10 Days on the South Island: New Zealand Trip Recap Part 1

This blog post has been a long time coming—over a month, actually—because summing up this New Zealand trip has felt nearly impossible. How do you put into words a journey that was equal parts heartwarming reunion, breathtaking landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime photo sessions?

I originally planned this New Zealand trip to visit one of my dearest friends, Maria, and her husband, who are expecting their first baby. Naturally, we scheduled a beach maternity shoot. But once I realized I’d be flying halfway across the world, I decided to sprinkle in a handful of portrait sessions too. Because when you get the chance to photograph couples across the globe—especially in a place as jaw-dropping as New Zealand—you take it.

I mapped out an itinerary that would let me see nearly all of the South Island in under 10 days. Yes, I did a lot of research, especially since I didn’t want to be away from McKay too long. But it all paid off: the trip turned out to be even better than I imagined.

Getting There: Boise → Christchurch (with a few scenic detours)

The journey started with an overnight flight from Boise to Christchurch, connecting through San Francisco and Melbourne. I highly recommend overnight flights—especially when they’re 15.5 hours long. A sleeping pill and a midnight departure helped me clock about nine hours of sleep, and I woke up just in time for breakfast service.

When I landed in Christchurch, I found out my checked bag was still hanging out in Melbourne. Thankfully, all of my camera gear was safely in my carry-on, but my clothes… not so much.

Kicking Things Off in Kaikoura: Maternity Magic at Sunrise

Maria and her husband met me at the airport, and we headed straight to pick up our rental—a bright blue Suzuki Swift (aka the unofficial car of every Kiwi road trip). Our first stop was Kaikoura, a coastal town about three hours north of Christchurch. We stayed with one of Maria’s family friends and woke up early the next morning for their maternity session.

We crossed a highway, trekked through a cow pasture, and climbed a grassy hill—only to be greeted by a dark sand beach at sunrise, all to ourselves. Dolphins surfaced in the background as I snapped photos. Pure magic. This was the perfect way to kick off my New Zealand trip.

Lost Luggage, Found Outfits, and the Cutest Coastal Towns

After Kaikoura, we headed to Nelson. I was still in the clothes I wore on the plane, so we made a much-needed stop at K-Mart. (Yes, that K-Mart—and yes, they have surprisingly cute clothes in New Zealand.)

Driving through Abel Tasman National Park was a highlight, even though we didn’t have time to stop and explore. If you’re planning your own New Zealand trip, definitely budget a day or two for this spot.

We spent the night in Nelson at a charming hotel overlooking the marina, then drove to Pohara the next morning. From there, we made the trek to one of my top bucket list destinations: Wharariki Beach.

Wharariki Beach: A Portrait Session I’ll Never Forget

This place had been on my dream list forever, and let me tell you—it lived up to the hype. Getting there involved a short hike (about 20 minutes, with the second half through sand dunes), but it was more than worth it.

Jess & Luke met me for their session, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable shoots of my career. There’s something about capturing love in wild, windswept places that sticks with you forever.

Cozy Airbnb Vibes + Tata Beach Bliss

Our Airbnb in Pohara was one of our faves—secluded, scenic, and just five minutes from Tata Beach, which quickly became our favorite beach of the trip.

From Pohara, we made our way to the West Coast town of Fox River. It rained almost the entire time, so this stop was a bit of a bust. But the silver lining? It brought us some amazing rainforest views, and then to the most magical part of our New Zealand trip: Lake Tekapo.

Lake Tekapo: The Star of the South Island

I had read so many rave reviews about Lake Tekapo, and it absolutely lived up to every one of them. We stayed at Lake Tekapo Lodge, complete with a private deck, a hot tub, and unobstructed views of the lake and the famous Church of the Good Shepherd.

I photographed 2 amazing portrait sessions in Lake Tekapo, one at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and one lakeside session. These were absolutely incredible and were a true highlight of the trip.

Despite being a more touristy stop, Tekapo stole my heart. I could’ve easily spent a full week soaking up the views.