Christine Spring off on photography holiday in Antarctica

Hawke's Bay Opera House CEO Christine Spring will be taking a holiday to Antarctica on a photography course for three weeks. Photo/Warren Buckland

A trip to the moon may be out of reach for Hawke's Bay Opera House CEO Christine Spring, but Antarctica is the next best thing.

As well as an impressive corporate background, she is a talented photographer who trained in Paris and released her first book Liberating Self, which followed the personal journeys of 20 nude models, last year.

On Friday, Ms Spring set off on a new adventure, flying to San Diego and heading into Mexico, before boarding the Planicus to capture Antarctica through her lens.

"The reason I'm choosing to go on that boat is that it's got a great photography course," she said before her departure.

"I'm turning 50 at the end of the year and thought 'this is it' - it's been on my 'to do' list," Ms Spring said.

She was taking the three-week holiday with a cousin, who was interested in hiking and kayaking in the beautiful landscape.

"When I was in Paris, he visited me for his 50th and we had dinner up the Eiffel Tower. We talked about what we would do for mine in five years, so we're going to Antarctica.

"I have travelled extensively in my life - this will be continent number seven. I love to push myself out of my comfort zone," Ms Spring said.

While away they would get a chance to sleep on ice, spending time each day on the zodiac - an inflatable motorised craft.

"It's not just sitting on a cruise liner, we will be in and out of the water, it will be quite a physical active trip which really appeals to me.

"I have been around Africa and the Serengeti, I really enjoy that wilderness aspect, it's untouched."

From a photographic perspective, Ms Spring was inspired by the light, shapes and "pristineness" of Antarctica.

"The challenge now, is to find a woman on the boat who is willing to pose nude for me."