Below are people who have spent time with Gary as guide, workshop leader or are a general admirer of his work. (page will refresh with new testimonial order every 30 mins or so)

Thank you so much for adding your thoughts and if you haven’t already, please add your own testimonial/review using the form at the bottom of the page, takes a minute max:

At workshops:

Thank you so much for making it an amazing day. I hope to book a similar experience in the future.

I had a great time in early August on the Hidden Blue Mountains workshop with Julien, Peter and Gary Hayes. The Gardens of Stone was amazing and Gary’s photographic knowledge is immense. From angles to leading lines, processing, he knows how to convey it to you also, thanks again and catch up sometime.

Took the Astro course with Gary. Weather wasn’t that hot due to clouds but Gary put the miles in to find the best vantage points for the conditions. Very knowledgeable and happy to pass it on.

I just wanted to say how much everyone enjoyed your gig as the guest judge last night. It really did go down well.
The feedback so far is all very positive with a few emails already today giving the thumbs up. Well done, and thank you for making the time to come along.

Recently completed the overnight Astrophotography workshop. Gary was not only knowledgeable and helpful, he showed flexibility in the workshop structure both before and during the night, as the weather wasn’t going to play the game initially. Gary passed on information and techniques in a friendly, easy to understand manner and was both mindful and attentive to the various skill levels within the group and adjusted his mentoring style to suit. After the workshop, Gary was more than happy to field follow up questions via email and offered some valuable guidance once we went into post production. His assistance didn’t stop once we finished the workshop. Thanks Gary, the Mt Victoria area is beautiful and I appreciate the opportunity to capture a small part of it.

I am most grateful for Gary’s time, and photography passion for the Blue Mountains, that he so generously shared with us. Gary has been an excellent tour leader, informative, down to earth, and so knowledgeable about the secret insights of each location that he has explored for so many years. As a result I walked away with images that I would not have been able to get on my own for sure. Even though I’m far away in California, I’m looking forward to take an other tour with you soon.

I recently chose Gary to take me and my photography partner on a customised photography excursion of the upper Blue Mountains. I was familiar with all the tourist locations and wanted local knowledge and expertise to get some great, well composed shots of the Blue Mountains.
Gary customised the day for us, and guided us safely to locations that were slightly off the tourist beaten track.
Gary was organised, very knowledgeable about the area and able to suggest a wide variety of locations. He was flexible and very helpful in helping us achieve our goals for the day. He has a wealth of technical knowledge about cameras, and image processing that he was happy to share with us, and was generous with his advice and shared images of the day.
We both had a great day out and now are inspired to visit his list of special locations to return to when we next visit the Blue Mountains. Thank you Gary.

I am writing to say how much we all enjoyed your presentation last night at the Upper Blue Mountains Camera Club. We’ve had some very positive comments so far and are very grateful that you came along. Having presenters of your calibre and enthusiasm certainly opens eyes and stimulates interest in the members. You covered so many areas in your chat – all of them interesting, but the take home message( for me at least), was just how hard you work to get the images you need, and how many bases you cover in marketing your work, to make a living from photography. It’s impressive and quite amazing.

Gary was kind enough to show me some great photography spots in the Blue Mountains. He was very friendly and keen to talk about photography and good photo locations. I also found his Blue Mountains Photography Hotspots guide very useful for my own excursions and planning.

Gary’s Autumn Workshop was fantastic. The whole day was extremely well organised and nothing was too much trouble. With Gary’s knowledge of photography combined with his knowledge of the local area his workshops are a must. Highly recommended.

As photographer:

I love how your photos of the Blue Mountains captures her in all her splendour and moods.

Your works to capture the full magic of the Blue Mountains, transports us to a world of wonder.

So beautiful! Take it from a watercolour artist, you are an artist!!! Keep ’em coming.

Gary’s photography captures the moods, grandeur and mystery of the Blie Mountains. I grew up in the mountains, came back to get married and regularly visit my parents in Blackheath. I haven’t discovered another photographer that captures my mountains. “The Event” proudly hangs on our wall in Central Queensland, a cooling reminder of the beauty of the backdrop to our wedding at George Phillips Lookout … our special event. The mountains are so special to me and you’re the only photographer who captures them as I see them.

