- From above
- Drone, Helicopter, Fixed-wing
Who is Scott?
Want to know more about me before joining the workshop? Watch this short video where I share a bit about my journey, my passion for photography, and what drives my creative process.
Scott Jon Photography and Paul Hoelen Photography: Broome & Derby Aerial Safari, 2026 [All Inclusive, Meet Broome] Self Drive and Accom options available.
Overview
Embark on an extraordinary five day aerial photography adventure from June 25th to June 29th, 2026, through two of Western Australia’s most stunning regions: Broome and Derby. This exclusive workshop is designed for photographers who want to capture the dramatic landscapes of the Kimberley from above. Using a mix of Cessna 210 aircraft or R44 helicopters, and dronesyou’ll have the opportunity to photograph breathtaking coastlines, intricate tidal patterns, and the striking contrasts of the outback.
This is a heli and fixed wing focused workshop mixed with drone flightsmeaning participants should be prepared for multiple aerial sessions in a mix of aircraft and plenty of drone time in the air, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives. Each flight will accommodate two photographers per aircraft. While drones will be used during midday breaks and on the ground, the main event will be our heli and or Cessna flights and the drones will play a crucial role when we’re not in the air.
Our itinerary is structured to alternate between morning and afternoon flights in each location to allow for a broader range of conditions using the mix of drone and aircraft to achieve this. Accommodation will be a mix of Villas, Pearl Farms and Hotels, allowing us to move and setup where needed for the best shooting opportunities and to experience this region as a whole, ensuring a balance of relaxation and adventure. Whether you’re an experienced aerial photographer or looking to expand your skills, this workshop will take your image making to the next level.
Historical & Regional Context
Broome
Broome has a rich history as a pearling hub dating back to the late 19th century. The town was shaped by a blend of cultures, including Japanese, Chinese, Malay, and Indigenous Australian influences, making it a unique destination. Roebuck Bay, one of our aerial subjects, is known for its massive tidal movements and vibrant red cliffs. The contrast between the turquoise waters and the ochre sands makes it one of the most photogenic coastlines in Australia.
Cable Beach, another highlight of our journey, is named after the undersea telegraph cable laid in 1889, connecting Australia to the rest of the world. Today, its 22 kilometer stretch of pristine sand provides iconic photographic opportunities, especially at sunset.
Willie Creek, an essential aerial location for this workshop, is a striking tidal estuary north of Broome. Famous for its winding waterways, shifting sandbars, and vibrant turquoise waters, it offers incredible aerial compositions that transform with the tide. The creek is also home to a pearl farm, a reminder of Broome’s longstanding pearling industry.
Derby
Derby is famous for having the highest tides in Australia, reaching up to 11 meters. This makes the surrounding mudflats and estuaries an ever changing landscape, perfect for aerial photography. The nearby Boab trees, some of which are over 1,500 years old, add a historical and cultural dimension to our ground based photography. These trees have long been used as landmarks and even shelters by Indigenous groups and early European settlers.
Derby offers an incredible variety of aerial photography opportunities, particularly its vast tidal flats and stunning abstract landscapes shaped by some of the largest tides in Australia. The region’s shifting patterns, evolving water channels, and intricate textures provide endless possibilities for unique and compelling compositions.
Meet Your Instructors
This workshop is led by Scott Jon McCook and Paul Hoelentwo of Australia’s most renowned aerial photographers.
Scott Jon McCook has spent over a decade capturing some of the most awe inspiring landscapes from above, specializing in fine art aerial photography. His work has been widely published, and he brings a wealth of experience in crafting dynamic aerial compositions and maximizing the potential of aerial shooting. Scott is also highly skilled in advanced editing techniquesensuring that participants will gain in depth knowledge of post processing workflows to bring their aerial images to life.
Paul Hoelen is an award winning aerial and landscape photographer whose passion for capturing the natural world has taken him across Australia and beyond. Paul’s expertise in aerial storytelling and in camera composition adds an invaluable depth to this workshop, ensuring participants gain insight into both shooting techniques and creative vision.
