A little under a week ago I completed my 2017 Masterclass workshop in the South Island of New Zealand with my good friend and co-leader Phillip Bartlett. This workshop was extremely productive in terms of the sheer number of shoots we were able to squeeze in (as well as the locations we visited) and I wanted to share some feedback I just received from those who participated on the workshop.
Dear Josh and Phillip, I’m going over my images while waiting to depart from the Christchurch airport – what an amazing trip! Thanks so much for your instruction, sherpa and guiding, my images are so much better due to y’all. I really enjoyed my time spent with everyone, I could not have asked for better traveling companions. Please keep in touch, I would love to see everyone’s future photographic adventures. Y’all take care and let me know if you ever need a guide around the Bayou State! – Suzanne
I also want to thank everyone, in a group we made this class an unforgettable experience. In a group you learn all the time, even by just seeing what the others are doing, and how. I learned a lot about camera settings, composition, light and right moment and much more. I also learned something about the difference between a good picture, a postcard picture, art and fine art – this is essential on my way to artist! It’s nice to return home with all these good feelings and memories, – Matti
Dear Josh and Phillip, Now it is time for me as well to “saddle my horses” again, but only to move further up north towards St. Arnaud, Nelson, Takaka (Golden Bay), before then moving on to the North Island. While having another look at the images taken on our voyage together and thinking about the excellent time we had with our group I cannot help my eyes welling with tears (again). It was indeed worthwhile to have taken the “plunge” to come to the other end of the world and to put the travel schedule into your hands. Your careful planning and knowledge of this beautiful island we explored together, paired with your professional know how has given us invaluable memories for a long time to come. I enjoyed the time together immensely, could take home pictures and experiences I could never have made without you. The food was good, our vehicles an excellent choice, and I especially liked the cameradie with you all. The tips you gave to me/to us were incredibly helpful, not just for my future undertakings, but already for the rest of my time here (although without having you looking over my shoulder :-) ). I wish all of you still on the road save travels and yes, let us keep in touch. – Best and hugs, Angelo
Twas an adventure with you all! It was a pleasure getting to know everyone and having the opportunity to experience some pretty magical places together. Thank you Josh and Phillip for putting on a first class expeditionand leaving me with new tools and memories to treasure. – Julia

If you are interested in travelling and photographing in the majestic South Island of New Zealand then I am now taking bookings for the
If you are interested in photographing Polar Bears there is now only a single place available on my
Our intention is to sail directly north from the small town of Longyearbyen in Svalbard to approximately 80o degrees north, to the very edge of the permanent pack ice. At our northerly most point we will likely be less than 600 miles from the North Pole and depending on the sea ice we may get even closer. We will be using the ice hardened expedition ship M.S Origo that will enable us to skirt the edge of the pack ice searching for and photographing Polar Bears. M.S Origo is widely regarded as the best ship in the Arctic for Polar Bear Photography. With low-lying decks and operable portholes a mere 60cm above the water line we can photograph at eye level with wild Polar Bears. Our expedition ship is also equipped with sufficient zodiacs (2 x Zodiac MKV models) and crew for all photographers to be shooting simultaneously with plenty of room to spare for camera equipment – So bring what you need!
Watch the expedition video ‘Kingdom of the Ice Bear’ to get an idea of what this expedition entails.
