Photo Tours introduction

Introduction to Travel Images Photography Tours
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Introduction to Travel Images Photography Tours

 

 

 

Travel Images Photography Tours is a photo tour and travel specialist that, since 1988, has been synonymous with guided small group photography trips and workshops.

We specialize in domestic and international photo travel, and are a full time 'client first', and 'photography first' photo tour entity with group sizes ranging in size from 3 to 8 travelers. Our slightly larger groups, 8 to 12 travelers, are confined to South America, Asia, and our customized photography trips for camera clubs and so on.

Photo tour clients taking pictures during our tours

 
The short introduction to Travel Images photography tours on the home page is continued here . . .

We thoughtfully design our photography tours for photographers of all abilities, and are not content unless you return home as a better photographer complete with a large collection of exceptional images.

28 years of experience accounts for a wealth of knowledge gained in regard to locations, cultures, wildlife behavior and habitats, plus timing for the best light and consequently better images. Yes, it's all about the light, and you won't find us wandering about looking for the best locations because we go straight to them.

Our objective is to place our clients in the best locations for nature, landscape, wildlife and macro photography at the ideal time for the light.

Our itineraries and cost include lodging, land travel, meals as posted in the brochure, plus the photography guidance of John. There is never the need to follow a guide about in your own car.

Knowing that you need our photo tour information now we make everything available right here on the Travel Images Photography Tours website. Start below, and also peruse our concise Q + A list here. This removes the need, and delay, of emailing for information, though we do of course welcome questions via email at any time!

Our list of photo tours is extensive and rich in color, character and diversity, i.e. Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and the South Pacific. For details go here.

All of our photography tours are led by British photographer John Baker, who has been Idaho-based since 1985. John keeps things light-hearted, and his photography advice is shared in a casual, practical manner. In other words Travel Images is a 'user-friendly' zone!

You'll find that our clients are friendly folk with insights, stories, and experiences which contribute greatly to what John is able to offer. The destination is important of course, but the journey there with old and new friends is one to be savored and celebrated. We therefore believe wholeheartedly that you will love our photography tours.

It's about the light . . . and you
Our goal is to place clients in enriching photographic situations whereby the 'classroom' is the location, and to get you there at the right time and light for highest quality photographs of the world's best landscapes, natural history subjects, and accessible wildlife. If you don't return home a better photographer then we will have failed . . . and we're not about to let that happen!
Along the way participants enjoy cultural experiences, are taught to 'see' new photo subjects and experiment with less common techniques, plus each is given photography instruction in a very practical and relaxing manner. This includes help in getting the most out of your camera settings, and how they apply to each photographic situation.

What is included?
Personalized photography instruction throughout the trip by John; all accommodations; all breakfasts; lunch on day one of the trip; dinner on the last night of the trip; on-vehicle snacks and bottled water; all ground transportation; airport transfers unless you're arriving early or leaving late; entrance fees for sites and activities listed under ‘Admissions’ on the trip brochure page; then Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Group sizes and customization
Except for our South American, Myanmar [Burma], and Polar Bear photo tours, the group maximum is 7 or 8, and our photo-clients seem to like it that way as per the client reviews link, and below. We customize trips for individuals and Camera Club groups, and can adjust trip dates by a few days to accommodate special requests if asked early enough.

Details, details and the quality of light
To make your trip memorable it's important that we pay attention to detail when planning and running our photo tours. We give practical, personalized photography instruction throughout the trip, and get the group to the right places when the light is at its best, which is early and late of course.

If you'd like to receive photography assistance, and inspiration, while you're out shooting rather than sitting in a 'classroom' while the light outside is great, we hope you'll consider a photography tour with 'photography first' Travel Images Photography Tours. Thank you!

Photo tour calendar
To peruse the scheduled photography tour list, go here.

You've got questions, and we've got answers . . . plenty of them
If you have questions regarding Travel Images you'll find answers either below under the link A Few Pointers, or on the Questions and Answers page.  We have a search option, or you can also use the links at the top and bottom of each page you visit to access the information you're looking for. You can also search the list of photo tours by date.

If you have a photography or photo travel question, you can email us directly. You can also call and leave a message at [+1] 208-559-8248 . . . calls are filtered due to the plethora of scam calls. Texts are blocked for the same reason.

John Baker and Travel Images Photography Tours
Lastly, the 'Who We Are' link will lead you to details regarding myself as I lead all the photo trips, and you'll probably want to know as much as possible about myself before signing up. You'll find my photographic work all over the site, embedded in the graphics, and on the photo gallery pages.

The remainder of this page contains overviews of particular aspects of our photo tours, but for more details please follow any of the links.

If after exploring the Travel Images Photography Tours website some of your questions are still unanswered you can go here, or email us, or call [+1] 208-559-8248. With the latter we may be traveling and might not be able to return your call right away. Email is however is the best way to get in touch for most of the year.

Warmest regards and thanks,

John Baker, Photographer/Guide, Travel Images Photography Tours

 
 
 
A Few Pointers Regarding Travel Images Photography Tours
 

 

 


Small groups

Large groups and photographic opportunities just don’t mix very well, and since Travel Images' establishment in 1988, the group size has never gone beyond 10 participants which is the limit for the Galápagos Islands, Machu Picchu and Patagonia.