I highly commend you for being so generous and offering such a thorough and awesome article to the public!! That’s a lot of hard work you put in there!

Spectacular ! exquisite marriage of your artistic eye and technology !

Love your photos, in your work l see a beautiful person with a lot of inner peace.

Your work means the world to me! I lived and lived in Blackheath for many years and now your talented photography captures the moods of the mountains and I can still enjoy the view.

In time Gary will be seen as the most prolific Blue Mountains photographer ever and stoked to call him a mate. I really love that he has shown me the Mountains in a way that i will always love it

Gary’s images are without doubt outstandingly beautiful to look at. But further to that, personally, they serve to encourage me in my own passion, provide valuable visual information about the effective use of light in an image and the mastery of great composition. I one day hope to meet Gary, whom i consider to be one my greatest unofficial mentors. Until then… thanks Gary, i look forward to being introduced to the Blue Mountains by you one day soon!

Talented photographer and educator. Gary constantly explores lesser known areas of the Blue Mountains so knows a multitude of locations. Highly recommend his workshops, approachable and explains complex concepts in an understandable manner. A photographer that takes photos with his heart as well as his eyes.

Your sensitive and succinct images of my beloved upper Blue Mountains brings me great joy.

I first met you on the iconic Lincoln Rock – of course at sunset! Your skill and interpretation with your photography has really inspired me. I am not able to get to the places you go to and so I really appreciate your persistence and determination in getting to the locations you get to (and the time of day you get there when you are ‘chasing the light’.) It certainly shows that ‘special something’ in your photography. I appreciate your sharing of the ‘how to get there’ information to many of the great locations in our wonderful Blue Mountains. …and one more – our local camera club certainly appreciated your time of sharing your experience early this year.

Gary has an eye for the dramatic and this translates into the most majestic photos of the Blue Mountains and Gardens of Stone area. He is an ambassador for our area and shares his love of it world wide. His photos are inspiring and stunning.

Wonderful impressions of the BMNP full of atmosphere, showing us the beauty of the unique landscape we are living in. Thank you for sharing your photos with us.

Outstanding. You are inspiring others with your talented work, valuable insights and generous spirit. Thank you!

Beautiful inspiring photos that show the Blue Mountains in all their glory but also hidden aspects, makes me always want to be there that moment when I see one your photos.

I consider Gary to be the best landscape photographer in Australia, at least. His photographs & commentary are, to a photographer, inspirational, he truly meditates on light through his lenses

I really think these are the best pieces of work I have ever come across and as I was born in the Lithgow area and went to school there every time I see your work I really do miss the scenery as I don’t get to see it much any more and it makes me Home Sick! Thank you Gary for such an adventure down memory lane and bringing the memories back to life! Great Work keep it up!

Absolutely stunning photography Gary my trip to the Beautiful Blue Mts was so special so spiritual for me to actually make the climb down to the Jamison Valley and up with my daughter Sarah hubby Patrick and my 8week old granddaughter Erin is something I will cherish forever . Each picture of the Beautiful Blues takes me back straight away to that special moment when we reached the top such an emotional journey for me. You are inspiring Gary at your craft truly amazing pictures. I hope to return to my favourite place and country Australia where I think I left a little bit of myself there.

I love to see Gary’s photos on FB. He never ceases to amaze me with the way he captures the essence of the stunning landscapes in the Blue Mountains. Just when I think I have seen the best photo yet, he posts another even better one. Thanks Gary for sharing your talent so freely.

The Blue Mountains are my happy place, but I can’t get there nearly as often as I’d like. Your photography captures all the moods of the Mountains and feeds my soul until my next visit.

Your works to capture the full magic of the Blue Mountains, transports us to a world of wonder.

Love your photos, in your work l see a beautiful person with a lot of inner peace.

I consider Gary to be the best landscape photographer in Australia, at least. His photographs & commentary are, to a photographer, inspirational, he truly meditates on light through his lenses

I look forward to Gary’s daily photograph on FB because he captures magnificent views of places I know and love. Often I can share them with family and friends. Sometimes he posts photos of other places, too, which are also beautiful, but I do prefer his Mountains and Sydney shots.  His photos seem to capture the essence of the spot.

Gary P Hayes, you take the most spectacular photos

Beautiful images of the majestic Blue mountains

Breathtaking & peaceful & wow!