Together, Scott and Paul will provide expert guidance on composition, technical settings, and post processing to help you elevate your aerial photography skills.
Workshop Details
Dates: Mid August 2026
Duration: 5 Days (3 days in Broome, 2 days in Derby)
Locations: Broome & Derby, Western Australia
Accommodation: hotels in Broome and Derby
Aerial Photography: Cessna 210 aircraft or R44 helicopters (doors off), 2 photographers per aircraft.
Additional Photography: Drone and ground based shooting
Skill Level: Suitable for intermediate to advanced photographers
Itinerary
Flexibility in Our Itinerary
As with any aerial photography adventure, we are more susceptible to the elements than most other photography genres. This means our schedule is designed with flexibility in mind. We may adjust shoot times, moving sessions from morning to afternoon or vice versa, to work around cloud cover, weather conditions, or to seize unexpected photographic opportunities, so basically we will have no set itinerary. What remains constant is our commitment to maximizing our valuable flight time, ensuring we are always in the best location at the best time to capture stunning imagery. (please note, flight times will be a minimum of two aerial sessions, possibly 3 if we have to work around weather elements or other conditions. We will work between the Heli’s and Drones to cover all areas and net the best photographs)
Day 1: Arrival in Broome & Sunset Ground Shoot
- Afternoon: Arrival in Broome and hotel check in.
- Late Afternoon: Welcome briefing, including safety procedures, aircraft shooting tips, and recommended camera settings for aerial photography, followed by group introductions.
- Sunset Shoot: Gantheaume Point: Capture the iconic red cliffs contrasting with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
- Dinner: Group dinner at a local Broome restaurant.
Day 2: Morning Cessna Flight & Afternoon Heli Flight in Broome
- Early Morning: Aerial photography flight over Roebuck Bay, Cable Beach, and tidal flats in the Cessna 210.
- Afternoon: Doors off helicopter flight over Willie Creek and coastal estuaries.
- Sunset Shoot: Cable Beach.
- Dinner: Free time.
Day 3: Morning Drone Shoot & Drive to Derby, Afternoon Heli Flight
- Early Morning: Drone and ground based photography at a key coastal location in Broome.
- Afternoon: Drive to Derby (approx. 2 hours) in Scott and Paul’s 4WDs, arriving around 3 PM.
- Late Afternoon: Doors off helicopter flight over Derby’s breathtaking tidal flats and abstract scenery.
- Dinner: Group dinner.
Day 4: Morning Heli Flight & Afternoon Drone in Derby
- Early Morning: Possible third flight and or drone session.
- Afternoon: Drone photography over Derby’s Boab lined landscapes and remote tidal flats.
- Sunset Shoot: Derby Jetty.
- Dinner: Free evening.
Day 5: Return to Broome & Farewell Lunch
- Morning: Drive back to Broome (approx. 2 hours) in Scott and Paul’s 4WDs.
- Midday: Farewell lunch in Broome.
- Afternoon: Drop off at accommodation or airport for departure.
- Please view our full terms and conditions here
Before you come
What it's really like
- Weather: cool mornings and warm, dry days
- Flights timed around the light and the tides, so the plan can change from morning to afternoon at short notice
- Doors off on every flight, so you shoot from a whole open doorway, not through a window
- Evening image reviews and editing sessions
- Comfortable hotels in town between flights
- Comfortable clothes for the outdoors. Nothing formal needed
- One or two camera bodies, so you're not changing lenses in the air
- A 24-70mm and a 70-200mm (or similar) cover nearly everything
- A wrist or neck strap for every camera. Nothing loose in a doors off aircraft
- Plenty of memory card space and fully charged batteries for each flight
- A warm windproof layer, beanie and light gloves. It's cold up there with the doors off, even in the tropics
- Sunglasses with a strap, or a pair that sits firmly
- A small camera bag that fits at your feet on the flights
- A laptop with Lightroom for the evening sessions
- Your drone, batteries and spares for the ground sessions, if the trip includes them
- Hats, scarves or anything that could blow out of the aircraft
- Large camera backpacks on the flights. They stay in the vehicle
- Tripods on the flights
- Lens hoods and filters on the flights, as the wind catches them
Cancellations and travel insurance
More than 90 days before the workshop: full refund, less a change fee of AUD $500 (about USD $330).
