Photography Tours FAQ

I understand that you may have questions before joining one of photography tours or workshops. That’s why I have compiled a list of the frequently asked questions to help you. From information on accommodation and food arrangements, to what to bring and what to expect, my FAQ section should have you covered. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help you have the best experience possible.

Yup! Chasing Light Tours is a photography tour and workshop company based in Derry, Ireland. The company is owned and operated by Tyler Collins Photography, a professional photographer and photo educator.

It is run by photographer Tyler Collins Photography.

You can email me on [email protected] and if you want to chat to me over the phone you can give me a ring on (+44) 07511 743 810.

Yes.  Chasing Light Tours is fully insured operating as a Tour Operator, Tour Guide and Driver. My Public Liability insurance covers me up to £1,000,000.

I take your safety extremely serious when on tours.

Absolutely yes.  It’s a requirement for all my tours and I will ask you to send me a copy prior to the start date.

A photography tour is designed to have you, the photographer, in the right place at the right time to maximise your photography opportunities.

We’ll go where the light is at it’s best or getting you to where you’ll have clear skies to watch and photograph the Aurora Borealis.

My photography tours and workshops, are both a photography tour and a photography workshop, I provide both the guiding and if it is required by the participant I will also provide instruction.

A photography workshop is designed to teach you new techniques on location or to learn new post production techniques in a classroom.

My photography tours and workshops, are both a photography tour and a photography workshop, I provide both the guiding and if it is required by the participant I will also provide instruction.

A “Discovery Tour” basically means  it’s the first time I’m running a photography tour to this particular location.

Consider this a photography tour where the price is at it’s lowest point, before the prices go up!

There is literally no difference between a “discovery tour” and my normal tours. The level of service I provide is exactly the same, I still give 110%, I’ll still be guiding you throughout, we’ll still be out shooting from dawn to dusk, we’ll still have a 9 seater van for 5 of us (where possible) and best of all, you’ll still get your own room!

I want my tours to be as personal as possible and this is why my tours are true small group tours and are limited to no more than 5 people per tour.

The final payment is due 60 days before the workshop start date.

If you’re booking within 60 days of departure date, I ask that you either pay in full or pay the deposit and settle the remaining balance as soon as you can. If you’re paying the deposit only please let me know when you will settle the remaining balance.

Once you book, in your welcome email this will tell you the exact date the final payment is due.

If for some reason you have to cancel your place on the tour or workshop, I will either offer you the choice of a place on a future workshop or I can refund you based on my refund policy.

You must contact me as soon as possible regarding your situation so that I can advertise the place to someone else and so that we can get you registered onto another course.

In the unlikely event that I don’t have the required numbers to run a given workshop, I reserve the right to cancel up to 30 days in advance. I can offer you a place on another future workshop, or I’ll refund all monies paid including the deposit.

If you do not turn up for the tour or workshop, I am unable to offer a refund or a place on another course.

Unfortunately I’m unable to give refunds due to unforeseen weather events during a workshop.

Greater than 60 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund excluding your deposit.
45 days: 75% refund
30 days: 50% refund
Less than 30 days: no refund

Any refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made, all refunds will be paid within 30 days from the cancellation date.

No refunds will be given for any accommodation, travel or any other costs incurred by delegates due to a cancellation. You must have travel insurance to cover any other travel expenses.

Note: if I manage to resell your place on a workshop, I will refund your deposit.

Flights are not included in the price. It is your responsibility to book your own flights to and from the destination. 

Do not book your flights until the tour is designated as a Guaranteed Departure.

I ask people to bring only one suitcase based on airline restrictions and their main camera bag.

Do NOT put your main camera bag in the hold luggage, take it onto the place with you as carry-on luggage.

I welcome all levels of photographers from absolute beginners to pros.

I do ask that you understand how the exposure triangle works (the relationship between shutter speed, ISO and aperture) and also understand the basics of operating your camera.

On the day we arrive we will visit the local supermarket where we will each buy our own food and enough for a few days. Everyone cooks for themselves or you can arrange between each other to group cook.

As long as the food is not fresh food then you can bring food with you, things like noodles, energy bars, cup-a-soups, pot noodles etc anything really that is sealed. The usual rules apply when traveling from country to country.

All my tours are spoken in English.

You don’t need to be an athlete by any means.  You must have good mobility and be able to walk up to 3 miles. 

As an example, Iceland and Lofoten – all locations are within 5 minutes walking distance from where we park the car.

Dolomites for example, it’s mountains and we could be hiking up hill for over an hour.

If you’re unsure whether you are suitable, just drop me a message.

Generally I will meet you at the final airport, or a prearranged location on the day 1 of the tour.

We’re in constant contact throughout as well so you won’t feel like you’re flying into the unknown. Once you book you will be given access to a private WhatsApp group.

Once you’ve booked you will be sent a welcome email which will detail all the camera and clothing equipment required.