Oh goodness how I love Gary’s photography, he is so creative and wonderful. I have Never had the pleasure of visiting the Blue Mountains, and in the past months he has made the area come alive for me. My partner is Loving that you explain how your achieved the photograph. In fact Ryan tells me that Gary makes the Blue Mountains even more beautiful then what he remembers. Thank you for taking the time to create such magic from nature.”

Those photos that you have shared, take me back many many years, sitting in the back of my families ’36 Chev’ meandering up the many hills, twists and turns and looking in awe at the incredible region. Your photos are a joy to see, and now I’m old and living in Brisvegas’, they bring back so many memories. You truly depict nature at it’s finest, and since I’ve taken up a bit of amateur photography, I appreciate even more, how you can capture the ‘essence’.

Visited your gallery on Saturday morning with my wife Mary – impressive collection of shots and very inspiring on numerous fronts. Currently considering joining your workshops and also to tee up some private shoots with three of my close mates in exploring some parts of the Blue Mountains with you. Photos on Facebook doesn’t do justice of the quality of the stuff you capture. Well done and good luck with the gallery.

I highly commend you for being so generous and offering such a thorough and awesome article to the public!! That’s a lot of hard work you put in there!

Thanks for inspiring me Gary

I am constantly impressed by Gary’s photos of the Blue Mountains area, I have lived in the mountains for 35 years and I have seen more beauty, than I ever knew existed in the mountains through his photos. Being in a wheelchair now, means I am limited to the places I can see first hand, I am happy to be able to discover the full scope of Mountains through Gary’s skillful use of the Camera as a medium, to share his spectacular views of the world. Gary has inspired me to get out and take my own views of our beautiful mountains.

There’s a Spiritual quality to his photos. I may sense this because I grew up in the Blue Mountains and I’ve been to Narrow Neck during my younger years. This photo brings back so many memories

Your work means the world to me! I lived and lived in Blackheath for many years and now your talented photography captures the moods of the mountains and I can still enjoy the view.

Inspires me to get out an take more photos, though not nearly as well!

I find the most beautiful photographs taken of a place tend to be those captured by the photographer who not only sees the colour and beauty of the landscape but is also able to feel it’s majesty and energy. Gary Hayes shows he has a deep passion for his beloved Blue Mountains and each of his photographic images portray emotion and feeling by making use of subtle light and shade created by some of the most dramatic sunrises and sunsets to touch the rugged cliffs and ridges of one of my favourite places in Australia.

Beautiful inspiring photos that show the Blue Mountains in all their glory but also hidden aspects, makes me always want to be there that moment when I see one your photos.

A definite fan of Gary’s Facebook page. Love his portrayal of the beautiful Blue Mountains. I have recently renovated, and have a wall that I think needs a Gary photo.

Authentic, inspiring images that reflect a intimate respect and knowledge for the Blue Mountain region.

I love how your photos of the Blue Mountains captures her in all her splendour and moods.

Wonderful impressions of the BMNP full of atmosphere, showing us the beauty of the unique landscape we are living in. Thank you for sharing your photos with us.

Spectacular ! exquisite marriage of your artistic eye and technology !

Gary’s photography captures the moods, grandeur and mystery of the Blie Mountains. I grew up in the mountains, came back to get married and regularly visit my parents in Blackheath. I haven’t discovered another photographer that captures my mountains. “The Event” proudly hangs on our wall in Central Queensland, a cooling reminder of the beauty of the backdrop to our wedding at George Phillips Lookout … our special event. The mountains are so special to me and you’re the only photographer who captures them as I see them.

Gary’s pictures are like looking through a window , they’re always so clear ,I have never been to your beautiful country ,but feel I know it so well by enjoying his pictures ,some are so wild it’s like looking at a picture of an long forgotten time , and others so lovely they take my breath away at their beauty ,then the ones where the morning mist thru the mountains look like a river raging thru ,I could go on and on , just love seeing Gary’s pictures.

Gary’s photography skills give me a point of reference to aspire to. His subtle use of black and white and colour shows me new ways to change the mood of a scene, purely by the addition of colour or lack thereof.

Making the Gardens of Stone N.P Great again

Your sensitive and succinct images of my beloved upper Blue Mountains brings me great joy.

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