We are grateful to our previous guests who have told us how much they enjoyed joining us on tour. Most of our clients will only ever get to visit New Zealand once in their lives so we are very pleased that their experience here was an absolute delight. Please scroll down the page to read about our guests' impressions of their tour. To read external reviews posted on the Luminous Landscape website please click on the following links:
Josh's review from July 2009 tour
Marty's review from March 2008 tour

To view photographs taken by some of our guests please visit our clients' galleries.

CLIENT FEEDBACK QUESTIONS

BOOKING & PRE-ARRIVAL
Did you find the booking process easy to complete?

ON TOUR
Did the tour live up to your expectations?
Did you feel that the tour was good value for money?
Did you feel safe when in the vehicle?
Did you have fun on tour?

YOUR GUIDE
What was your opinion of Phillip's manner as your guide?
What was your opinion of Phillip's organisation on tour?
What was your opinion of Phillip's knowledge of each area?
Did your photography skills improve as a result of Phillip's assistance?

ACCOMMODATIONS
What was your opinion of the accommodations?

GENERAL
Any other comments?

BOOKING & PRE-ARRIVAL

Did you find the booking process easy to complete?
"I found the whole booking process easy and made me feel confident that I chose the right tour. You answered all my questions and I already felt I knew you because you were so kind in taking the time to answer all my questions."
Catherine H, USA

"Once I had decided on the location and time of the tour, the actual booking process was very simple."
Kylie S, Australia

"Absolutely, everything needed was there on the web site or in your emails."
Joan C, Australia

"Yes, the process was quite easy. It was very easy to communicate via e-mail...always very prompt in answering my many questions."
Bob H, USA

"Yes. Always a quick response to emails and all questions answered."
Nigel B, UK

"Absolutely...went like clockwork...usually within 24 hours a response came through."
Lise W, UK

"Once I had worked out a date that suited me...Phil sent out the itinerary of accommodation and that was that! Bank transfer was an easy option. There were quite a few emails sent and Phil was very helpful with my multitude of questions."
Dean T, Australia

"I thought your responses to questions were timely and right on the mark."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Yes, it was very straightforward, and it was great to be able to fine-tune the itinerary."
Prof. Chris W, USA

ON TOUR

Did the tour live up to your expectations?
"Heck yes! I wanted to capture the soul of New Zealand, which means going away from the tourist spots with plenty of time to set-up and explore different angles. You were spot on for all these requirements. Further, your advice on composition, exposure and other aspects of photography were invaluable."
Arthur O, UK

"It went beyond my expectations!"
Catherine H, USA

"My expectations were exceeded."
Kylie S, Australia

"It sure did. How did you fix the weather?"
Joan C, Australia

"Yes, very much so."
Bob H, USA

"I had fairly high expectations partly because NZ is a must see destination for so many here in the UK but my expectations were certainly more than met in every way - an amazing and unforgettable experience."
Nigel B, UK

"It surpassed my expectations, both in terms of the places we went and the way the tour was run. I can’t think of a better way to see New Zealand."
Vicky P, UK

"The tour far exceeded my expectations."
Cynthia L, USA

"Yes...and more. It was brilliant."
Lise W, UK

"Phillip took me to some incredible locations, many of them very remote. The kind of stuff you don't ever see in mainstream tour brochures. If I had tried to see all the places on the tour by myself with a rental vehicle, I would have come up very short I think. Phillip's local knowledge is extensive and on top of that, being a photographer he knows each location's best time to be photographed."
Dean T, Australia

" It was OUTSTANDING and beyond my expectations. I just wish we had your expertise for our North Island excursion."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Absolutely. Because I chiefly photograph wildlife I was worried that there wouldn't be enough to do, but we kept extremely busy!"
Prof. Chris W, USA

"The tour exceeded our expectations...an excellent job at customizing the tour for our specific interests and needs." 
Ron & Donna S, USA

Did you feel that the tour was good value for money?
"Yes - but that doesn't mean you should double your prices :-) "
Arthur O, UK

"Very much so!"
Catherine H, USA

"The tour was value for money and it was worth every cent. I learnt a lot over the tour and saw some amazing landscapes and animals."
Kylie S, Australia

"Yes."
Bob H, USA

"Yes."
Nigel B, UK

"Absolutely."
Vicky P, UK

"The tour was on the expensive side, but I had such a great time and learned so much from Phillip about landscape photography and composition that the money was very well spent."
Cynthia L, USA

"Yes..had a fabulous time."
Lise W, UK

"Considering the time Phillip has invested in scouting all of the locations visited, I'd say these photography tours are a steal. At certain points in the tour I felt rather overwhelmed with the sheer amount of photographic opportunities. I was definitely kept busy with shots to take."
Dean T, Australia

