- From above
- Drone, Fixed-wing
- Time in the air
- 3.5 to 4 hours of flying in a doors off Cessna, plus drone sessions on the ground
- Stay
- A night in Kalbarri each way, and 2 nights in your own Beach Villa at Monkey Mia
Choose your dates
2027
- 20–24 MarchSold out
- 15–19 NovemberSold out
2028
- Dates to be announcedComing soon
From AUD $12,000 + GST · approx. USD $8,380
Per person, guide price confirmed closer to the date
A Shark Bay road trip, just for two
This one is a little different. I’ve kept it to two guests, so it runs more like a private trip than a group workshop. We head north from Perth together, stopping past Hutt Lagoon and staying a night in Kalbarri, then spend our days over Shark Bay’s World Heritage coastline in a light aircraft with the doors off. Between flights we take the 4WD down some of my favourite tracks and send the drones up, before heading back down the coast, with another night in Kalbarri on the way home.
Why only two
Shark Bay works best kept small. As soon as you go to three you need a second aircraft, which then means four, and it becomes a bus trip rather than a 4WD adventure. The Cessna flies with the doors off, so you’re not peering through a window. With the rear door removed you get a whole open doorway to shoot from, an incredible platform, and with just two of you there’s plenty of room on every flight. We’re also free to chase the light and the tides wherever they take us.
From the air and from the drones
There’s a stack of amazing material from the aircraft, but equally from the drones. You’ll have 3.5 to 4 hours of doors off flying over the bay, and on the ground we’ll explore by 4WD, including Francois Peron National Park and Big Lagoon, with plenty of drone time along the way. The driving up and back gives us even more aerial opportunities, and access to places a coach never gets to.
How it works
Forget classrooms and long hours at desks. This is about adventure, creativity and sharing what I know about Shark Bay. You’ll see how I plan my aerial shots, and we’ll dive into my editing workflow together. With only two guests there’s plenty of time for each of you, so ask me anything, whatever your level. Every day ends with an image review and one on one editing time, and while we have a plan, it’s flexible enough to follow what you’d love to shoot.
Where we stay
We break the drive with a night in Kalbarri on the way up and again on the way back. In Shark Bay you’ll have two nights in your own Beach Villa at Monkey Mia, right on the beach with just a seagull and some bush between you and the water. There’s a small shop and two restaurants on site, with more options in Denham, about 20 minutes away. Meals aren’t included. We usually eat together, which is one of the best parts of the trip, but a quiet night to yourself is completely fine too.
Getting there
The trip starts and finishes in Perth. If you’re flying in from interstate or overseas, I’d recommend arriving the day before, and I’ll send through the meeting point and time before we go.
For any questions, email me at scott@scottjon.com.au or call 0447 744 005.
Before you come
What it's really like
Included
- 3.5 to 4 hours of doors off Cessna flying over Shark Bay, shooting from the open rear doorway
- Return 4WD travel from Perth, via Hutt Lagoon and Kalbarri
- 4 nights accommodation in your own room: 1 night in Kalbarri, 2 nights in a Monkey Mia Beach Villa, then 1 night in Kalbarri on the way back
- 4WD exploring and drone sessions, including Francois Peron National Park and Big Lagoon
- Daily image reviews and one on one editing time
Not included
- Meals
- Flights to and from Perth
- Travel insurance
- Doors off Cessna flights with the rear door removed, so you shoot from a whole open doorway, with just two of you on board
- Flights timed around the light and the tides, so the plan can change at short notice
- A night in Kalbarri on the way up and on the way back, breaking up the drive with stops like Hutt Lagoon
- Early starts and sunset sessions, with time to rest in the middle of the day
- Evening image reviews and editing sessions
- Two nights in your own Beach Villa at Monkey Mia, right on the water
- 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
- Sunglasses with a strap, or a pair that sits firmly
- A small camera bag that fits at your feet on the flights
- Your drone, batteries and spare propellers
- A laptop with Lightroom for the evening sessions
- Hats, scarves or anything that could blow out of the aircraft
- Large camera backpacks on the flights. They stay in the 4WD
- Tripods on the flights
- Lens hoods and filters on the flights, as the wind catches them
- A fixed idea of the itinerary. The light and the tides decide the order
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
Why is this workshop limited to two?
As soon as you go to three you need a second aircraft, which then means four, and it becomes a bus trip rather than a 4WD adventure. With two, there is plenty of room at the open rear door on every flight, and we all fit in the one 4WD.
Where does the trip start and finish?
In Perth. We drive up together, stopping past Hutt Lagoon, and drive back down the coast at the end. I'll send through the meeting point and time before the trip.
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 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.
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.
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.
Shark Bay Aerial Workshop
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