I'm Going on a Photo Trip, Should I Hire a Guide?

There was a time when I thought that going on photo workshops was a waste of money. My attitude was that I was a good photographer, I didn't need to pay a lot of money for a professional to give me tips. Although they would be welcomed and a nice addition, at first glance it just didn't justify the cost of many of these trips. At least not until I started to do some traveling on my own and discovered what the cost of those trips was really about. I compared my photos to those that did go on the trip. Where in the world was that shot? I never saw that place! Wow, look at the lighting, I should have gone in the afternoon rather than in the early morning.

Are you following me here? It isn't about the camera knowledge, the professional expects you to have a relatively good working knowledge of your camera and the basic photography skills. That is unless you took a beginner class in which case you probably haven't traveled too far at all. Those can be found online and performed in your backyard or home area. The professional guide expects to provide you with situational tips, but mostly what you're paying for is the knowledge of the area. Where the good shots are, some that aren't on the regular tourist routes, and when the best time to visit these spots are.

I lived outside the Smoky Mountain National Park and photographed extensively there. I was always running into photo groups run by such well known photographers as Tony Sweet. I looked up his workshops and marveled at the prices. Well, of course he is very well know and I'm not, he is a professional photographer and I'm not, but along with that his workshop success came from his knowledge of the area. He knew exactly when to be where. I realized that was what he was really selling, because I often ran into his group when I had planned to go shoot the same area. You see, I too knew the area. But I would sure consider going on one of his workshops on Whidby Island, WA. Going it on my own there was totally unproductive. Not to mention these guys often have special permission to go places we as individuals can not go.

The other time that a photo tour/workshop is highly recommended is overseas. The professionals have been there time and time again. They know where it is safe, the best place to stay and eat. It is also much safer to travel in numbers. These trips are often not too much more expensive than if you booked and planned everything on your own. They provide hotels and these are obtained at a group rate, transportation, usually a van and it too is included in the price. Some times some meals are included. One of my dream trips would be to go to Istanbul, Turkey and Venice, Italy with Jim Zuckerman. I know I would be safe and he actually hires models during the Festival of Venice that wear traditional costumes and provide some awesome photo memories and a fun time.

I chose to talk about Tony and Jim because I know them, but if I didn't how would I find a trip or guide that would provide good quality and maybe isn't so well known. That's easy, the internet. Look at their work. Most of guides post on FB now and have web sites of their work. They include such accolades as publications as well. Also, if they are local to the area you are going, they may not be published world over like Tony and Jim, but that doesn't mean they are any less skilled as a photo guide. The big answer is check out their work.

In an earlier post I wrote that getting a mentor is a way of improving your photo skills. This doesn't have to be in person either. For some time now I've been friends with Aphoto4 You on Face Book. She now has a new page just for her work, NATURE Photography by Aphoto4you.  Her work is incredible, she is located in the Yellowstone, Tetons and the Glacier National Park areas. To my knowledge she is not world famous but I would hire her as my guide in a minute. She truly knows where to go if you want wildlife, or landscapes. How do I know this? Her work is posted for all to enjoy. 


That being said, will I take my own advice on my trip to Yosemite next week. Yes, I have signed up with John Senser, to photograph Yosemite Falls at night with a full moon to capture a moonbow. I considered trying this on my own then realized, I've never been to this park, I'm not sure what I'm looking for, some posts on this say you can't readily see it but the camera can pick it up. Time to take the workshop, with a small group of like minded individuals and one professional that has spent his entire adult life doing this in this park. It's worth the money $82 for 4 or 5 hours. The next post you'll read here will be about my Yosemite trip. Until then


Happy Shooting!
Laura