Capture New Zealand

Did a recent trip with Phillip and top notch from start to finish, have been on many many trips with him and there is a reason--extremely well planned, top notch subject matter, and lots of fun. Highly recommended.

I have just returned from Phillip Bartlett’s South Island of New Zealand Winter Tour, and it was the experience of a lifetime! Phillip and his assistant, Cam, escorted us to magical locations on this splendid island. We experienced and photographed stunning seascapes, magnificent mountain tops, breathtaking lake reflections, gorgeous glacial ice, and silent, misty lakeside vistas.We greeted the rising sun on one morning as it bathed us in the most vibrant warm orange glow while we photographed the Moeraki Boulders, and on another morning as it struggled to penetrate the mist hugging the tree-lined shores of a silent pond as we captured mysterious, minimalist images. We bid adieu to the sun from what felt like the top of the world, atop a jagged peak in Fiordland National Park, reached via an exciting helicopter ride. We experienced the thrill of photographing Fox Glacier from the open door of a helicopter, and we saw the grandeur of the Milford Sound by boat tour on a morning which served up picture-perfect weather.Phillip shared locations showcasing the best of the South Island. Some are well-known and not to be missed, and some off the beaten track, providing a more intimate glimpse of this magnificent island.I appreciate the professionalism with which Philip runs his business. He and Cam are extremely competent, personable, and delightful to spend time with. They are clearly committed to ensuring that their clients have a fantastic experience. Phillip provides expert photographic assistance tailored to the desires of each client. I was grateful for composition instruction exceeding anything I have received before. Others enjoyed the freedom to photograph these stunning locations with less assistance.From arrival to departure, Phillip ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience. The accommodations were terrific, the food plentiful and delicious. And the coffee! What a treat the coffee was. The vehicles were comfortable and driven with confidence, skill, and attention to passenger comfort. My fellow travelers were a joy to spend time with.The trip was a magnificent experience in terms of photographic opportunities and results. The sheer joy of standing in some of the most beautiful locations on earth was priceless.I hope to be able to join Phillip on a future adventure!

Capture New Zealand Photo Expeditions (Phillip Bartlett) workshops are excellent. They are meticulously planned and everything is taken care of. There is always a plan B should a change in weather cause a change of location. Phillip makes sure you are always at the right place at the right time for maximum photographic opportunities. You will see beautiful places off the beaten track that you would never find on your own. Phillip gives expert professional guidance to every individual and ensures everyone is getting the best out of every location. I highly recommend these workshops.I have done 7 trips with Phillip and they are always great fun and informative. You will go home with unique images and great memories.

Phillip runs exceptional tours in both New Zealand and Indonesia. I have had the chance to try both countries. As a Kiwi, Phillip knows all the in’s and out’s of both the north and south islands of New Zealand. In our case, he was able to direct us to private locations around the country to capture the majestic landscapes in New Zealand.And while definitely a British subject with Anglo-Saxon roots, Phillip does an excellent job of opening up Indonesia to foreign photographers and tourists. He speaks the language and also understands the culture making it easy for trip participants to experience local culture in an true, non-tourist way.With both trips there was a primary focus on photography. For those with nice, real cameras this program is ideal. That said, folks with high-end iPhones were able to capture some amazing images with the exception of long distance shots. Phillip is pragmatic and is happy however his tour participants capture their images.

The South Island of New Zealand contains some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and being led around by someone so experienced in the terrain as well as reading the weather (I swear that Phillip works as a part-time meteorologist) gives you the best possible opportunities to capture amazing photographs. Phillip tailors his teaching style to your abilities and he has helped me a lot to refine the way I compose an image on the field. Additionally, being able to discuss and share ideas with a professional photographer throughout the workshop was invaluable - I now have a better sense of the overall aesthetic and style that I would like to put across in my work.This is definitely not one of those run-of-the-mill photo tours - expect to be immersed in surroundings far-flung from the beaten track, devoid of large coach buses filled with tourists. There was a day that we spent in a valley around Te-Anau and except for the passing farmers, we had the entire place to ourselves to experience and photograph. Takes someone with an intimate knowledge of the region to find places like this!However, going off the beaten track doesn't mean it has to be uncomfortable. Phillip has curated a list of accommodations that are comfortable, clean and spacious. There is always good food along the way and he knows where the best coffee and hot chocolate can be had.This was my first trip with Phillip and certainly not my last. I hope to join him for other adventures in the near future.

We have just completed a fourth trip with Phillip. I can't speak highly enough of the photographic experiences that Phillip provides to his clients. We spent 12 days touring the South Island and saw many of the iconic sights. And saw some unique landscapes, and had some unique experiences, which is Phillip's specialty.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We recently visited Indonesia with Phillip as our guide. It is the best international trip that we have taken. Phillip led us for two weeks to some of the great locations in Indonesia. Nights sailing on the Sunda Sea, sunrise at Padar, visits with the Komodo Dragons and the Orangutans of Kalimantan.This was our second trip with Phillip (Indonesia and New Zealand) and he has exceeded our expectations both times.