Photography Trips for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on your first photography trip can be both exciting and, let’s face it, a little nerve-racking. As a beginner, planning and preparing properly can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a rewarding one. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your first photography trip a success.
– By Heidi Hughes

Why join a photography tour?

A photo tour offers much more than just the chance to take pictures– it’s a unique opportunity to:

• Learn from experts: Professional photographers will guide you through various techniques, offering hands-on instruction and personalized feedback.
• Build confidence: Being in a new environment, especially one with stunning landscapes or fascinating subjects, pushes you to experiment and try new things with your camera.
• Capture amazing moments: You’ll have access to places and events that can be hard to capture in everyday life, which will help build your portfolio and photography experience

What to look for in a beginner-friendly photography tour

When researching a photography tour, it’s essential to look for elements that will foster learning, growth, and hands-on experience. While certain types of photography–such as wildlife or landscape photography–can be exciting for beginners, it’s the design of the tour and how it’s structured that truly make a trip suitable for someone just starting out.

When booking a photography workshop, here’s what to look for to ensure it’s beginner-friendly and tailored to your needs:

• Small group sizes: Small group tours mean more personalized attention and better opportunities to ask questions and receive feedback.
• Expert instructors: Look for trips led by professional photographers who specialize in teaching beginners, ensuring they can break down complex concepts into understandable lessons.
• Practical workshops: The best tours provide hands-on learning experiences where you can put theory into practice, whether it’s through daily challenges or group photo critiques.
• A relaxed pace: Tours designed for beginners often ensure that the pace isn’t too rushed, allowing time to experiment with different techniques and styles.

Best types of photography trips for beginners: choosing the right trip

Embarking on a photography journey is a fantastic way to combine your love for travel, nature, and creativity. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for new inspiration, beginner-friendly programs offer a unique blend of hands-on learning, adventure, and meaningful conservation work.

Not all photo tours are created equal. Look for programs that provide practical and theoretical learning. Depending on your interest–whether it’s wildlife, landscape, or cultural photography–different types of tours can provide the right environment to practice and develop your skills. We’ll chat you through different types of photo tours;

1. Volunteer Photography Programs Abroad

Volunteer photography programs offer a unique advantage for beginners. These programs often blend the opportunity to learn photography with a chance to contribute to important causes, such as wildlife conservation or cultural preservation. Here’s why they’re a great choice for newcomers to the field:

• Learning by doing: Practical experience in the field
  Photography is a skill best learned through practice. In volunteer programs, especially those focused on wildlife, you get real-world shooting opportunities in diverse and dynamic environments. Rather than being confined to a classroom or studio, you’ll be shooting in the field. This is where beginners can make huge strides
• Structured learning with expert guidance:
  Many volunteer photography programs are designed with education in mind, and as a beginner, you’ll find that the combination of instruction and hands-on experience is incredibly beneficial. You’ll typically have the chance to work directly with professional photographers who can provide valuable feedback and mentoring in a non-competitive environment.
• One-on-one support:
  With smaller group sizes and individualized feedback, instructors are able to focus on your development and guide you through challenges as they arise. This focused approach helps build confidence and ensures you get the most out of your experience.
• Skill-Building in real time:
  In a volunteer setting, you’ll have the freedom to experiment with different settings, angles, and subjects in live environments. Instead of simply learning theory, you’ll be actively testing what you’ve learned and receiving tailored advice that helps you improve rapidly.

Room for mistakes

Beginners often struggle with the pressure to capture “perfect” shots, but volunteer programs tend to offer a more relaxed, supportive atmosphere. These programs usually focus more on the process of learning rather than on the final product. There’s no expectation for you to have a polished portfolio coming in–what’s important is the growth you experience during the trip.

• Room for mistakes: Mistakes are seen as part of the learning process. This encourages beginners to step outside their comfort zone, and try new techniques. You can experiment with your settings, try different compositions, and refine your skills without fear of judgment.
• Collaborative learning: Volunteer trips often bring together people from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of experience. This creates a collaborative learning environment where you can share experiences, learn from your peers, and build camaraderie while refining your craft.

