South West • WA Seascapes + Headlands Astro (conditions allowing) All-inclusive

South West WA Seascape + Astro Photography Workshop (Sept 2026)

Dates: 3–7 September 2026 (AWST)

Region: Cape Naturaliste → Yallingup → Injidup → Margaret River → Augusta / Cape Leeuwin

A 5-day, small-group workshop (max 4) built around the South West’s most photogenic granite headlands, turquoise bays and long-exposure rock shelves — with Milky Way sessions when skies cooperate. We base ourselves in one area, then chase conditions (wind, swell, tide and cloud) so you shoot the right location at the right time. Daily editing labs lock in a repeatable workflow.

5 days / 4 nights Max 4 photographers Private room included Meals + transport included
Reserve your spot Join waitlist / 2027 priority Jump to FAQs

The South West WA Seascape + Astro Photography Workshop is a 5-day, all-inclusive workshop based in the Margaret River / Cape Naturaliste region. You’ll photograph Sugarloaf Rock, Injidup, Canal Rocks and nearby bays and headlands within easy driving distance — focusing on seascape technique (wave timing, long exposures, filters, composition) plus Milky Way sessions when conditions allow.

Dates: 3–7 Sept 2026 (AWST)
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Group size: Max 4
Where: South West WA (Cape Naturaliste to Augusta)
What you shoot: seascapes + headlands + astro (if clear)
Includes: private room + transport + meals + entry fees
Suitability: keen beginners to advanced
Approach: tide-first, conditions-chasing itinerary
Documented safety practices Permits/permissions where required $20M public liability insurance Max 4 for real coaching

Astro note: the Milky Way is always weather dependent. We plan night sessions around sky clarity and practical access, and pivot to stronger seascape/landscape options if cloud rolls in.

Workshop snapshot

The planning essentials in one place.

Price
AU$4,990
Group size
Max 4
Accommodation
Private room
Style
All-inclusive

Transport: Ground transport is included during the workshop. We’ll share recommended arrival/departure windows once accommodation is locked in, so pickup and daily starts run smoothly.

Why this South West itinerary works

This region is dense with shootable coastline. Instead of forcing one “icon” no matter the conditions, we rotate between headlands and bays to match the light, the tide, and the sea state.

1
Headlands on demand

We choose locations based on wind direction, swell size, tide height and cloud breaks, so you’re not stuck shooting the wrong angle in bad light.

2
Variety insurance

If skies are cloudy, we lean harder into seascapes, textures, forests and edits. If skies clear, we run astro. Either way, you progress.

3
Small group, real coaching

Max 4 photographers means hands-on help with settings, composition, filters, focus, and a repeatable Lightroom/Photoshop workflow.

Likely hero locations (rotated by conditions): Sugarloaf Rock · Cape Naturaliste area bays (including Castle Bay / Castle Rock Bay) · Canal Rocks · Injidup Natural Spa · Hamelin Bay · Augusta / Cape Leeuwin headlands · plus nearby granite shelves, reefs and protected coves.

What you’ll learn

Practical field technique + editing. No fluff, just repeatable process.

  • Seascape composition: foreground control, leading lines, simplifying chaos
  • Wave timing and safe positioning on rock shelves (swell-aware decisions)
  • Long exposures that look intentional (not mushy): shutter choice, stabilisation, filter strategy
  • Polariser and ND use for turquoise water, glare control, and motion blur
  • Sunrise/sunset planning around wind direction, cloud breaks and horizon clarity
  • Astro fundamentals (when clear): focus workflow, exposure, clean files, horizon control
  • Photo planning basics (simple, not overwhelming): when to go and where to stand
  • Lightroom workflow: selection, masking, colour control, sharpness, export
  • Photoshop fundamentals where useful: tidy blends, luminosity control, finishing
  • A reusable checklist you can apply on your own trips

Itinerary (5 days)

This is a practical plan that stays tight geographically. Exact spots flex with swell, wind, tide, access, and safe conditions.

Day 1 — Arrival + sunset headland session
Meet and orientation, gear check, and a short planning run-through (tides + wind + light). Sunset session at a nearby rock shelf or headland (often Canal Rocks / Yallingup area if conditions fit). Blue hour long exposures, then debrief.
Day 2 — Sunrise icon + turquoise water session + editing lab
Sunrise at a hero location (often Sugarloaf Rock or a protected bay depending on wind). Late morning editing lab (2–3 hours). Afternoon session chasing colour and texture (turquoise bays, reef edges, or Injidup-style pools if safe and appropriate).
Day 3 — “Conditions chase” day (swell + cloud driven)
We pick the strongest option based on the forecast: sheltered coves for clean water, open headlands for drama, or forest textures if it’s a wintry system. Expect a mix of wide-angle seascapes and tighter detail work. Sunset where the sky looks best on the day.
Day 4 — South push: Augusta / Cape Leeuwin side + night option
Earlier start to reach the southern headlands. We work cliffs, sheltered bays, and granite shelves with a strong sunset plan. If skies are clear, we run an astro session from a practical, safe viewpoint after dark. If not, we go deeper on editing and technique.
Day 5 — Final sunrise + portfolio review + departure
Final sunrise shoot, then a structured portfolio review: what worked, what to improve, and your next-trip checklist. Wrap-up and departures.

