Special personalised workshops or tours. Call or email –

Gary’s Photo Tours are great ways for visiting advanced photographers or film crews to be driven and taken around to the best locations at the best times in the most efficient way.

Aimed at people who appreciate Gary’s intimate knowledge of not just well known lookouts, but thousands of photogenic compositions, many off the beaten track. Most tours last from sunrise to sunset with 5+ great locations in-between but customised ones can be discussed.

The tours are designed for advanced photographers/cinematographers who are comfortable with their technique and equipment and just require locations at the best time and orientation to some of the best shots at those spots. Obviously some walking will be required and this is listed below.

There are two types of tours. Preset ones from the list below or totally customised and suited to the photographer/s created on the fly as we drive around or agreed in advance via tel or email.

PRESET TOURS

The advantage of the present tours are a very structured time so that everything can be completed in the time whereas a custom one (which has weather condition advantages) is more unknown time wise.

Choose from the preset tours below (currently WIP listing – detail to be added) – most include sunrise and sunset (SR/SS) locations and start 40 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset.

Drinks and snacks provided en-route in 4WD ute or car and several lunch spots selected on the tour day… optional for the two day tour to overnight camp (weather and season permitting). Preset Examples:

  • Katoomba SR/SS with 4 key waterfalls
  • Wentworth Falls SR/SS with 8 waterfalls midday
  • Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba 8 key hotspots
  • The Grose Valley SR/SS and midday falls/creek trek
  • The Three Valleys, Jamison, Grose and Megalong SR/SS and midday glens
  • The Big Seven Lookouts – SR/SS and five key lookouts
  • Hidden Blackheath and Mount Victoria special SR/SS
  • The mid mountains Falls loops (Lawson & Hazelbrook) 10 falls plus SR/SS
  • Pagoda country – Hardly photographed formations & features across Newnes Plateau, Ben Bullen State Forest, Wolgan and Capertee
  • many more to come

Tour payment

For pro shoots, rates vary depending on complexity of the shoot and if any research or permissions are required in advance.

The daily rate for personal tours will be $795 AUD – as an EcoPass holder we can shoot stills for commercial use in the national parks, but of course professional video shooting in parks areas will require NPWS permission and their commercial rates. 

A unique protected payment and agreed itinerary page may be setup for each tour as they are firmed up via email or phone OR you can book below once a date is provisional set. Also for those buying gifts a personalized gift token can be sent as PDF or printed and mailed. 

Please read the Cancellation Policy before booking … 

 

One-on-One Bespoke or Preset Midweek Photography Tour of the Blue Mountains’ $795

 

One-on-One Personalised ‘Instructional’ Workshop in the Blue Mountains’ $795

 

One-on-One Bespoke or Preset Photography Midweek Two Day Tour of the Blue Mountains’ $1495

 

Pre-requisites for all tours


Note:  photographers without all of the camera equipment below will be instructed in how to get the best out of what they have and see the advantage of extra equipment.

  • PASSION: It is inspiring to Gary and the other photographers if you have a great attitude and can make the best of whatever the weather throws at us or your expectations of the workshop. We will come away with great pictures regardless.
  • BRING: A good quality hiking tripod and a familiarity with using it.
  • BRING: A decent quality DSLR or Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and have a working knowledge of it.
  • BRING: Two or three lenses. Suggest an ultra wide (14 to 20 ish), wide (24-35 ish) and medium telephoto (60-100 ish). Or combinations in zoom lenses.
  • BRING: Filters. Any combination of – neutral density, 5 or 10 stops. Graduated neutral density 2 and/or 3 stops. Polarizer circular. It is not critical to have filters as we will explore blending and/or HDR techniques without using them.
  • DO YOU: Have a moderate level of fitness and able to walk confidently on rocky terrain with camera equipment (this will vary on each workshop but call for information if in doubt). Gary is not liable for equipment damage, so use protective camera bags at all times when moving between locations or exploring new spots as a group.
  • BRING: Comfortable hiking shoes, good camera back pack and waterproofs/warm clothes in case the weather goes south.
  • READ: It is recommended that you orientate yourself with the mountains by reading my introduction post A Landscape Photographers Guide to Visiting the Blue Mountains Australia which helps break down the geography and refers to many of the locations we will be exploring.