Update on Availability

Join me for a week of Photography, Yoga, Hiking, Fresh Food, and More!

Photos and Fitness? Tell me more!

I wanted to try something new, and I hope you’re keen for it. Besides photography, I’m also quite into yoga and this sort of thing. Just down the road from my home in Queenstown is an amazing yoga / hiking retreat called Aro H?. We partnered with them to bring you an awesome week of photos and fitness!

So, you’re not into hardcore yoga? Well, me neither! No worries… the focus of the trip is still photography. We will be taking tons of photos in a variety of locations and situations. There will be plenty of teaching time from composition to post-processing. We’ll have lots of “downtime” together back at this amazing retreat where we can get our yoga on (led by the world’s best yoga teachers), have amazing food (made by a brilliant team of chefs who grow all their own food), spa time and more!

About Aro H?

Aro H? was recently voted one of the Top Ten hotels & resorts in the world, by Conde Nast Traveler readers. From their website…. “Located in New Zealand’s ethereal Southern Alps, Aro H? is designed for the rejuvenation of the human spirit. Their physically stimulating programs sculpt the body & mind with sub alpine hiking, vinyasa yoga, and dynamic movement. Programs include nutrient dense cuisine, healing bodywork, and daily mindfulness practice.”

Photography Instruction

The focus will be on landscape photography, but we’ll do a little bit of everything: people, architecture, action, macro, stars, and more.

There are countless good shots right on the retreat grounds. It’s situated close to Glenorchy, and the lake and mountain views are absolutely amazing. Each day, we’ll go on a hike somewhere in the area. New Zealand has absolutely some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, and you’re gonna see why!

Gorgeous Hikes

Every day features a hike to a new and gorgeous place. We’ll hike through all kinds of environments from the mountains, the beach, the forest, and more.

You don’t have to be a fitness guru to join us either! You can hike at your own pace. Some may charge ahead of the pack, some will group together at an average pace (that’s where I’ll be), and others will just take their sweet time. There will be professional hiking guides for each group. You’re here to learn and relax – there’s no prizes for those that go the fastest or furthest. We’ll be taking lots of photos along the way, so this is hardly a forced march. It’s mostly an excuse to work off our meal from the night before!

Yoga Practice

Every day there will be some great yoga, led by world-class instructors. The yoga session will be in the evenings, before dinner. It is mostly stretching and “restorative.” Again, if you’re totally new to yoga, then there are no worries. There are instructors there to help guide you along. And, as with all activities, I’ll be there the whole time! 🙂 (And no, I’m not teaching yoga haha!)

Healthy Eating

They prepare the most amazing food! I’ve stayed at Aro H? twice and had the greatest meals. Now, when I was there, everything was raw vegan, but we’ve asked them to make the menu a bit more robust for our event… so we’ll be having more protein and, well, all kinds of awesome stuff. The chefs there are excited to experiment with some foods they don’t normally get to prepare! If you are vegetarian or gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions, it’s all fine. They’ll happily make something extra special just for you!

First-Class Accommodations

The rooms are all brand-new, super trendy, and warm and cozy! Everything is totally first-class here, and you’ll find the entire experience to be quite luxurious. You will each have a private bedroom, but you’re welcome to bring a partner to share with you. Refer to the pricing details below.

Daily Massages? Yes please!

We decided to splurge a little here… I hope you don’t mind. Everyone will get a one-hour massage each full day of the trip. Massages are one of my favorite things other than photography, so let’s get the double-double! 🙂

Did I mention the spa?

Oh my! It’s amaze-maze. It has everything a world-class spa does overlooking beautiful Lake Wakatipu. We’ll end each day relaxing in the spa together, chatting late into the evening. They have multiple saunas, hot-tub jacuzzi, cold-dip pool, and more.

When, Where, What, and How?

When: October 5 – 10, 2015

This is a 6 day / 5 night experience. You will need to get to Queenstown, New Zealand on or before the morning of Monday, October 5th. We’ll provide transportation from the Queenstown airport, or a central downtown location, to Aro H? around 1PM. On the final day we’ll return to Queenstown for a celebration lunch and drop you off at the airport or hotel.

Where: Queenstown and Glenorchy, New Zealand

Aro H? is located in the hills near Glenorchy overlooking beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The daily hikes will go to a variety of interesting and diverse locations within 30 minutes of the retreat center.

What: A Rather Unique Photography Adventure

I’ve never heard of a photography workshop combined with a week of yoga and fitness. A truly bespoke experience that we may never repeat, so don’t miss out! It will be amaze-maze!

How: Our Daily Schedule

Each full day will begin with a takeaway breakfast and a short drive to a location for the sunrise. We’ll take our sweet time photographing the sunrise, and then we’ll begin our hike. The hike will typically last about 4 hours and, of course, we’ll be stopping along the way to take more photos! Then we’ll head back to Aro H? for a late lunch. We’ll transition to a classroom setting for an afternoon filled with post-processing instruction. During the afternoon, we’ll rotate out, a few people at a time, for our personal one-hour massage (oh yeah!). After the classroom time is an hour of restorative yoga (mostly stretching and relaxation). Dinner is next followed by ample time to capture the sunset. The day comes to an end in the spa. Each day will be overflowing with goodness!

Sounds Exciting! Where do I Sign Up?

Please contact Curtis Simmons for pricing information and to reserve your spot today! You can also contact Curtis if you have additional questions or would like to enquire about bringing a partner on the trip.

Reserve my spot today for the Photography and Yoga workshop!

BOOK NOW!

A few photos from my past two visits to Aro H?