Vivid & Beyond Ladies Photography Adventure

Undisclosed Location, Auckland
All Ages
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Deposit - Balance Payable 1 April 2020
NZ$ 310 (incl. fees)
Early Bird - 10% Discount
NZ$ 2,125 (incl. fees)

Pay in full now and get early bird special - 10% discount 

Single Room Add-On
NZ$ 410 (incl. fees)

Want a room on your own.

Sales for this event are closed.

The Vivid Sydney festival of lights is the feature event in this ladies-only guided photographic adventure led by Lesley Whyte and Sydney photographer Chris Tham in May 2020. For a small group of ladies keen to enhance their photographic skills, this three-day, four-night Sydney adventure is filled with opportunities for all levels, beginners to advanced.

Two nights are dedicated to Vivid, Sydney’s annual festival of lights, with a dinner cruise and the chance to take fantastic shots of the fireworks and light displays at Darling Harbour. The Beyond adventure includes two sunrise and one sunset shoot, a beach long exposure session and lots of street and urban photographic opportunities: the historic Coal Loader area with its green rooftop and old tunnels and dilapidated wharf; a visit to Redfern for the picturesque terraced houses and the aboriginal murals; a walk through Sydney’s laneways which showcase street art, graffiti and great cafés; and Manly Beach, complete with surfers.

As with all Lesley Whyte Photography adventures, all levels are catered for and beginners are very welcome, however we recommend that you are familiar with your camera’s aperture, shutter and ISO settings. Led by two photographers, Aucklander Lesley Whyte and Sydney photographer Chris Tham (Voigtländer ambassador and Mainline Photo Academy instructor), the women-only, small group setting provides you with a great learning environment, including expert guidance, instruction and personal attention according to your learning style. You will leave the workshop with new skills, new friends, inspiration in spades and some really, really, stunning photos to show off.


Friday 29th May

We meet at North Sydney Harbourview Hotel after check-in and get to know each other over dinner.

Saturday 30th May

Rug up warmly for an early morning sunrise shoot overlooking Sydney’s Harbour bridge. After breakfast we catch the ferry to Manly for some architectural photographic opportunities. At Manly Beach, we take advantage of the surf and surfers for our long exposure session. After our lunch of fish and chips on the beach, we return to the city and weave our way through Sydney’s laneways for some wonderful urban and street photography. The maze of historic laneways is a showcase of street art, graffiti and, of course, great food. Later we will have a glass of bubbles at Darling Harbour before boarding our harbour dinner cruise, and afterwards we will walk around the area photographing the spectacular Vivid fireworks and light displays. Be prepared for a late evening finish.

Sunday 31st May

Dress warmly again for our second sunrise shoot, this time at Balls Head, with views over Sydney’s upper harbour, city and the Harbour Bridge. We can also walk the tracks to find plenty of fishers to photograph. After breakfast at Coal Loader Café, we spend the morning exploring and photographing the architecture of the historic Coal Loader, including the dilapidated wharf, old tunnels and accessible green rooftop. Lunch today is at Redfern, with its 1900s terraced houses and featured indigenous murals, for more street photography and a special behind-the-scenes opportunity. Before we head to dinner, we photograph Vivid and sunset from the Bangaroo Reserve.

Monday 1st June

Not quite such an early start today. We catch the train to Town Hall Station for breakfast in town, then hit the city for more street and urban photography, and another behind-the-scenes opportunity. We will lunch back at Harbourview Hotel before meeting in a conference room to share our five favourite photos from the adventure and discuss what further processing might be required. We finish the day with our final celebration dinner, toasting our new skills, our new photography buddies and our really fantastic photos.

What you will need:

From 6.00pm on Friday 31st May until before breakfast Tuesday 2nd June, all you need to do is bring yourself, camera gear, warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes, except for:


What is not included in the price?

· Airfares / transport return to Sydney

· Transfers to/from airport and hotel

· Morning tea, afternoon tea

· Alcohol - except on Saturday night’s Harbour cruise

· Breakfast Tuesday 2nd June


What is included in the price?

· All prices quoted are New Zealand dollars

· Four nights’ accommodation at North Sydney Harbourview Hotel (4 star) - share twin room (2 per room), although you may upgrade to a single room for additional NZ$100 per night (NZ$400 in total)

· Breakfast and lunch on Saturday, Sunday and Monday

· Dinner on Friday, Sunday and Monday

· Dinner on Sydney Harbour cruise on Saturday, includes wine and beer

· Train, ferry, car travel in Sydney

· Great company, lots of fun and amazing photographic opportunities


What if I need to cancel? If you cancel after 1st April 2020, up to 7th May 2020, you will be refunded the amount you have paid, less a non-refundable amount of NZ$300 plus event management credit card fees, if applicable. If you cancel on or after 8th May 2020, you will be refunded 50% of the payments you have made.


What is the minimum number: We need a minimum of three women for the adventure to go ahead. Full refunds, less event management credit card fees, will be provided in the event of adventure being cancelled.


How many will there be on the adventure? On this adventure, there will be a maximum of 10 women.


What to pack: A list of recommended clothing to pack will be provided. You will also need to pack your camera and gear including: SD cards, tripod (preferably one which converts to monopod), variety of lenses (prime through to telephoto) and filters.


Insurance: Please have your camera equipment fully insured for your trip. Lesley Whyte Photography takes care to provide a safe adventure but does not accept responsibility for any damage or loss to your camera, lenses, tripod, other camera gear, personal items and clothing. All participants should also carry comprehensive travel insurance.


Loan equipment available: Canon 60D, tripod, backpack and a selection of Canon lenses and filters are available for use at no cost including: prime 35mm, 50mm 18-55mm, 55-250mm and a Tamron 150-600mm G2.


Do I get a discount if I pay in full now? Yes. There is an early bird special discount of 10% if you pay in full before 1stJanuary 2020.


Can I pay the deposit and the balance later? Yes, of course, pay the $300 deposit, with balance payable 1st April 2020.


Questions? Contact Lesley at [email protected] or on mobile +64 27 4747 347