- From above
- Drone, Helicopter, Fixed-wing
Choose your dates
2027
- 18–22 SeptemberOpen
5 places left
AUD $11,900 + GST · approx. USD $8,310
2028
- Dates to be announcedComing soon
From AUD $11,900 + GST · approx. USD $8,310
Guide price, 2028 pricing confirmed closer to the date
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.
Overview
Embark on an extraordinary five day aerial photography adventure 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, R44 helicopters and drones, you’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, meaning participants should be prepared for multiple aerial sessions in a mix of aircraft, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives. Each flight will accommodate 2 to 3 photographers per aircraft, with some flights operating simultaneously in both the Cessna 210 and the R44 to maximise shooting opportunities. While drones will be used during midday breaks and on the ground, the core focus is aerial photography from the Cessna 210 and R44 helicopters.
Our itinerary is structured to alternate between morning and afternoon flights in each location to allow for a broader range of conditions, followed by drone and ground based photography during the opposite session. Accommodation will be in comfortable, high quality hotels in both Broome and Derby, 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 kilometre 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 metres. 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 Hoelen, two 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, specialising in fine art aerial photography. His work has been widely published, and he brings a wealth of experience in crafting dynamic aerial compositions and maximising the potential of aerial shooting. Scott is also highly skilled in advanced editing techniques, ensuring 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.
Itinerary
This is a rough guide to how the five days usually run. We adapt every day to the weather, tides and light.
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. What remains constant is our commitment to maximising our valuable flight time, ensuring we are always in the best location at the best time to capture stunning imagery.
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, capturing 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 3pm.
- 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: Doors off R44 helicopter flight over Derby’s tidal systems and Horizontal Falls.
- 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 departures.
Please view our full terms and conditions here.
Before you come
What it's really like
- Weather: warm mornings and hot, 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.
What past guests say
I recently attended a lap of Sth island New Zealand photography workshop with Scott McCook. It was the most memorable photography tour I have attended and this was my 4th overseas. It was meticulously planned and when changes had to be made it didnt make a difference to the workshop. The locations and helicoptor were amazing. I commend Scott and Paul on your kindness and friendship. I will be attending more of your workshops.
I participated in Scott’s South Island photography workshop in May 2026, and it was an absolutely outstanding experience. Scott possesses an incredible depth of knowledge across aerial, drone, and ground-based photography. Because the group size is kept small, everyone receives plenty of personalised attention in a highly supportive, non-competitive environment. Beyond his technical expertise, Scott is an all-around fantastic guy who ensures everyone feels welcome. I can’t recommend his workshops highly enough—book a spot and you'll be in expert hands!
I just completed Scott's Wheatbelt Salt Lakes workshop. Scott takes you to incredible locations where you get to capture great images, with so much energy and passion. Scott is willing to help and generously shares his knowledge and skills. Scott, your workshop is fabulous; you are an incredible artist with a desire to help your participants in their photography. You provided me with the best experiences for my drone photography. I would highly recommend Scott's workshops to anyone wanting to capture amazing aerial scenery.
I lead photography workshops for a living, so I don’t give glowing reviews lightly. When I say Scott McCook delivered one of the best workshop experiences I’ve had, that means something. My buddy and I spent 9 days with Scott shooting aerial photography across Australia, and he absolutely delivered. The man knows his locations cold: the right spots, the right light, the right windows. That’s the whole game in aerial work, and he had it dialed. Beyond the craft, Scott is genuinely fun to spend time with. Nine days in the field with someone is a real test of character, and he passed easily. Professional, funny, and completely focused on making sure you walk away with images you’re proud of. One moment stood out above the rest: on my way to Australia, I damaged a lens. Before I even had time to stress about it, Scott had sourced and bought me a replacement. That’s not something you do for a client. That’s something you do when you actually care about the experience someone has on your trip. If aerial photography is on your radar, stop deliberating. Book Scott McCook. You won’t regret it.
I can’t recommend Scott McCook’s aerial photography workshop in Western Australia enough! Especially his Shark Bay workshop. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, dependable, and passionate about his craft. Scott’s humor and friendly attitude made the experience both fun and inspiring. He is truly the very best at what he does, and his expertise shines through in his teaching. Whether exploring the breathtaking Shark Bay, the iconic Hutt Lagoon, or the industrial tailings, Scott’s guidance made capturing stunning aerial images an unforgettable experience. If you're looking to elevate your photography from a new perspective, Scott is the ultimate workshop provider.
Scott is an incredible teacher, artist and human. He went out of his way to make sure we visited incredible locations. I was lucky enough to have a 1:1 adventure with him. Intensely long days, lots of driving and insane locations. Scott is so dedicated to his mission to create a safe, inclusive learning environment, with positivity and energy. We had a blast! From being escorted out of the sky by eagles to jumping up and down with excitement at the latest location. 4 days flew bye. Best experience with a brilliant person.
Had the most incredible time exploring Western Australia with Scott. No one knows this area better than he does. Highly recommend touring with him.
I recently attended Scott’s Aerial Art photography class in Sydney and enjoyed the experience immensely. As an avid aerial photographer, I’m always interested in how other professionals plan their shoots and approach their post-production workflows. Scott provided valuable insights on both fronts. Even as an advanced Photoshop user, I found his guidance—particularly his approach to colour separation—exceptionally useful and immediately applicable to my own work. I highly recommend Scott’s class to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of planning, shooting, and editing aerial photography. It’s an excellent learning experience for photographers looking to advance their skills in aerial photographic art.
I just completed Scott's wheat belt tour. It was amazing despite threatening rain at the start. Scott was flexible and changing plans to accommodate the weather. Scott's focus was solely on the participants to ensure that they got the best photos possible. He was generous with advice on techniques, composition and post production. Most of all Scott was friendly and encouraging, and I would defiantly recommend his tours.
I had the best time at Scott's workshop. I was pretty new to the drone and left feeling a lot more confident in it. He took us to some really cool places, I feel like I got to see a lot of Australia most people usually don't get to. He was very knowledgeable and helpful with everything. I hope to join him again in 2027!
Scott is a fantastic mentor and hoist, he gave valuable feedback and we were treated to a magical drone ride.
Just finished an awesome 7 day group workshop of salt lakes and tailing ponds followed by an incredible 4 day private workshop with guru Scott McCook. This man knows his stuff and got us to the places where we got insanely great images. Thoroughly recommend Scott for outstanding aerial photography experiences.
Broome & Derby Aerial Safari
Enquire now
If you'd like to book, just fill in the form and I'll get back to you, normally within 24 hours, to finish your booking.