Between 90 and 30 days before: I'll move you to a future workshop with a credit for what you've paid, less the change fee. Credits are valid for 12 months.
Within 30 days: payments can't be refunded, as it's very hard to fill a place at short notice. If something genuinely unexpected happens, I'll always do my best to work something out with you.
If I need to cancel: whether it's minimum numbers, weather, aircraft or anything else outside my control, I'll try to reschedule first. Otherwise you can choose a full refund or a credit to another workshop.
Travel insurance is essential. Please arrange cover for cancellation, medical and evacuation from remote areas, and ideally your camera gear too. World Nomads covers travellers from over 100 countries, and guests from the US can also compare plans on Squaremouth.
Good to know
Common questions
How long are the flights?
It varies by trip, but usually around one to two hours each. The flight plan is in the itinerary.
Will I get motion sick?
Most people are completely fine. If you're prone to it, take something beforehand and keep breakfast light.
Which lenses work best up there?
A 24-70mm and a 70-200mm will cover almost everything. Go much wider and you'll start catching the skids or the wing in your shots.
What's it like shooting with the doors off?
Loud, windy and unforgettable. You're harnessed in the whole time and everything is strapped to you. One tip: dress warmer than you think you'll need. Even in the tropics it gets cold up there with the door off.
Is there a weight limit for the aircraft?
The pilots need passenger weights to keep everything balanced and safe, so I'll ask you privately when we chat. It stays strictly between you, me and the pilot.
How does booking work?
Just fill in the enquiry form on the workshop page. I'll get back to you, normally within 24 hours, with the booking details, payment information and terms. Your place is confirmed once your deposit is paid.
Do I need aerial experience?
Not at all. As long as you know your way around your camera, I'll guide you through the rest. Shooting from the air feels a little unusual at first, but most people are comfortable by the end of the first flight.
What happens if the weather grounds a flight?
It's part of aerial photography. I build some flexibility into every itinerary and do everything I can to reschedule flights within the trip. The full details are in the terms and conditions.
How confident do I need to be with my drone?
You'll want to be comfortable taking off and landing from uneven ground and flying in a light breeze. If you're still building confidence, a few practice sessions before the trip make a real difference.
When should I arrive?
I recommend arriving the day before we start. Flights can run late, and it means you'll be fresh on day one. I'll send through the meeting point and time before the trip.
How much luggage can I bring?
Usually one medium sized bag for clothes and a second, smaller bag for your camera gear. Soft bags or a well designed hard case are both fine. We play a bit of suitcase Jenga each day, which is all part of the fun.
Will I have my own room?
Yes. Everyone has their own room on all group and private workshops, unless you'd like to share. The accommodation for each trip is listed on its page.
Are meals included?
Meals aren't included in the price, so everyone pays for their own. On group workshops we usually eat together, which is one of the best parts of the trip, but if you'd like a quiet night to yourself that's completely fine.
Will I have phone coverage?
Most of the places we visit have phone coverage, with the occasional blank spot, usually while we're travelling between locations. From 2027 my expedition vehicles have Starlink on board as well, so staying in touch is easy.
Can my partner come along?
Often, yes. It depends on the trip and the seats in the aircraft, so just mention it when you get in touch and we'll work something out.
What if I'd rather do something private?
If the dates don't suit, or you'd like a trip built entirely around you, I also run private tours for one to three people. Have a look at my availability calendar and get in touch.