"Very much so, especially the personal touches...care for our safety at ALL times.
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Yes. It was cheap at the price for Phillip's undivided attention."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"It was a reasonable cost to experience the beauty of New Zealand with an attentive, engaging guide."
Ron & Donna S, USA

Did you feel safe when in the vehicle?
"At all times."
Arthur O, UK

"Very much so."
Catherine H, USA

"I felt safe at all times."
Kylie S, Australia

"Absolutely, at all times."
Joan C, Australia

"Yes, all the time. Phillip is an excellent driver."
Bob H, USA

"When we set off it very quickly became apparent to me that Phillip was a very safe, competent driver."
Nigel B, UK

"Yes, very safe."
Vicky P, UK

"At all times. Your driving was faultless, cautious and highly professional."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

Did you have fun on tour?
"Heck yes; as a group we melded well and kept each other occupied with amusing anecdotes and really corny 'jokes'."
Arthur O UK

"Fun is an understatement! I had the best time and I would do it again."
Catherine H, USA

"That I did."
Kylie S, Australia

"I sure enjoyed it. The company was great, a good mix of people."
Joan C, Australia

"Yes. We had a very good tour group. Everyone got along quite well."
Bob H, USA

"Yes, very hard not to."
Nigel B, UK

"Yes, it was a fantastic two weeks! The days were packed with great photography opportunities and I really enjoyed the time I spent with everyone on tour."
Vicky P, UK

"I had lots of fun times on the tour. Even without my camera gear, it would have been an excellent sightseeing tour."
Dean T, Australia

"YES!!! I could even enjoy your jokes"
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Absolutely."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"With an exquisite countryside, photographic opportunities around each bend and a guide with a wonderful sense of humor we couldn't have had more fun."
Ron & Donna S, USA

YOUR GUIDE

What was your opinion of Phillip's manner as your guide?
"Very professional! Phillip was very patient with us, transferred his skills and knowledge in an easy to understand way. Nice balance of humor and constructive criticism. All-in-all a great bloke!"
Arthur O, UK

"Very patient and kind."
Catherine H, USA

"Phillip's manner was great. I felt comfortable in his company and I had fun."
Kylie S, Australia

"Prompt, attentive, caring, professional, nothing left to chance. Hang on, I need a thesaurus."
Joan C, Australia

"He was very professional."
Bob H, USA

"He made me feel confident that we were in very safe hands, very approachable and without it being obvious made sure that everyone had a good time."
Nigel B, UK

"He was dedicated to giving us the best possible tour – professional, friendly, patient and with great attention to detail."
Vicky P, UK

"Great. I felt like I was on vacation with two good friends rather than on a tour."
Cynthia L, USA

"Impeccable...a real gent...patient...very easy to get on with."
Lise W, UK

"Phillip is great to talk to and really makes you feel welcome. He was very polite and we had quite a few funny conversations."
Dean T, Australia

"Phillip is a very special guide, knowledgable, caring and always a professional."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Phillip was the perfect guide. His dry sense of humor is unique among guides I have known."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"He was easy-going, good-natured with cheerful disposition. He was always considerate and attentive...providing valued photography tips."
Ron & Donna S, USA

What was your opinion of Phillip's organisation on tour?
"Couldn't have been better. Meals came at the right times, and were universally nice, even the sandwiches Phillip made himself. Nor were there problems with room bookings, or tour bookings."
Arthur O, UK

"He gets an A+ with extra credit!"
Catherine H, USA

"...everything was organised to perfection."
Kylie S, Australia

"...well thought out. "
Joan C, Australia

"The tour was organized quite well."
Bob H, USA

"It was quite apparent that the tour was very carefully organised particularly with regard to arrival time at accommodation and sun rise / sun set times and, more at the time, with regard to the way the weather / cloud cover was expected to pan out."
Nigel B, UK

"The tour was very well-organised. Phil has clearly put a lot of thought into making sure that everything runs smoothly."
Vicky P, UK

"Well organised and I never felt rushed. Good pace."
Cynthia L, USA

"Great..everything went like clockwork."
Lise W, UK

"Everything ran like clockwork but I never felt rushed at all. It was great to have extra time on location if I needed it."
Dean T, Australia

"He was always on top of all aspects of our tour, thus making it a very special sojourn from beginning to end."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"Flawless."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"Most importantly, he was sure to have us properly placed at the right time of the day for the best photo ops."
Ron & Donna S, USA

What was your opinion of Phillip's knowledge of each area?
"It is obvious Phillip had done his homework and was able to provide interesting commentary on the scenery, flora and fauna of each area. We weren't able to stump him that often with our totally weird questions."
Arthur O, UK

"Outstanding! I learned quite a bit."
Catherine H, USA

"Phillip is very knowledgeable of each stop. He has a good grasp of the mountain peaks, lakes, local history, and the best time and location to get the morning sunrise and evening sunset."
Bob H, USA

"The value of touring with a native New Zealander was very obvious as Phillip had an extensive knowledge of all the locations plus lots more."
Nigel B, UK

"Excellent! I hadn’t expected such good commentary on tour – about everything from New Zealand’s flora and fauna to its history and politics."

