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This is the fourth installment in the series Choosing a Photography Tour or Workshop addressing how to choose the tour/workshop leader. This takes some research but in my experience it is time well spent! Here is a starting list of the questions you will want to answer for yourself when considering any tour or workshop:

• What is his/her experience leading tours – how many years/tours have they led?


• What is his/her experience in the location?
  
  
  
  1. Do they live in the area? Not necessary, but definitely a plus.
  
  
  2. How many tours have they led to this location?


• Do they take the type of photos that you would like to emulate? A few examples of differences:
  
  
  1. Epic landscape scenes
  
  
  2. Intimate landscapes
  
  
  3. Street Photography
  
  
  4. Macro
  
  
  5. Expressionism
  
  
  6. Abandoned Structures/decay
  
  
  7. Night Photography


• Are they well known – published in Outdoor Photography, competition winning images, well established blog with instructional articles, etc. This is not a requirement per se, but price should reflect the photographer’s level of expertise.


• The workshop description should layout their terms and conditions for payment , cancellation, and what they expect of their attendees as well as what their attendees can expect of them.


• Check for Reviews, Testimonials and referrals from friends


• What is their background – athlete, teacher, etc. An athlete or photographer of extreme sports may be hard to keep up with. If you are looking for good instruction, look for testimonials that refer to the leader as a great teacher.


• Read their blog to get a feeling for their “style” of workshop – are they hard pushing photographers chasing the light, or do they state photography is meant to be enjoyed with a glass of wine? Will down time include going to the finest restaurants in the area – is the leader known for any particular tendencies?


• Has the tour leader learned anything about you before the tour? It shows the instructor’s level of interest in you, concern that the tour will address what your reasons are for choosing the tour, and perhaps willingness to mold the tour to suit your needs, rather than see you as just a paycheck. A good instructor will make you feel welcome and should be able to listen to your wants and desires for your time together. I will be honest – this is hard to find.


• Will the tour or workshop leader be shooting? Some leaders state that they will only shoot after everyone else is set up and has been visited to make sure they are on the right track (and stick by that). Others will take the best spot with the best light and immediately start shooting, paying no attention to you.


• A photo tour operator should have all of the necessary permits and permissions for the locations visited and a trusted reputation with the locals and the agencies with whom they work.


• Are the photos in their website gallery better than yours? Do they inspire you and motivate you to be a better photographer? Do their photos speak to you?

This last item is the most important to me, but you should determine for yourself how important each of these items are to you and select the best fit for your ideals.