For the last three years I have (co-)hosted many photo tours, or photo workshops, in both Iceland and Greenland. 2024 is even shaping up to become my busiest workshop-year thus far with many planned trips. Needless to say, I really enjoy guiding such photography-oriented experiences. Not only do I get to meet a lot of interesting and great photographers from all over the world but I also get to see how their photography evolves and improves during and after their workshop experience. To me, it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do as a nature photographer and I’m grateful for it.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get in my direct messages on social media is: “How are photo workshops or photo tours different from ‘regular & touristy’ guided tours?“. With this blog, I decided to answer that very question a bit more elaborately by highlighting my 5 reasons why a photo tour can help level up your photography.
What Should You Expect On A Photo Tour Or Photo Workshop?
Before we can dive into my top 5 reasons why participating in a photo tour can help you take your photography to the next level, I want to explain what you should expect from a photo tour or workshop. Or at least, what you can expect on my photography workshops.
Together with other established photographers in the field of nature photography, we offer a great variety of photo workshops in small groups. The goal of these photo tours is first and foremost to explore an area with photography in mind. We bring you to highly photographable locations, while also providing sufficient time to properly explore the area you are shooting. We will help you figure out what the ‘classic’ angles and perspectives are. Aside from those shots, there is also plenty of time to wait for changing light or to explore the area more to find alternative perspectives. While we do check in on your progress, we also expect some proactivity when you need help. Finally, if we are unable to spend time outside, we will dive into post-processing. The end goal is to return home with not only great experiences but also with great images.
Knowing that, what are the benefits of joining on a photo tour?
Most of my favourite images taken in 2023 came from a few amazing photo workshops I (co-)hosted.
1. Not Having To Worry About Being At The Right Place At The Right Time
Arguably the biggest convenience of participating in a photography workshop or photo tour is that you will always be in the right place at the right time, thanks in part to extensive local knowledge. There is no need for extensive research before your trip. You can quite literally pack your gear, be guided to the scene and start shooting. Each of the photo workshops I (co-)host are under the lead of experienced professional photographers. Our goal is to get the most out of the conditions that are thrown at us. Each of my photo workshops are also planned in such a way that we have sufficient redundancy in case of bad weather, or allowing us to revisit locations several times.
Being at the right place at the right time is one of your biggest benefits of travelling with seasoned professional photographers who have extensive local knowledge.
Spending five days on a remote island in the Greenland Sea truly allows you to get stunning puffin images, but it also allows you to really experiment and improve your wildlife photography skills.
Let me illustrate that with a few more concrete examples:
- During the Puffins in the Midnight Sun photo workshop, we spend several days on a remote island. This allows you to look at your photographs, evaluate them and improve upon them. It also allows you to be ‘coached’ during the morning image critique sessions so you can visibly see your photography improve. Finally, and possibly the most important aspect, it gives you time to understand their behaviour which will result in better opportunities.
- During the photo workshops organised in the Icelandic Highlands, we spend multiple days in the same hotel so you do not have to think about packing and unpacking every day. This also allows us to adjust the schedule if needed depending on the weather conditions.
- During the West Greenland photo workshops, we spend multiple days photographing the Icefjord. This allows us to truly focus on getting the best possible images out of the trip.
- During the winter photo tours in Iceland, we revisit the same locations several times so we can get the most out of the difficult weather conditions we are often confronted with in that time of year.
2. Learning Photography In The Field
While learning photography in the comfort of your home can be very convenient, for example via YouTube videos or photography blogs, it will always remain abstract until you go out in the field. The best way to learn photography is to actually do it and practice. Go out and try! Because everyone on a photo workshop is there with the purpose of photography, you get all the time to shoot, change perspectives, try different settings and improve your skills by trying new approaches.
Being out in the field is the best way to quickly improve your photography skills. This is especially true when talking about drone photography as you can not only fly yourself but also look at how a professional photographer gets the most out of his drone.
3. Photo Tours Allow You To Learn From Other Photographers
One of the most beautiful things about nature photography, and photography in general, is that we all look at things in our own way. You can quite literally put 10 people in front of a scene and those 10 people will return with 10 different photographs, 10 different perspectives and 10 different ideas of the same subject. This is something that has become even more apparent to me since I began organising photo tours. During every photo tour, participants learn from each other. And admittedly, even I learn from them. To me, this is the most rewarding aspect of participating (and hosting) photography workshops.
Being out in the field gives you the unique opportunity to learn from other participants/photographers as well as from the people guiding the workshop.
4. Being Able To Ask A Professional Photographer Questions
Another huge advantage to being a photo tour, is that you get access to one or two experienced professional photographer(s) while you’re actually shooting. This means that at any given time during the photo tour, you can ask us questions.
- Are you struggling with composition?
- Are you unsure of what settings to use?
- Are you struggling getting a sharp image?
All of these questions can be asked while you’re out and about, doing a critique session or while we have dinner together. Being in a more informal atmosphere, also lowers barriers that may limit you from asking questions. Finally, while shooting you may even think of more questions to ask as you try and develop your photography skills.
Especially on the Puffins in the Midnight Sun photo workshop, we aim to have a lot of image critique sessions to help you get the most out of your shots.
5. Travelling With The Purpose Of Photography
I’ve already touched upon this in a previous paragraph, but it’s too important not to mention it on its own. Travelling with the purpose of photography means you will travel to locations, precisely because they offer photographic opportunities. It also means you will spend more time in each location and that you can travel without feeling the stress of making other people wait for you. For photographers, light is everything. We adjust schedules, when possible, to favourable light and/or weather conditions so you can get the most out of it.
Travelling with the purpose of photography means you give yourself more opportunities to get the very most out of your vacation.
Join A Photo Workshop In 2024 & Beyond!
Always wanted to experience Iceland or Greenland through your passion for photography? These unique photo workshops, or maybe even a private tour or photo workshop, might be something for you. I work together with a variety of established landscape and wildlife photographers to bring you the best possible photo workshop experience. Below you can also find testimonies of previous photo workshop experiences or you can also read about previous photo workshops on my blog.
Interested in getting notified when new photo workshops are announced? Make sure to sign up to the photo workshop waitlist.
Join me on a few epic photography adventures in 2024 or 2025!
Photo Workshops in 2024 With Some Availability
Puffins in the Midnight Sun with Anja Robanke
Dates: 18/06/2024 – 23/06/2024
Every year millions of seabirds come to Grímsey for nesting. It’s also the home to one of Iceland’s biggest puffin colonies. And together with 24 hours of daylight, there are endless possibilities. Looking to improve your bird and/or wildlife photography skills? This photo workshop is the ideal place to do just that!
Iceland Highlands in Summer with Andrea Livieri
Dates: 06/07/2024 – 13/07/2024
When it comes to photography, the Icelandic Highlands offers a wealth of opportunities for photographers making the Highlands a photographer’s dream location. During this photo workshop we will explore the most interesting part: the southern Icelandic Highlands.
Icelandic Highlands with Mads Peter Iversen
Dates: 02/08/2024 – 09/08/2024
What Previous Photo Tour Participants Have Said…
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