Small group photo tours and photo holidays are becoming increasingly popular in places like Myanmar, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Africa, Europe and the United States.

And why not? Why not have a great holiday and learn something of value in the process? Why not have a lot of fun with other like-minded people and make some great new friends? Another meaningless week of cocktails on the beach in Cancun? Please.

Now it\’s true the cost of photo tours can be quite high, up to $900 a day for some \”celebrity\” level photography tours, but they can also be as low as $250 a day. It all comes down to the level of accommodation and the fees charged by the photographer(s).

It\’s also important to understand when shopping around, that the most well known and most expensive photographer\’s, as often as not, do NOT make the best tour leaders and instructors. Look for inside local knowledge from a photographer, not just a once a year pop-in to pick up some easy cash.

With technological advances in cameras over the last 15 years, interest in photography has taken off like a rocket, and more and more people are making it at least a \”serious\” hobby. The high level photo tour offers the hobbyist the guidance of one or more professional photographers as well as the insider location access. Often pro level photographers also take these tours, to learn new techniques from someone who has already mastered them, and/or for the instant location access that would otherwise take a lot of time and energy to find on their own.

What to Bring on Photo Tour – Travel Light!

Every photographer has their own way of doing things. Some are minimalists with one camera, an 18-200mm zoom and maybe a back-up point & shoot. No tripod, no flash. Others are equipment fiends with four a five cameras & assorted lenses, filters, and a tripod so heavy it wouldn\’t wobble in a hurricane. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, and much of what we bring is determined by our shooting style.

Just keep in mind that with most photo tours being 10 – 14 days of continuous travel and photography, often getting up before the dawn, they require a lot of energy. Carrying around a ton of equipment can quickly become an unnecessary drag on that energy.. The only exception would be for a shooter who is doing something very specialized where the extra gear is a necessity. And this is the key – bring only what is necessary or very likely to be used. Photography is much more about the photographer than the equipment, and you\’d be amazed at how little some of the best shooters in the world carry.

Try not to bring hard cases on photo tour. They are heavy, difficult to pack into vehicles and the small aircraft often used in more exotic locations like Burma or Africa. Soft cover bags with well padded inserts that fit your essential gear, and into the smaller sized overhead compartments (or under a seat) on the aircraft are recommended.

Consider brands like Think Tank & Lowe Pro, as well as a two bag solution: one bag that fits everything you need to take on board the plane (including laptop or tablet) and a smaller bag to take only what you\’ll need for each day\’s shooting. Your clothes & toiletries bag should also be soft and as small as possible.

For more details and to learn what it\’s actually like on photo tour, please stay tuned for this continuing series of articles.

Bennett Stevens is a writer/photographer and co-founder of Luminous Journeys, a joint U.S./ Myanmar travel company specializing in photography and affordable luxury travel in Myanmar. Photographs and Myanmar travel & tour information may be found at Luminous Journeys

Bennett Stevens is a writer/photographer and co-founder of Luminous Journeys, a joint U.S./ Myanmar travel company specializing in photography and affordable luxury travel in Myanmar. Photographs and Myanmar travel & tour information may be found at http://www.luminousjourneys.net Luminous Journeys

Author Bio: Bennett Stevens is a writer/photographer and co-founder of Luminous Journeys, a joint U.S./ Myanmar travel company specializing in photography and affordable luxury travel in Myanmar. Photographs and Myanmar travel & tour information may be found at Luminous Journeys

Category: Travel
Keywords: photo tour, photography tours, Myanmar travel, Myanmar travel photos, photo tours Myanmar, luxury tr