in New Zealand
New Zealand packs an extraordinary range of scenery into a small area, and tours are built around the regions that offer the best mix of iconic and lesser-known photography opportunities - all reachable without difficult terrain.
And for those who do want to stretch their legs on longer treks you’ll find a list of photo tours below that can be chosen if you want to reach more challenging to access photography locations.
Tours can focus on a single region covering an area in one day or combine several areas across a multi-day itinerary, always built around locations that don't require technical hiking ability to reach.
Note – many of the photography locations are within a few steps of the vehicle while others require a moderate level of fitness and can be up to one to one and half hours walk .
And for those who do want to stretch their legs on longer treks you’ll find a list of photo tours below that can be chosen if you want to reach more challenging to access photography locations.
Tours can focus on a single region covering an area in one day or combine several areas across a multi-day itinerary, always built around locations that don't require technical hiking ability to reach.
Note – many of the photography locations are within a few steps of the vehicle while others require a moderate level of fitness and can be up to one to one and half hours walk .
Easy to Access Locations
Coromandel Peninsula — Dramatic coastline, sea caves, and golden-hour beaches, with plenty of easily accessible viewpoints alongside the well-known spots.
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Bay of Plenty/Rotorua/Waikato— Volcanic landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, and coastal scenery, much of it just a short, easy walk from the car.
Taupo/Tongariro – Magical locations around Lake Taupo including The Taupo Tree and dramatic Volcanic landscapes across Tongariro National Park.
Taupo/Tongariro – Magical locations around Lake Taupo including The Taupo Tree and dramatic Volcanic landscapes across Tongariro National Park.
Taranaki Towering sea stacks at Tongaporutu (Three Sisters Rocks), beautiful rolling countryside, an iconic lighthouse, and mountain drives to a magical waterfall.
Marlborough/Nelson – Vineyards, Lighthouse grandeur, mystical bush and beach locations plus the amazing Split Apple Rock all within easy reach.
Mackenzie Country/Aoraki Mount Cook — Turquoise lakes, alpine scenery, and some of the best dark skies on the planet, with several of the country's most photogenic viewpoints requiring little more than a short stroll.
Mackenzie Country/Aoraki Mount Cook — Turquoise lakes, alpine scenery, and some of the best dark skies on the planet, with several of the country's most photogenic viewpoints requiring little more than a short stroll.
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Canterbury/Wider South Island — High country landscapes, gorges, and mountain scenery, including a number of quieter locations away from the main tourist routes.
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Central Otago/Queenstown/Milford Sound – A tapestry of landscapes from old gold dredgings with unbelievable lakes and history to the iconic Queenstown region and the magical road to Milford Sound.
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South Island’s West Coast – Rugged mountain vistas within easy reach, glaciers, New Zealand’s iconic Lake Matheson with sensational reflections, Hokitika Gorge and much more.
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More Challenging to Access Locations
The Tongariro Crossing - this location that will need extra fitness and a long hike (20km) if you wanted to experience dramatic alpine volcanic landscape https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tongariro-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/tongariro-alpine-crossing/
Pouakai Tarns - For those that want a challenging climb to one of the globes iconic photographic reflection locations then this is the one for you. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/te-papa-kura-o-taranaki/things-to-do/tracks/mangorei-track/
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Roy's Peak – A well developed track to access on of New Zealand’s most famous views with a mountain vista that has to be seen to be believed . https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/wanaka-area/things-to-do/roys-peak-track/
Lake Marian – For those who want to witness a pristine mountain lake environment and are prepared to tackle a challenging track to get there then Lake Marian in something to behold and I haven’t meet anyone who didn’t marvel at the tranquil and peaceful setting that is Lake Marian. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-marian-track/
And for those that just want a 20 minute stroll to some beautiful waterfalls then go no further than the Lake Marian Falls. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-marian-falls-track/
And for those that just want a 20 minute stroll to some beautiful waterfalls then go no further than the Lake Marian Falls. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-marian-falls-track/
Best Time of Year for Landscape Photography in New Zealand
New Zealand rewards photographers in every season - the right time to visit depends on the look and experience you're after.
Autumn brings warm colour to trees, lakes, and rural landscapes, along with settled, often stable conditions that suit a wide range of photography. Autumn in Arrowtown can be especially rewarding
Winter delivers snow-capped mountains, dramatic weather, and quieter locations for a moodier, more atmospheric result - along with some of the clearest night skies of the year.
