A photography tour is not just a holiday with a camera. It is an experience built around light, timing, creativity, and connection. It is about slowing down, exploring purposefully, and returning home with images you are genuinely proud of, not just snapshots.
If you have ever stood in a beautiful location at the wrong time of day, harsh midday light, crowds all around, the moment lacking any real atmosphere, then you will understand why photography tours exist.
A photography tour is not your typical sightseeing holiday. It is a slower, more intentional way of travelling. Rather than racing from location to location, we focus on fewer places, visiting them when the light is at its best, often early in the morning or just before dusk. We spend time in each location, allowing ourselves to settle into the scene. When you slow down and truly take in a place, you begin to see it differently. Your eyes settle. Your creativity sharpens. The details start to emerge. That texture on a stone wall. The shape of a shadow. The curl of sea mist over a hill.
When you join one of my photography tours, whether that is a week in the Faroe Islands, a winter adventure in the Lofoten Islands, or chasing wild light in Donegal, you are joining a small group of people who share that same desire, to be in the right place at the right time, camera in hand, ready to capture something truly special.
We Go Where the Light Takes Us
Each tour is carefully planned, but also completely flexible, and that is important. While we have a rough itinerary, the weather is our guide. I am constantly checking forecasts, reading the light, and adjusting our plans so that we are always in the best possible spot at the right moment. It could mean switching sunset locations last minute or waking up earlier to catch a gap in the clouds. That is part of the fun, the chase.
We are not sightseeing in the traditional sense. Some of the places we go, most tourists will never see, hidden valleys, quiet coastal corners, mountain passes with no name. And when we do visit iconic spots, it is never at midday. We go when the crowds are less, and the light is just right.
A Slower Rhythm to the Day
The structure of the day is quite different from your typical holiday. We usually shoot in the early morning and again in the evening, when the light is the best The time between is yours.
But that is not to say we will not shoot during the middle of the day too. If the conditions are right, we will absolutely be out. Flexibility is key. Some of the best images come when you least expect them, so I always keep an eye on the light and weather in case something special develops.
Some guests use the downtime to review and edit their photos, get some rest, or simply enjoy a slower pace of travel. Others explore the area around our accommodation, whether it is wandering through a village, hiking a nearby trail, or going to a museum. There is no pressure. No rush. Just the freedom to enjoy your surroundings at your own pace.
Trust the Process, Even When It Is Sunny
One thing I like to mention is that when the weather is beautiful during the middle of the day, it can be tempting to think we are missing opportunities by not being out shooting. I totally get that. But truthfully, we are not wasting time, we are choosing the right time.
Photographing in the middle of the day often means flat, harsh light with little atmosphere. It is not ideal for landscape photography, no matter how nice it feels outside. That is why we focus our energy on sunrise and sunset, or other specific windows based on the forecast, times when the light adds mood, drama, and magic to a scene.
You might be surprised, but when you add it all up, you are probably spending just as many hours out in the landscape as you would on a regular tourist holiday. The rhythm is just different.
There are days when we are up at 4am to catch first light, out shooting until 9am, then have a good chunk of the day to rest, explore locally, or go through your images. In the late afternoon, we are back out again, often from 3pm until well after sunset, sometimes around 10pm. It is a full day, just built around quality rather than quantity.
Why Do We Not Shoot All Day?
It is a fair question. If we are here to take photos, why not just shoot from dawn to dusk?
The truth is, it is simply not sustainable, for you or for me. On many tours, especially in spring or autumn, our days can start very early. I might be up from 3:30am (just as an example) to check conditions, prep the van, and get everything ready for a sunrise shoot. Then I am guiding, driving, helping with gear and composition, making decisions around locations and weather, all the way through until after sunset. If we tried to fill every hour of the day with shooting, that would quickly lead to burnout. And I am no use to anyone if I am running on fumes.
I want each session to feel fresh and focused. I want to be at my best, especially when safety is involved. Sometimes we are travelling hours between locations, navigating twisty roads or unpredictable conditions. So that rest in the middle of the day is there for good reason.
More importantly though, my tours are designed to help you go home with the best possible images. We do not shoot just for the sake of it. If the light is flat and harsh and the conditions are not right, it is often better to pause, reset, and prepare for the next opportunity rather than force a shot that will never make the final cut. I would rather give you five powerful, well-crafted images than fifty taken in the wrong conditions.
If you enjoy shooting all day, even under the midday sun, that is totally fine, but my tours might not be the right fit for you. What I offer is a more considered approach, built around patience, preparation, and knowing when to press the shutter.
That said, not every tour has the same rhythm. On my winter tours in Ireland, for example, the light can be soft and beautiful throughout the day. Depending on the conditions, we might shoot most of the day with just a short break around midday. In places like the Lofoten Islands in January, we are out from about 9am to 5pm, as sunrise is not until 11am and sunset comes quickly after. Then after dinner, we are back out again chasing the northern lights.
It Is Not Just About the Photos
Photography tours are as much about the experience as they are about the images. Yes, we want to come home with photographs we are proud of, but we also want to remember what it felt like to be there. That sense of stillness before sunrise, the quiet moments shared with a small group of people all chasing the same light.
And speaking of groups, they are intentionally small. I cap most tours at 3 to 5 people, which keeps things personal and relaxed. It also means there is time for proper one-to-one tuition. Whether you are learning how to shoot in manual for the first time or looking to fine-tune your compositions, I am there to help. No egos. No judgement. Just a shared love for photography.
Who Are Photography Tours For?
You do not need to be a professional. You do not even need the latest gear. What matters most is your passion and curiosity. I have had complete beginners and seasoned photographers on the same trip, and both have found it equally rewarding.
The common thread is this. You love photography, and you want to spend your time doing it properly. You want to be around people who do not mind getting up early, waiting for the light, and stopping the car every ten minutes because the view just keeps getting better.
Photography Tour vs Photography Workshop
It is worth explaining the difference between a photography tour and a photography workshop, because they are not the same.
A photography tour is about being in the right place at the right time, giving you the best possible chance to create beautiful images. The focus is on locations, timing, and working with the light.
A workshop is usually more structured, with set lessons, group critiques, and formal instruction. My trips are sold as photography tours, but that does not mean I leave you on your own. I offer help and support to anyone who needs it. There is no fixed list of topics we cover. I leave it up to you to ask the questions you need answered. I am not a mind reader, but if I notice someone is struggling, I will always step in and offer help. It is a relaxed, flexible approach to learning.
Why Join My Tours?
There are plenty of photography tours out there, but what I offer is personal, purposeful, and built around real experience.
I keep the groups small so that there is time for everyone. I focus on light, weather, and flexibility, not ticking boxes. I take care of the logistics, from accommodation and transfers to planning and guiding, so you can focus on your photography.
This is not a rushed itinerary with tight schedules. It is about slowing down, enjoying the experience, and going home with something meaningful.
What You Will Take Away
By the end of a tour, you will have more than a memory card full of great shots. You will have a deeper understanding of light and composition, a clearer sense of your photographic style, and memories that last far beyond the images. You will have shared laughs, long days, early mornings, and moments that only happen when people come together with a shared passion.
