Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
This past week I got to spend some time in Doubtful Sound with the team at Fiordland Expeditions. My job was to shoot some campaign imagery for their purpose-designed boat Tutoko II and to capture the experience as we explored this incredible part of Fiordland.
We headed across the west arm of Lake Manapouri as a slow-moving low brought torrential rain to the area – that's the perfect start to any trip into Fiordland. Across the Wilmot Pass (671m) and into Deep Cove the rain gathered in intensity and the landscape took on an otherworldly appearance. Ribbons of white leapt towards the valley floor, some evaporating as gusts of wind blew them mercilessly into fine mist. This is a photographer's dream.
Part of my trip in here is a recce ahead of my latest Remote Fiordland Photography Expedition scheduled for October 24, 2026. This expedition will begin in Dusky Sound and make its way into Doubtful over four days aboard Tutoko II. After this past trip, I am more excited than ever to share my photography experiences in that incredible part of the world.
The Fiordland Expeditions crew are next level in their approach to hospitality. We caught fish and handed them to our chef, who prepared the most amazing dishes for us each day. We had the tastiest steamed crayfish imaginable and fresh fish served within hours of coming out of the water (thankfully, we had some guests on board who could catch the fish).
Nothing is a problem to the skipper and the crew we had onboard – want to chase the most intense waterfalls in the country? No issue. Want to spend dawn and dusk in the most beautiful spot on earth? Easy. Keen to jump in a kayak and explore a forgotten river? Yes, please.
The photography expeditions I run through Insider Travel Co are all about heading out on a very cool assignment and making spaces available for other photographers to join in on that experience. Of course, I'm on hand to offer advice and tips if you need them, but this is about a group of photographers seeking out the best light and taking that creative journey together ... and with a dedicated boat to edit, shoot and sleep on with a skipper who will take us wherever we want. Know someone who might like that? Share this link with them for all the details.
Personally, I can't wait to get back into Fiordland. Check out the photos below and you'll see why.
See you at the beach, Derek
PS Did you know we run surf trips to the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia? All spots are booked for 2026 but we have a handful of spots available for our 2027 trips. These boat trips are suited to competent surfers only, but we also have a photo expedition planned for 2027 as well. That expedition has two parts: an overland trip focused on the orangutans and wildlife of Northern Sumatra and then a Mentawai Island exploration trip that will include some surfing/surf photography and exploring the islands and villages of the area.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: