Capture the Light Photographic Meetup Group

A flight in a hot air balloon is an incredible experiences and one of those 'once in a life time' events that once done, you'll want to do it again and again!

I have chosen the date to coincide with the full moon which will set an hour and half after Dawn. A bright moon makes taking images of the launch so much easier plus the moon will not set until just before 8am so it should be visible for the whole flight.
For us as photographers it gives us the opportunity to photography in incredible light conditions and get a bird's eye view of the world below us. The colour's of the land in the early morning light is beautiful and if we can get about any cloud then we will be treated to the sunlight bouncing off a cotton candy blanket. It is a most surreal experience. In September we should have had paddocks of canola, wheat and barley giving us a patchwork of colour below us.
If you are afraid of heights and think this isn't for you then please think again, there is little or no sense of movement, it's not windy or noisy and although you are high, it certainly is not the same feeling of being on the edge that you might get on a mountain or a high building. There is more sensation of movement in a lift then in a hot air balloon.
We'll meet in Northam very early in the morning although transport from Perth can be arranged if required for an additional fee.
The price includes transport from meeting point in Northam to the take off point and return to meeting point from the landing point, plus breakfast after the event and of course, photographic input from Anna-Mair Francis. I have now been involved with ballooning for several years and have thousands of images and have been lucky enough to fly multiple times (like I said, it's that once in a life time experience that you'll want to do again!)

To book please RSVP below and I will send you my bank account details so you can transfer the cost directly to me. If you would like to pay in instalments this is possible with a $50 non returnable deposit. The balance will need to be paid before September 15th.

Ballooning is a hands on activity and the Pilot and his team will like us to help roll the balloon out ready for take off and packing it down after which is a lot of fun, and whilst this is not mandatory it is appreciated. The only real physical requirement is the ability to climb in and out of the basket. It can be tricky especially if you are not very tall or flexible but there are steps to assist in this and usually a few people to help too.
Both Capture the Light and the balloon company will require a waiver to be signed before the event.

Do you know someone who loves photography and who might like to join us at a Meetup? We can offer them a voucher which is valid for one year from the date of giving which can be redeemed on any standard $35-$40 meetup session of their choice.

Our meetups are open to photographers of any level and are a great place to meet people of like minds, to get out with the camera and learn some new. These small group sessions are lead by a professional photographer and each session has a different theme and location.
Please pay for the voucher below and we will email you a voucher to give to your loved one. This will give instructions as to how to join Meetup to see all the events and how to book on the session they want to join. Once they are ready to book we will add the person manually to which ever session they which to join us on.
PS ignore the date and time on this post, the voucher will come with undated but our booking platform won't allow us to post without a date or time

Through Perth's metro area are pockets of wonderful bush reserves in which can be found orchids and many other wildflowers. The one we have chosen for this session is in the Northern suburbs.
Macro or at least close up photography can be achieved with a non dedicated macro lens, with extension tubes or a close up filter but if you do have a macro lens it will be easier to get the results that you want.
We welcome all cameras. Our meetups start with a brief of how to set the camera for the topic. They are fun and informative with likeminded people and the professional photographer on hand to assist throughout the session.
Anna-Mair Francis is a professional fine art photographer having held several successful exhibitions which were held in high regard with many positive reviews. She has images displayed all over the world. She is a very successful teacher having had many of her former pupils going on to achieve awards and be highly respected photographers in there own right. She is highly regarded by the people she has taught and the methods she uses to teach them photography. She is very patient and understanding and works on the philosophy that there is no such thing as a silly question.