Vicky P, UK

"Phillip knew all of the out of the way places which I enjoyed."
Cynthia L,USA

"Excellent...he's clearly done his homework...pity I didn't have my 'A' stamp with me, he would've got that each day."
Lise W, UK

"You can tell that Phillip has a deep understanding of the New Zealand landscape. Without him as a guide It would have been very difficult to capture what I did. His weather predictions were also amazingly accurate at times."

Dean T, Australia

"Exceptional. This is what made the visit to New Zealand so memorable to me. I have returned to the USA with a quality experience of a unique involvement in New Zealand culture, history, flora, fauna and everyday life."
Capt. Kirby R, USA

"I learned a lot about New Zealand, ranging from history to politics to the best places to take pictures."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"Phillip provided a wealth of information on several topics including history, politics, local culture, geography, plant life and wildlife."
Ron & Donna S, USA

Did your photography skills improve as a result of Phillip's assistance?
"Heck yes. Better appreciation of composition. Better understanding of my camera's manual functions, especially around the area of exposure."
Arthur O, UK

"Yes, filters, exposure compensation, composition, and leveling."
Catherine H, USA

"I have a better understanding of composition now."
Kylie S, Australia

"Yes."
Joan C, Australia

"Definitely! I had not done a great deal of landscape (photography) and there is no doubt in my mind at all that I am now producing very much better images as a result."
Nigel B, UK

"Yes. I was a beginner before the tour, but by following his advice I’m now proud to have some good landscape and wildlife photographs. I have a much better understanding of composition in particular."
Vicky P, UK

"Absolutely!!! The comments I have gotten from friends and family that have seen my photography can be summed up by the word 'WOW!!!'."
Cynthia L, USA

"I should say!!!! I'm really pleased with my shots...will be treasured for a long time!"
Lise W, UK

ACCOMMODATIONS

"The accommodations were very nice."
Bob H, USA

"Better than expected."
Nigel B, UK

"All the accommodation was excellent. Spacious, clean rooms and good locations."
Vicky P, UK

GENERAL

"Words cannot express how much enjoyment and pleasure I got out of this photo tour. Great and knowledgeable guide, great company, fantastic scenery, great food and comfortable places to sleep. Over 4000 photos taken, together with many hours of video and some unforgettable memories. I have no hesitation in recommending this tour to anyone who wants to see the real New Zealand."
Arthur O, UK

"Phillip, you out did yourself...! Driving all day, planning, carrying our bags, opening doors and shutting them, your concern for our health and safety was profound!"
Catherine H, USA

"Thankyou for such a wonderful 2 weeks. Your knowledge, your skills will go with us for years to come."
Joan C, Australia

"Phillip ran an excellent tour that covered most of the South Island. If you like to take landscape photographs, New Zealand and Phillip's tour is one great place and great way to get some wonderful pictures."
Bob H, USA

"I must thank you for a great two weeks, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience and brilliantly organised."
Nigel B, UK

"I want to go back to New Zealand big time!"
Lise W, UK

"The tour was a real unforgettable CRACKER!"

Dean T, Australia

"Your willingness to share your professional skills and talents, time and time again, was greatly appreciated. I know this was a BIG bonus to us, me in particular, over the entire three weeks. It took me more than a week to recuperate from the early mornings, late evenings, and go-go-go characteristic of the entire tour, but I have absolutely NO complaints. I never did feel like I was a "tourist" while in your care. Good food, outstanding wine, and exceptional companionship. We came, we saw, we did, we conquered (I think), and we returned home with real quality memories (and some reasonably good pictures). I would be pleased to act as a reference for you, Phillip, at any time."

Capt. Kirby R, USA

"I cannot imagine a better way to see New Zealand."
Prof. Chris W, USA

"We found Phillip to be an honest, trustworthy and caring person. He quickly got to know us and fine-tuned the itinerary to our preferences. He shared his knowledge and travel ideas about the North Island which was most helpful when we continued our holiday without him. We would unequivocally and without hesitation recommend Phillip to anyone looking for a once in a lifetime experience in New Zealand."
Ron & Donna S, USA