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In this last segment of the series on how to choose a photography tour or workshop I address the need to take into consideration the number of participants expected on the tour or workshop. The number of participants on the tour or workshop is one of the first things I look for when shopping for a quality tour that has the most potential for my enjoyment. This section is a little tongue-in-cheek, but based on my own experiences – every one of these things have affected my enjoyment of a tour or workshop! It is not precise – some of the cons to a larger group size can also happen with smaller group sizes, but it is meant to show the greater likelihood of occurrence…. you get the picture. So here is how I evaluate and compare group participant numbers:

1. +1’s: Does the tour allow spouse/ +1’s to come along to field locations – an advertised tour for 10 people is already 11 with one instructor, 12 with two instructors, then add three +1’s and the 10 max is now 15. Even if the +1’s do not go to field locations, they will still up the number of people who need to be seated at a restaurant.


2. Small group of 5 or 6:
   
   PRO:
   1. potentially provide transportation in a van or 3 row vehicle
      
   2. more flexibility with destinations – can more easily park one or two vehicles on the side of the road than to park a caravan of 5 or more vehicles.
      
   3. more face time with the instructor in the field, potentially more hands-on help
      
   4. more likely participants are photography “pros” rather than vacationers.
   
   
   5. Fewer people to walk into your shot or take the “best spot” to capture a specific photo
   
   
   6. easier to seat at a restaurant
   
   
   7. shorter lines to pay the bill, use a public restroom
   
   CON:
   1. usually more expensive
      
   2. need to get along with everyone
   
   
3. Groups of 10 or more:
   
   PRO:
   1. less expensive
      
   2. more people to interact with
   
   CON:
   1. Vehicle caravans are difficult to park on the side of the road, end up passing up some photo opportunities because of lack of safe parking – particularly true for places like the Palouse.
      
   2. Lead vehicle (tour guide) cannot hear your cries of “stop here!” as they drive by what you think is an epic scene.
      
   3. Tour guide is busy with the “squeaky wheel” person who just can’t figure out how to use his/her camera.
      
   4. More likely that some participants may be “vacationing with their camera” and will dart into souvenir shops near that gas station and hold up the group from getting to the next destination.
      
   5. More people to walk into your shot, and likely that there will be some who really don’t care if they are now standing directly in front of you or getting that close up of the cat’s face on an abandoned car when you just want a shot of the abandoned car with a cat on it before the cat is chased away by the stalking photographer.
      
   6. In an effort to be considerate of everyone else taking a photo of the same abandoned car you must stand back away from the car when all you want to do is get up close with your wide angle lens.
      
   7. Always someone that misses their alarm in the morning and hold up the sunrise departure.
      
   8. Always someone who doesn’t hear what the plan is at a location and wanders off without knowing when to meet back at the vehicle, then people scatter to find that person, and then they are missing when the original wanderer returns……. repeat.
      
   9. Always someone who doesn’t fill their gasoline tank when everyone else does and then everyone must try to find a gas station in the middle of nowhere rather than get to that sunset on time.
      
   10. Always someone has to pee every 20 minutes
       
   11. When you go to the public bathroom everyone gets in line – can be there 20 or more minutes
       
   12. Waiting at restaurants to find a table that seats 15 people
       
   13. Waiting at restaurants for that one person who has to order desert even though it is 10PM and everyone else just wants to go back to the hotel to sleep.
       
   14. Waiting at restaurants for everyone to use the restroom
       
   15. Waiting at a restaurant for everyone to pay their bill – usually have to split out the ticket at the cash register.
       
   16. Someone leaves their camera bag/tripod at a location, and everyone has to turn back to go look for it.
       
   17. Someone is not capable of a hike to a destination, excluding the rest of the group from that photo opportunity, even though the description of the tour stated you would need to hike 2 miles round trip.
       
   18. Um…. did I mention that each of these has happened on a tour I’ve attended?

   Physical Requirements:
   The tour or workshop should list the amount of physical exertion required to get to destinations – some tour or workshops may require long hikes or rock scrambles that not everyone is capable of doing.