However, for all other locations our photography tours are for a maximum of 7 to 8 people, which is ideal for photography of course, as are smaller groups.

 

Small group advantages are many and include more hands-on attention, quick exit from the vehicle, and minimal waiting for the optimum camera angle.

 


Customized photo tours

Can we help your photo travel dreams come to fruition?

 

Would you like a personalized trip with a few friends or with your Camera Club or Photographic Society ?


Let us know where you want to go and we'll customize an itinerary along with a trip fee that won't cost more than a comparable scheduled Travel Images photo tour if there are at least 4 of you.


More details here




Photography tour calendar

Go to photo tour and workshop calendar for up to a two year schedule of photography tours.


Once there, follow the destination links for trip cost and more relevant details.


We also customize photo trips by request.


Client review # 1

“Thanks again John and Laurie for a truly great trip, one of the best I've been on if not the best.

 

I really learned quite a bit on this trip. For example, the use of live view, the importance of turning off auto focus for specific subjects, changing my camera position to get side light . . . along with some useful Photoshop tips to boot!  I believe it shows up in my pictures.

Thanks also to our travel mates, each of you are super and you make a super group. I really enjoyed your company.

Thanks again all and hope to see ya'll in a future trip - I'm sure I'll be trying to sign on another with you John.”


Wayne Love
St. Petersburg, Florida

 

Client feedback page
Detailed client review

 


Need more answers?

. . . go to questions and answers where you’ll find comprehensive Travel Images information. Also take a look at the client reviews, and 'About' links.


Then there is a newspaper article written about one of our Pacific Northwest trips in the Sunday News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware at 'What The Paper Said'.


Also see what Frommers had to say about Travel Images here.


Client review # 2


"Excellent! I was relieved to find a warm and friendly guide!


At the same time, it is necessary for the guide to maintain control and not have 7 people trying to go off in 7 different directions to fulfill different preferences. Having a fairly detailed itinerary was useful in that sense because the guide could point out that people had come along to do that itinerary (within reason) and therefore he couldn't just throw things out if someone wanted to do something different.


He [John] was certainly very accommodating in trying to help people follow their preferences as long as it didn't interfere with the group's [photography] agenda. In evaluating the guide's interaction with group members, I was struck by his recognition [consciously or intuitively]  that people had different psychological or emotional needs and his willingness to try to meet them as well as the more obvious photographic or physical needs."

Judith Ewell
Williamsburg, VA


Client feedback page
Detailed client review

 


Pictures tell the story best!

To see more images from Travel Images photo tours, you'll find them on the photo gallery pages, incorporated into the web-site graphics, and randomly scattered around the pages on this site.


I hope they give you a true insight into the type of  images you’ll capture should you decide to trust your photo travel to Travel Images.

   
 
 

Photography Guidance and more

 

 


I'm always there to assist you, and these are the details

Whenever we make a photo stop I make 'collective suggestions' to the group in regard to composition, lens, shutter speed, aperture and so on, then 'let you loose' to step out and make your own interpretations. I also show examples on my phone and camera, plus I'll always be on hand should you need further inspiration or have a question.
Randomly during the trip I'll open my laptop and give impromptu 'lessons' with images as examples. Typical subjects covered are exposure, perspective, composition, long exposures, deliberate blur, background distractions, plus processing tips combined with answers to specific client questions et cetera.

You’ll learn a lot more on one of our photography tours than in a ‘static’ classroom workshop situation because it is a hands-on experience that is repeated many times each day, and every day.  There is no better, or faster, way to learn, remember, and have specific techniques become second nature to you.
If you don’t return home a better photographer then I will have failed, and is why I pull out all the stops to see to it that you improve . . . and have fun too.
Subjects and techniques discussed and demonstrated are composition strength, shutter speeds, exposure compensation, how aperture choice influences depth of field, lens choice, filter use, long exposure effects, deliberate blur, macro and so on. Better than that, you will be learning in some of the best places to photograph our world has to offer.
During the course of each day my groups naturally enter into conversations in regard to equipment and/or photography techniques at meals or when traveling, and those are good times to ask some additional questions.
Throughout each trip I go one-on-one with each client individually to make sure that all their needs are being met, and offer further help. You can also request assistance at any time, so please don't be shy.
All assistance is given in a casual, friendly, practical, 'non-classroom' manner.
I invite clients to bring along images for review be they one-on-one critiques with myself, or discussions involving other members of the group. A laptop is ideal for this, or I suggest you place your images on a disk or USB drive for review on my own laptop. These initial critiquing sessions should take place early during any given trip so that you can glean the most benefit.
I also encourage you to 'see' an image when the opportunity presents itself, i.e. to be on the lookout for those less obvious shots that are no less stunning.
Lastly, image critiques are conducted where it matters most, i.e. out there in the real world on location, never in a classroom environment. Camera LCD screens are ideal for this, and so is the use of a laptop for critiques and digital photo processing tips during free time or during meals. If you have processing software questions, just ask and we'll create a session.

