Choosing A Photography Tour

Read This Before Booking Your Photography Tour

I’m sure we’ve all been there. Been on a holiday with visions of returning home with hundreds of award winning images, only to be sorely disappointed.
Attending a photo tour can be a fabulous way to improve your photography, particularly in a dream destination. You also get to connect with other like minded people and make some life-long friends.

But not all tours are created equal. Trust me on this. I’ve been on some less than outstanding tours, and have learned what to look for.

With so many people offering photo tours, it’s worth doing some research to help you with choosing a photography tour.

With a little research and planning, you will end up on the right tour for you – and come home with some incredible photos.

Read on to learn what to look for and what questions to ask.

Workshop vs Photo Tours

First up is knowing if you are booking a ‘workshop’ or a ‘tour’. While they can be similar, the difference can be quite significant.

Generally a workshop is more hands on with the main focus being teaching you how to capture better images. They will usually include a session out in the field followed by some post processing lessons.

A photography tour on the other hand is more out in the field, with less focus on teaching. The leader’s main role is to get you to the best locations at the optimal time for great photos. While they will usually help you capture your images, they will often be taking their own photos as well.

Don’t get caught up on the words as these terms can be intermixed. Just make sure you clarify what is being offered before you book.

Binalong Bay, Tasmania, Australia. Although this tree doesn’t exist anymore as it got washed out to sea in a storm, it was a very popular photography location. One that I don’t think I would have found easily if I wasn’t on a photography tour.

Location

Now you know where you want to go, it’s time to look at who you will go on your photography tour with.

The photographer is usually found firstly by seeing their work online. Their work should inspire and motivate you. It’s important that you like them, as they will tend to teach in the style of photography that they take.

Check out their website and social media and if they offer a tour, let’s go to the next question.

What Experience Does The Leader Have?

While a good leader may not need to have had twenty years of experience, it can be an indicator if they have been around for a few years at least.

Definitely read reviews along with checking out their tour history. Ideally you want to know that they are capable of organising a tour, they know the area, and actually know how to share their knowledge.

A good photographer does not always equate to a good teacher. They also need to know how to communicate effectively, engage with people and manage different personalities.

After all, you want to go home with more than just photos. You want to leave with increased skills, and be inspired to keep going.

Does The Leader Have Local Knowledge?

It is definitely preferable that your leader has a thorough hands on knowledge of the area. They should not just know where the ‘iconic’ locations are, but also the hidden gems. And, they should know how the conditions can vary depending on the time of year as well as day.

They will then also be better prepared to be flexible and change to suit the conditions.

This for me would be a deal breaker, unless they also had a local guide with that knowledge along for the tour.

South Coast, NSW, Australia – one of the many lesser known locations I’ve been taken to on a tour that would only really be known by a local.

Is The Tour Legit?

Many locations require permits and/or accreditations to be allowed to operate a commercial tour. You don’t want to be pulled up by a ranger and having your day or even tour cancelled if they don’t.

It is not always easy to confirm these details, however reading reviews and testimonials can reveal a lot about how they operate.

I think it’s still worth asking the questions if it’s not on their website. You may not get an honest reply, so trust your instinct.

Does The Photographer Leading The Tour Have Requirements From The Participants?

Photography tours can be incredibly specialised, so this is something to also consider.

Expectations from the leader I have seen include –

Physical fitness requirements – do you need to be able to walk for six days in the snow?
Photography skills – some leaders don’t wish to teach basic techniques such as the exposure triangle. They are only looking for intermediate to advanced photographers.
Gender – I’ve also seen tours that are for females only. There could be tours for males only as well, but as a female myself I’ve not seen those lol.
Specific equipment – this would include drones or being willing to shoot from a plane or helicopter with the doors off. That would be a no from me, but an understandable requirement for a specific tour.

Costs

Cost is often one of the biggest decisions when it comes to choosing a photography tour, and they can vary greatly.