Spring offers fresh green landscapes, flowing waterfalls, and flowering lupins in parts of the South Island, with a real sense of renewal in the scenery.
Summer provides long daylight hours and easy access to more locations, making it a great choice for those wanting to fit in as much as possible.
Because itineraries are planned around the strengths of each season, there's no wrong time to book a tour- just a different kind of New Zealand to capture.
Autumn brings warm colour to trees, lakes, and rural landscapes, along with settled, often stable conditions that suit a wide range of photography. Autumn in Arrowtown can be especially rewarding
Winter delivers snow-capped mountains, dramatic weather, and quieter locations for a moodier, more atmospheric result - along with some of the clearest night skies of the year.
Spring offers fresh green landscapes, flowing waterfalls, and flowering lupins in parts of the South Island, with a real sense of renewal in the scenery.
Summer provides long daylight hours and easy access to more locations, making it a great choice for those wanting to fit in as much as possible.
Because itineraries are planned around the strengths of each season, there's no wrong time to book a tour- just a different kind of New Zealand to capture.
What Gear to Bring
You don't need every piece of camera equipment you own - just a kit you're comfortable using in the field.
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera
- A wide-angle lens for landscapes, plus a mid-range or telephoto lens for details and compressed mountain scenes
- A sturdy tripod, essential for long exposures, low light, and night photography
- Polarising and neutral density filters, useful for water, reflections, and changing light
- Spare batteries and memory cards - full days behind the camera use more than you'd expect
- A way to back up images while travelling or sufficient memory cards to save your images until you’re able to download them for processing.
Pricing, Settlement and Booking Requirements
Tour pricing varies depending on length, region, and group size, with full pricing confirmed at the time of enquiry. A non-refundable 20% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due one month ahead of the tour start date. Payment can be made by bank transfer.
What's included - accommodation, transport during the tour, and guiding – all of this is confirmed during the booking process after itinerary details have been decided, along with a full gear checklist once your place is secured.
What’s not included – meals, entry fees to museums/art galleries and incidental expenses (Currently there are no fees to access New Zealand beaches or National Parks)
Indicative cost minimum two pax. – half day tour NZ$349/person, full day tour NZ$499/person. Longer duration tours incur a reduced per person cost.
Tour options are often booked out 6 months in advance so pre-planning and early inquiry is advised.
What's included - accommodation, transport during the tour, and guiding – all of this is confirmed during the booking process after itinerary details have been decided, along with a full gear checklist once your place is secured.
What’s not included – meals, entry fees to museums/art galleries and incidental expenses (Currently there are no fees to access New Zealand beaches or National Parks)
Indicative cost minimum two pax. – half day tour NZ$349/person, full day tour NZ$499/person. Longer duration tours incur a reduced per person cost.
Tour options are often booked out 6 months in advance so pre-planning and early inquiry is advised.
Terms and Conditions
Please ensure you read and understand the Photo Tour Terms and Conditions will which require your signed agreement at the commencement of the tour.
Your Guide and Host
Kevin Prince
I’m a professional New Zealand's landscape photographer with a passion for providing travellers easy access to this beautiful country’s most iconic photography locations – including some unbelievable night sky locations. My work takes me across both islands, from the wild coastline of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty to the alpine scenery of the Mackenzie and Canterbury high country.
Before photography, my time outdoors was spent surfing, hiking, and skiing around New Zealand and this background together with photography travel across the country is why I know this country's landscapes as well as I do. I love sharing that knowledge, whether it's helping you nail a composition, assisting with camera management, or simply getting to a spot you'd never have found on your own. I'm looking forward to showing you around.
I’m a professional New Zealand's landscape photographer with a passion for providing travellers easy access to this beautiful country’s most iconic photography locations – including some unbelievable night sky locations. My work takes me across both islands, from the wild coastline of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty to the alpine scenery of the Mackenzie and Canterbury high country.
Before photography, my time outdoors was spent surfing, hiking, and skiing around New Zealand and this background together with photography travel across the country is why I know this country's landscapes as well as I do. I love sharing that knowledge, whether it's helping you nail a composition, assisting with camera management, or simply getting to a spot you'd never have found on your own. I'm looking forward to showing you around.
Visit my Online Print Store or Contact Me to make purchasing inquiries. All prices are In NZ dollars.
Get in Touch
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
New Zealand |
CELL: +64 (0) 21 446 612
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