Join us for the Nature photography workshop along the Hutt River!
This fun and engaging 2-hour session is designed for kids aged 8–18. It invites young photographers to connect with nature, observe their surroundings, and capture special moments through their lens.
Thanks to the wonderful support from the Lower Hutt City Council Art and Culture Fund, this workshop is free for all participants.
Kids using our cameras will receive digital copies of their photos, and the best shots will be added to their own personalised portfolio on our website gallery.
Participants will learn about camera settings, composition techniques, and get to experiment with creative filters and different lenses.
It’s a relaxed, hands-on workshop to help young photographers understand their cameras, build confidence, and use photography to explore the beauty of the natural world.
Don’t miss this chance to inspire a love for photography and nature in young minds!
Next workshop
Proudly supported by Lower Hutt City Council
On the day
Participants are required to bring their own DSLR cameras.
However, thanks to our generous supporters, we do have six spare cameras available for use, which will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students will need to bring their own lunch and arrange drop off and pick up.
What’s involved?
We begin by introducing the basics of using a DSLR camera, helping kids understand what the different settings mean and how they affect the final shot. Then we explore how to photograph both large subjects like trees and landscapes, and tiny details in nature. We cover key camera settings, useful tools, and simple techniques that help young photographers capture stunning images. We also introduce the core ideas of visual storytelling.
After a bit of theory, it’s time to put the learning into practice. Students get hands-on experience through fun and exciting assignments, creating the photographs they’ve envisioned.
About us
We’re a registered charity run by a team of professional, experienced photographers who are passionate about helping young people grow as photographers, tell powerful visual stories, and build lasting connections with like-minded peers.
After the workshop, each participant will receive high-resolution digital copies of their photographs and a link to their own online gallery. This helps them start building their own portfolio and gives them the chance to showcase their work at our end-of-year exhibition.
Inspired learners
"Thank you so much for the awesome experience of taking your photography course! It taught me a lot that I didn’t know about cameras and photography before coming!" Loren W.
“[Our daughter] learnt a lot and enjoyed the experience so we’ve signed her up again for the next session.” May L.
“Chris enjoyed the course and said he learnt a lot of things like the golden ratio. He does art at school and these skills will be useful there.” Chaucey E.
Our tutors
All our tutors have undergone criminal-background checks and are fully vaccinated to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.
Ana Lyubich, Excio
Ana is a lifestyle and nature photographer and is a founder of Excio Photo Community. She believes that each photograph is unique and reflects an individual’s personality.
Ana usually talks about the essentials of photography and works with students to develop their own style and build their first public photo portfolios.
Ann Kilpatrick
Ann is a dedicated street, people, and nature photographer and visual storyteller based in Wellington. She lives there with her family and is a strong advocate for nurturing young talent. Alongside guiding kids with their cameras, Ann takes high-quality photos of children at workshops, which we then share with their parents.
Zhanna Yasinetskaya
Zhanna is a family and kids photographer from Upper Hutt, dedicated to fostering a love for photography in young children. She is often found behind her camera or phone, recording videos of our workshops.
Joy Tracey
Joy is an experienced Wellington-based photographer. She loves nature, macro, and insect photography, and she's a great storyteller too. Join us on one of our Percy Reserve workshops, where Joy will be your special guide in the Weta Cave!