For the photographically adept
If you just want to be taken to the best spots at the right time to 'do your own thing' without being 'mothered' by myself, that's not a problem either as I will never be far away. Basically though, I'll still offer up suggestions and be available whenever you need me.

If you haven't got it already, this is something I'd like all my clients to acquire
Literally 'seeing' an image in your minds-eye is the first step to a great image. So, when guiding, nurturing, encouraging and hopefully inspiring you, I start by making verbal suggestions which I hope will lead to your own ideas that manifest as great images.
After you've 'seen' the image, I'll guide you with the technical side so that you can accomplish all of your photographic goals. In a nutshell your skill level will improve no matter where it was when you started the trip.

'Try to see it my way' versus 'We can work it out' . . . with thanks to Lennon and McCartney!
You'll find that I photographically guide and teach in a very practical manner and won't ever insist that you do things my way.
For each technique [camera setting] or photography situation, I'll let you know what your options are, but give you the freedom to make a final decision. For instance, the following topics pop up for discussion now and again, i.e. RAW v Jpeg, aperture/shutter control v manual control, spot metering v evaluative metering and so on.  Please know that there is no right or wrong way, as the goal is to find a method that is best suited to your abilities and situation. This is when I willingly share my opinion based upon personal experience, and suggest a solution based upon your own particular situation.
In a nutshell, everyone on our photography tours is considered an equal, be they a beginner, intermediate or 'mature' photographically speaking, and regardless of whatever equipment they use.
Finally, I absolutely love nothing more than passing on what I have learnt over the years and guiding clients to better images throughout each day.

John Baker, Photographer/Guide, Travel Images Photography Tours

 



 
The Quality of Light
 
 


The light

Leading photo tours means striking the right balance in all situations, but one aspect needs no second thoughts, as getting out early and being out late for the best light is most important. Midday needn't be 'dead' photographically as one can concentrate on close-ups or take advantage of the light created by a changing weather pattern and so on.  In summary, we'll get you to the best locations at the right time of day.

 

Early starts
Early starts aren't 'compulsory' but we do encourage our clients to take advantage of some of the best light of the day. For most clients it's a one-time-visit situation, and the effort is invariably worthwhile.

 

Free time
Except on 'travel days' when we're on the move, we'll take an hour or more off at our hotel in an effort to stay fresh. On travel days when a break at the hotel isn't feasible, we sometimes make a stop in a photogenic location for around a half an hour which gives those in need of 'forty winks' a chance to re-charge their energy levels. Those not needing the break can take pictures.

 

 



 

Our Ultimate Objective on each Photo Tour

 

 


Our ultimate objective on each and every photo tour is to provide our clients with an array of 'quality subjects in quality light'. Helping everyone return home as a better photographer with many, many memorable images, is also a priority, as are a variety of enjoyable travel experiences along the way.

But, because not every photo stop is blessed with great light during a trip, we'll be right there and guide you in seeing and creating quality images from ‘average' lighting situations too. 

We stand firmly behind all of this because it really is 'All about you, your photography, the light, and doing all things the way they should be done' The latter means that we believe that the best way to do business is to do it right!

Warmest of regards,

John Baker, Photographer/Guide, Travel Images Photography Tours

 Photo How-To

 

 
 
A to Z of Quick Links
 
 
   

 

 
   Calendar: Search by date: 2024  |  2025
Calendar: Shape a future photo tour calendar: Go here
Cancellation policy: Go here
Client reviews of Travel Images photo tours: Go here
Clients: Our client family during photo tours: Go here
Contact information: Go here
Customized photo tours 'By Request': Go here
Discounts: Client loyalty and much more. Go here
Discounts: Early enrollment: Go here
Email us: Click here
Enrollment form: Go here
Enrollment guidance: Go here
Enrollment: The benefits of early enrollment: Go here
Equipment choices: Go here
Facebook: Go here
Feedback from clients: Go here
Feedback in the media: Go here
Field notes: Go here
Galleries: Images from our photo tours. Go here
Gift certificates: Go here
Guide/s: Go here
How-to articles: Go here
Insurance, visas, passports: Go here
News regarding our photo tours: Go here
Newsletter online: Go here
Newsletter request: Email us
Passports and visas: Go here
Payment online: Go here
Photo galleries: Photo tour images. Go here
Photo tour calendar: Go here
Photo tour calendar inclusion request: Go here
Photo tours customized 'By Request': Go here
Photography How-To: Go here
Presentations: Go here
Privacy Policy: Go here
Questions and answers: Go here
Questions of comparison you should ask: Go here
Questions?: Ask us a question via email: Go here
Resources: Photography and travel: Go here
Search Travel Images' web pages below
Site map: Go here
Terms and conditions: Go here
Tour Operators: Go here
Travel Agents: Go here
Visas and passports: Go here
Who we are: Go here
YouTube: Go here
       
 
 
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Travel Images Photography Tours: Guided Landscape, Natural History, Macro and Wildlife Photography Tours
Email  |  Phone: [+1] 208-559-8248 | Postal: Travel Images, P.O. Box 939, Middleton, Idaho 83644-0939