What’s included

All-inclusive, with clear boundaries so expectations stay clean.

Included

  • 5-day workshop tuition (max 4 participants)
  • 4 nights accommodation (private room)
  • Ground transport during the workshop
  • All breakfasts + dinners + field snacks
  • Entry fees for planned locations
  • Guided sunrise/sunset shoots + night sessions when conditions allow
  • Daily editing labs (Lightroom + Photoshop fundamentals)
  • Permits/permissions where required
  • Documented safety practices + $20M public liability insurance

Not included

  • Flights to/from WA
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Lunches, alcohol, and personal purchases
  • Optional add-on activities outside workshop hours
  • Camera gear purchases

After booking, you’ll get a recommended gear list (tailored to your camera system) and a simple packing checklist.

Pricing

Simple pricing. Max 4 participants.

Price
AU$4,990
Deposit
AU$1,000
Balance
60 days prior
Seats
4 total
Reserve your spot Join waitlist / 2027 priority

What “all-inclusive” means here: you can land in WA, show up with your camera gear, and focus on shooting. We handle accommodation, meals, transport, entry fees, planning, and daily coaching.

FAQs

Direct answers to the common booking questions.

Is this a Margaret River photography workshop or a Cape Naturaliste workshop?
Both. We base ourselves in the Margaret River region and shoot the Cape Naturaliste / Dunsborough / Yallingup coastline, plus southern options toward Augusta when conditions suit.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Yes. If you’re comfortable changing basic camera settings, you’ll be fine. With only 4 participants, coaching is genuinely hands-on and tailored to your level.
Will we definitely shoot the Milky Way?
No promises. Astro depends on cloud, wind, and safe access. We plan for it, but it’s never guaranteed. If skies don’t cooperate, we lean into seascapes, landscapes and deeper editing so you still leave with strong outcomes.
How physical is it?
Mostly easy to moderate walking on sand and uneven rock shelves. We avoid risky zones in heavy swell and we’ll always brief safe positioning. If you’ve got an injury or concern, tell us early so we can plan around it.
What camera gear should I bring?
A camera with Manual control, a sturdy tripod, and a wide-angle lens are the essentials. A polariser is strongly recommended for seascapes. ND filters are helpful but not mandatory. A headlamp is required for pre-dawn and night sessions.
Do you teach long exposure properly (without “muddy water”)?
Yes. We focus on choosing shutter speed intentionally for the sea state, keeping texture where it matters, and using filters/polariser in a controlled way.
Do you teach Lightroom and Photoshop?
Yes. Daily labs cover a repeatable workflow: culling, core adjustments, masking, colour control, sharpening, and clean exports. Photoshop is used where it genuinely improves the file (not just for the sake of it).
Are permits and access handled?
We operate with permits/permissions where required and plan around location rules and practical access. If a site is restricted or conditions are unsafe, we swap to an alternative nearby.
Are drones allowed?
Drones aren’t part of this workshop. If you fly independently outside workshop time, you’re responsible for checking current CASA rules and any local/site restrictions (including parks and council-managed areas).
What’s included with meals?
Breakfast and dinner are included each day, plus field snacks. Lunch is not included (we keep it flexible around shooting and personal preference).
Is accommodation private?
Yes. This workshop includes a private room for each participant across the 4 nights.
What happens if the weather is rough?
We pivot. The South West has protected bays, forests and inland options that still photograph well in mixed weather. If conditions limit shooting time, we increase coaching and editing time rather than wasting the day.
What’s the cancellation policy?
We’ll provide your final cancellation terms on booking. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially for flights and personal circumstances.
Reserve your spot See upcoming workshops
Seats are capped at 4. If you miss out, join the waitlist so you’re first contacted for cancellations and future South West dates.
© 2026 Dylan Knight Photography · Sunshine Coast, Australia

Testimonials

★★★★★

"Dylan has put a lot of time and effort into this workshop. He is easy to understand and ensures each student gets the time they need to grasp the concepts. I really appreciated that there were only four students—Dylan spent plenty of time with each of us. The follow-up eBooks he created and published are a terrific way to reinforce the weekend and make sure the new techniques and knowledge really stick. Thank you Dylan—I really enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to see what’s next."

– Jo

★★★★★

"Highly recommend Knighty’s Photography! You won’t be disappointed! I’ve done a few private workshops with Dylan over the last five years and it’s been great! Looking forward to my next workshop with Dylan!"

– Wendy K.

★★★★★

"Knighty's Astro photography session was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."

– Amber

★★★★★

"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"

– Workshop Participant

★★★★★

"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time... He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."

– Participant Feedback

★★★★★

"The workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience."

– Nikon School Attendee

★★★★★

"Even with the constant rain, Dylan kept me up to date and gave me peace of mind. The workshop clarified so many things that YouTube never could. Highly recommended!"

– Workshop Attendee

★★★★★

"I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight. He followed up with extra resources and provided a professional experience from start to finish."

– Nikon Workshop Participant