How We Organize Our Photo Tours

Harry Fisch

THE MOST INCREDIBLE DESTINATIONS AND PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHY. 

India, China, Nepal, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Cuba, Peru and many more…We specialize in people photography and exotic destinations with a strong visual appeal .

Photographic opportunities related to people and cultural diversity: unique locations, spontaneous street photography, planed private photo sessions in very special surroundings.

A UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE. 

In crafting and coordinating photo tours at Nomad Photo Expeditions, I constantly bear in mind our primary objective: to go above and beyond in fulfilling the dreams of the photographers who join us on our journeys.

The photographic encounter and the personal journey should be unique, enjoyable, and unforgettable.

This is precisely what we endeavor to achieve: incredible destinations, exceptional locations within these destinations, interesting subjects and scenes, top-notch photographic support, and a consistently positive day-to-day atmosphere. All of this complemented by excellent lodging and cuisine…

IT’S ABOUT WHERE BUT -MOST OF ALL- IT’S ABOUT WHAT.

Just being in Paris doesn’t guarantee you get to know Paris, just like being in Varanasi, New Delhi or Ulaan Baatar, doesn’t guarantee you get to know the places.

Far more than the importance of the destination itself is finding the interesting themes and subjects in each location.

You need to know what is authentic or of genuine photographic interest and what isn’t, and you need, of course, a solid connection to the locals.

All our previous on-site work is aimed at achieving a scenario where we can capture photos of exceptional interest, infused with a certain degree of intimacy, within a relatively untouched photographic space.

It’s only after years of on-the-ground photographic experience that one truly understands a location’s unique ambiance, discovers off-the-beaten-path spots, and learns how to forge connections with the locals, embracing their reality.

THE DESIGN OF THE ITINERARY. 

Each itinerary and each photo tour as been designed taking advantage of the personal “on-site” experience and pinpointing new photo opportunities on each of the successive visits to the same region: not only the stops of course and what is in each stop, but the people, the day to day places, the events, how we reach a special location, have we access to a “real” and hidden local spot.

It is not a sum of visits and locales, one shouldn’t treat it like collecting clichés and postcards. Even after having being there several times, I carefully analyze each itinerary to see what the new photo opportunities offer for the next trip to the place.

We have travelers of all ages and all levels: from casual hobbyists to pros; there are no two people who are the same, who have the same way of viewing reality, nor realizing a story via a camera lens

THE SCHEDULE. 

Everything revolves around the schedule. Where we sleep, what time we leave, how we get places. Many times it is more convenient to stay in one location for two straight days to allow everyone to take quality photos and correct any problems we may find. A good location is key, it allows us to form actual relationships with the locals, and helps us better our focus, or experiment with other points of view.

THE SIZE AND STYLE OF THE GROUP. 

We put together small groups, between 7 and 10 people at the most, which I keep small in order to fit in all of the special interests of each participant.

About 80 % of our trips are Photo Tours, and about 20 % are workshops. On a photo tour we spend about 90% of our photo time taking photos, and about 10% on analyzing them and honing our vision.

We strive to approach to each and every one of the participants in an individual capacity, and their needs vary greatly: some are concerned with technique, others with how to approach human subjects, and almost all of them with their personal approach to the artistic element of photography.

So, for these fundamental reasons, we keep the groups small.

THE HOTELS.

Our priority, when choosing accommodation, is to give you proximity to the desired photographic location and contact with local people. With a few exceptions, we stay at well-placed hotels that allow us to reach the area of photography in a short time, and have good amenities, such as that have private bathrooms, air conditioning and/or fans.  You can have a look to some of our activities with Nomad clients here. 

It will be predominantly 4 Stars Hotels and Boutique Hotels.  Every now and then we could be staying in a 3 Stars Hotel due to  the difficulty of finding a better lodging or as a result of the distance between the town we are staying and the event of festivity we are attending.  We can occasionally sleep in tents or yurts but, when it happens, it is on an incidental basis, one or two nights only, and we do it to immerse ourselves in the most authentic atmosphere and share life with the locals (for example in Mongolia, or in the Aral Sea extension in Uzbekistan).

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPORT.

Some participants would like to receive some assistance in the photographic technique, others prefer to act on their own and without professional assistance.  Much of the style of the tutoring -if required-   is focused on the analysis of the work needed to create a picture: what can be relevant to a scene, how to establish the plot of the photograph, how to guide the eye of the viewer, create a rhythm and a direction for the photograph.

THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION.

At the photo tours with Nomad Photo Expeditions, we work on how to tell the story we see in front of our eyes, and how to convey an emotion through our pictures. We all need stories in order to understand the world, and travel photographers more than anybody else.

Empathy and emotional connection are imperative in a good picture; we need both to bring to life a main character who the viewers will attach to.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER, TOUR LEADER.

On a photo tour, the quality, capacity and the positive attitude of the lead photographer is essential in assuring a good experience. The role of a tour leader extends beyond technical expertise; emotional and psychological capacities are important for effectively leading a photographic group. A photo-tour leader should not only navigate the technical aspects but should also cultivate an environment where every photographer feels supported, motivated, and inspired to capture their best shots.

The photographer who leads a Nomad Photo Tour knows that his attention should always first be on the client; the client/photographer always takes priority.

It’s difficult to learn from someone who has no real mastery over the material they are going to impart. In the case of a photo tour, the important thing is the capacity of the Lead not only to orient the participants, but also to help and tutor them if they feel the need.