Never make assumptions, especially if the trip is overseas.

More expensive does not always mean better.

This will take you the most time to research and compare. Take the following into account to make it easier –

What’s Included?

With most tours you will be responsible for getting yourself from home to the starting location of the tour.

After that, the costs of accommodation, transport, meals and entrance fees along the way may or may not be covered.

Always ask for a complete list of what is, and isn’t, included. Most reputable leaders will advertise this freely. If this information is hard to obtain, I would consider this a red flag from the outset.

Generally, you would expect to pay higher for prime destinations, and those more difficult to access. Think Mongolia or the Antarctic for example.

You may also expect to pay for a renowned photographer, and the bigger the company, the higher the overhead costs.

The type and quality of accommodation, transport and meals provided can also vary greatly. Do you have your own room, or sharing? Are your meals at restaurants and cafes, or more picnics and bring your own?

I recently went on a tour where I paid extra for a single room. But I didn’t realise that it didn’t include a toilet or shower. It never occurred to me to ask that question, but you learn as you go along.

plastic water bottle cut in half to use as an improvised wine glass with view over Tasmanian coastline, Australia — Wine ‘glass’ It doesn’t always have to be classy – sometimes it just has to serve the purpose

Does the tour price also include instructions? I’ve seen tours advertised where there is an extra daily fee for tuition

And don’t forget that one of the most important parts of choosing a photography tour is your time! Make sure when you are comparing tours, especially the same length, that you take into account how much time is actually in the field.

Some tours offer more down-time than others. One three day tour could offer four shoots, having allowed time for a sleep in and/or an early night. Another tour offering the same three days could offer six, including sunrise and sunset each day.

What Other Costs Will There Be?

The opposite side of what is included, and equally important, is what other costs might not be included.

Things to consider here can include transport during the tour, entry fees and tips etc.

What Is The Refund Policy?

This should be fairly easy to ascertain. How much (if any) money can you get back if plans or circumstances change. This would include the amount of notice required, and whether you can transfer any payments to another tour in the future.

What Are The Terms And Conditions?

Most companies will have a list covering certain situations. These can vary so it pays to check them out thoroughly.

Things to consider here –

How much deposit is required to hold your place?
When is the final payment due
Cancellation periods and refunds (see above for more info as this one can be really important)
Inclusions and exclusions
Do they list physical requirements?

These are just the main things to consider, but don’t underestimate their importance when choosing a photography tour. Things can and do change, so take the time to know what to expect.

What Is The Group Size or Client/Leader Ratio?

A really important factor to consider before choosing a photography tour is the group size.

This includes the ratio of instructors or guides to participants.

A larger group can be cheaper, but it can mean receiving less instruction or attention. It can also create problems when you go to locations that don’t have a lot of room.

Personally, I find the ideal group size is between six and ten. When the numbers get higher than this, it can get crowded and impersonal.

Illawarra Jetty, NSW, Australia – we had to take turns to get this shot so it was good that there was only a few of us

What Level Of Teaching Is Provided?

You don’t want to end up on a tour where everyone else is quite advanced if you are only a beginner.

Research what level of skills the photography tour caters for, and make sure it matches where you are at.

Also remember that one of the benefits of doing a tour are the relationships you develop with those you are with. The more you have in common, including skills, the more you will connect.

What Will You Learn?

Be clear on what the focus is of the photo tour. Even in a landscape photography tour, there is a wide variety of techniques and styles that can be covered.

These can include mountains, seascapes, sunrise/sunset, long exposures, panning, time lapse, astrophotography and so on.

It would be no point me doing a tour that, although landscape, focussed on nighttime photography. That’s wine time!

I prefer smaller tours where the owner is also the main leader. I can then speak to them personally to clarify further details, and I can get a sense of their personality. For me I enjoy a relaxed, laid back atmosphere with lots of laughs. But that may not be you.

And as I’ve said before, a good photographer does not always equate to a good teacher. Try and get a sense of their teaching style by reading previous reviews and testimonials.