An example of a wildlife photography volunteer program

Volunteer programs, like our Wildlife Photography and Conservation Program in Victoria Falls are the perfect starting point. This program is designed for beginners and offers the opportunity to sharpen your skills while contributing to important conservation efforts. It provides both a learning experience and the opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts. The hands-on approach of the program, combined with small group sizes, makes it ideal for beginners to sharpen their wildlife photography skills.

Browse through all our photography volunteer projects

2. Wildlife Photography Tours for Beginners

Wildlife photography is an excellent choice for beginners because it challenges you to practice and improve many core photography techniques, including action shots, focus, and framing. You’ll also learn how to adapt to changing conditions and capture subjects that may be in motion, which will significantly sharpen your overall photographic ability.

Wildlife photography tours offer beginners the chance to refine their skills in some of the most breathtaking locations in the world. These photo safaris give you access to incredible wildlife and landscapes, along with guidance from professional photographers who will teach you the technical and artistic elements of capturing animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re just starting out or building your portfolio, safaris offer:

• Access to stunning wildlife and landscapes.
• Guidance from photography professionals in a supportive environment.
• Immersive experiences that blend learning and adventure.

Our tours with Alan Hewitt, including our Botswana Photo Safari and South Africa Photo Safari, stand out as a perfect introduction for beginners, offering a blend of expert tuition and thrilling wildlife encounters– capture the majestic creatures of Africa in their natural habitat, a dream for any photographer! With small group sizes, you’ll have plenty of one-on-one time, fostering a personalized learning experience. Additionally, Alan’s hands-on approach ensures you receive tailored advice on composition, lighting, and camera settings. You’ll learn to capture fast-moving subjects like animals, honing your skills with shutter speed, focus, and timing.

Browse through all our wildlife photography tours

3. Landscape Photography Tours for Beginners

Landscape photography is another great option for beginners. Landscape photography tours provide the ideal opportunity to develop your technical skills while experiencing stunning environments. It’s the perfect way to learn to control your camera settings while observing the natural world around you. Plus, landscape photography often gives you time to think and experiment, allowing you to develop your own creative style.

Our photography tour in Namibia offers the perfect opportunity to combine learning, adventure, and cultural discovery. It is designed to enhance your photography skills while immersing you in the Namibia’s unique beauty.

This small-group photography tour is tailored for photographers of all levels. You’ll benefit from:

• Expert tutoring: Learn from two professional photography instructors, ensuring a 1:3 instructor-to-participant ratio for personalized guidance.
• Diverse focus areas: Wildlife, landscapes, and cultural photography are all covered, giving you a comprehensive learning experience.
• Customized learning: Choose the aspects of photography you want to focus on, from technical camera skills to artistic composition.

Browse through all our landscape photography trips

How to prepare: What to bring on your photography trip

1. Brush up on basics

Familiarize yourself with camera settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. This will help you make the most of the professional guidance during the program.

To make the most of your photography adventure, ensure you have the right gear:

• Camera: A basic DSLR or mirrorless camera with a versatile lens (18-55mm) is great for beginners. For wildlife photography, a telephoto lens is recommended.
• Accessories: Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, a tripod could also come in handy! (but not essential)
• Clothing: Pack according to the climate, ensuring comfort and practicality for outdoor excursions.
• Snacks and water: Stay fueled and hydrated.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Enjoy learning and experimenting with your photography.

2. Ask the Right Questions

Before committing to any photography tour, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask the organizers about the program’s suitability for beginners. Some key questions to consider include:

• Is the tour designed with beginners in mind? What kind of support will I receive?
• How much one-on-one time can I expect with the instructors?
• Are the subjects and locations suitable for those still learning basic techniques?
• Will I have opportunities to experiment with different camera settings and photography styles?

By asking these questions, you can ensure that you choose a trip that aligns with your learning needs and experience level. With the right program, a photography tour can be an incredibly rewarding experience, no matter where you are in your photography journey. With thoughtful preparation and an open mind, your first trip can be the start of a lifelong passion. So grab your camera and hit the road!