If you know anyone personally who has done tours, ask them. As with many things, word of mouth is hard to beat.

Have Realistic Expectations

What are your expectations from your tour? It’s really important to be clear on this before you choose.

I’m sure you’ve seen all the leaders’ beautiful images on their website or social media. If you’re a beginner is it reasonable to expect to come home with the same images?

Probably not …

Firstly, most photographers edit their work, and it’s difficult to replicate this. Even more so if you don’t have any critique or editing sessions throughout your tour.

It’s also unlikely you’ll visit under the exact same conditions. It’s pretty unlikely you’ll get an amazing sunrise and sunset every day at every location.

It would be very unusual if all the images you’ve seen are from only one trip. Most are portfolios of images taken over several years.

Seasons of course also play a big part. You’re not going to see snow in summer at most locations.

Field of lavender at sunset - used as an example of going to the right location at the right time as lavender is only seasonal — As Lavender is only a seasonal flower, it’s essential that you go at the right time of the year. Image taken at Bridestowe Lavender Estate

Itinerary

Photography tours are not just about learning. One of the main goals is to get you to the best locations in the best conditions. A good leader knows the area well, and takes you to the best spots.

This will drive the itinerary and save you so much wasted time finding the best locations on your own.

One of the first things I look for when choosing a photography tour is the itinerary. For me it’s important to have a balance of detail and flexibility.

For me it’s important that there is also some down time built in there. This is preferably during the day when the light is not the best for photography. That time is good to download, backup and review some images.

Then there is the opportunity to ask any questions about technique or composition while on the tour. It’s too late once you’ve got home if you find you are consistently missing something you feel is important.

Does the tour allow enough time in the iconic locations to allow for different lighting and/or conditions. This may not be possible if you’re travelling from one end of a country to another in a short space of time,

Time is of course the most valuable commodity for any travel, so this can be a balancing act.

One of the many ‘iconic’ locations along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

One of the main benefits of a photo tour is that you don’t waste time trying to find locations – that is what the leader is there for!

You don’t want to be that rushed between locations that you don’t have time to enjoy the experience. That extra day or two really can change your time, and your images if you’re not exhausted.

A good leader will have more than one location to shoot to suit the conditions wherever possible. They will be checking the weather apps to give you the best options available, and are prepared to be flexible.

Is There Any Follow Up Support After The Tour?

Is it simply over when the tour ends, or can you ask follow up questions?

I’ve had all sorts of follow up support from none, to a zoom catch up call a week or two after, to ongoing email support.

This may not be an essential requirement, but it is good to know before you choose your photography tour.

Final Tips So You Get The Most Out Of Your Photography Tour

Be prepared –

Know the basics of your camera
Read all the instructions the leader sends you
Have all the recommended gear with you
Have a list of things you want to learn or improve on

Ask questions –

Never assume anything – if it’s not clear, ask!
Think about what matters most to you, and contact them to get your questions answered. They should be more than happy to answer any reasonable questions, as well as address any concerns you may have.
How well and timely they answer your questions will also help your decision when choosing your photography tour.

To sum it up, do your research, have the recommended gear, and you will have an incredible experience. Better than that, if you’ve chosen the right photo tour, you will come home with incredible images you can’t wait to share.

To conclude, get your photos off your computer as soon as you get home.

Don’t leave them stuck on your computer – get them into your home – and beyond …

If you’re looking for some inspiration check this out – Creative And Fun Ways To Actually Display Your Treasured Memories .

I hope these tips help you when it comes to choosing a photography tour. Let me know in the comments below if there’s anything else you consider important when making your choice – I’d love to hear.

That’s it for now – Keep clicking and stay caffeinated

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Note – This post does not contain any sponsored or affiliated links. All suggestions and opinions are mine. Unless otherwise stated, all photos are mine and remain my copyright images – Sam Wilson Photography.

Choosing A Photography Tour