Photo adventures
“Andy has been a fantastic photo guide for us on four occasions…and even when he couldn’t be there, ensured we had the trip of a lifetime to the Serengeti.”
“We simply book everything through him! His knowledge of the area and the fact you know he’s been there and worked on his own just stands him out”
“I wish he’d do more trips! but the ones I’ve been on have been life-changing”
One of the most exciting parts of nature photography is the necessity to travel to wonderful, natural locations. With that in mind, we organise tours to some fantastic places in search of life-changing photographic possibilities!
My ethos for organising any photographic adventure is simple: it must be a dedicated, completely focused experience, and not one that is simply claiming to be. I want you to get the best possible opportunity for securing that “once in a lifetime” shot, as well as have a great holiday at the same time!
Having spent much of my life photographing overseas, I got very disillusioned with how I saw photographic groups being organised. It seemed to me that many – not all – photographers had little or no experience of the location they were leading in (how therefore can they predict the movements and behaviour of the species in front of you?!); they were staying in non-optimal locations (perhaps an hour from a park gate, for example, as opposed to directly in the heart of the action); and it seemed that for many the only time these photographers were actually travelling overseas was when they were leading trips….not on their own work; as such, guests were simply subsidising holidays and shoots and getting very little in return.
For me, this was not how it is meant to be. I decided therefore to essentially set out a blueprint for how a trip should work, geared around:
- location,
- timing,
- space to work,
- advice/tuition, (either during or before) and
- excellent on-ground guides and trackers who understand what it’s like to work with a pain in the ar$e like me :-).
I hope that many that have already travelled with me in the last few years – either on a group with me or on a trip we’ve organised for you, will agree. I guess that clients from five continents probably attests to that.
For me, personal contact is critical! Anyone can be “big” on the internet…but when it comes to being in front of the customer and building a relationship, then personal contact and trust is key. I’ve never been one to chase a million “followers” in the digital space, but I do ensure that I am there to be seen throughout the year as much as possible through exhibition stands and in the 10 or so talks that I give around the country each year.
Trip types:
CLICK HERE FOR INFO’ ON THE GROUPS AND FOR AVAILABLE SPACES
Guided Groups: On occasion during the year, I am able to lead one or two trips personally and these will always be flagged up. These are always dictated by timings for other projects I am working on. Admittedly space is limited and they are few and far between.
Unguided Groups:For most locations, I am able to offer the same experience for groups of up to 4 or 6 people (perhaps friends? Family?) but without “me” in tow. The guides and trackers we will utilise on the ground are identical to those in the “Guided Groups” and the only difference is I am absent. We are not a major travel company, and we are not going to be offering 100 different destinations and 1,000 departure dates. Instead, you can tap into a few decades of photographic experience and use me to put you in the right place at the right time to those locations where I have worked extensively. There will normally be around 5-6 groups per year. The advantage of group travel is of course that it has set departure times and is generally slightly cheaper than “bespoke” as a result.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO’ ON TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL AND EXTENSIONS
Tailored trips: I have previously referred to these as “ICONS“, but to simplify matters as more and more of you are now using this service, we are simply putting them under the normal “Andy Skillen Photography” banner. This is, probably, the most popular type of trip and can be organised for 1-6 people. There are two main ways of doing this:
- A completely ground-up adventure that I will work with you to put in place after we discuss what it is you’re trying to achieve. This can involve combining a whole bunch of wildlife activities around a country or region. Time and budget are your only constraints.
- I can modify or even duplicate one of the unguided groups for you, but have it to yourselves by organising it on separate dates. I will always advise what I think will work for you to optimise the trip.
On Location: Sometimes when I’m working, conditions will dictate that I can have a few people along for the ride too. This is different to me leading the group, as I will have my own shots to secure, but you will get to go to some special places and of course I will be there to help when I can. These are generally by invitation, so let me know if this type of trip interests and if/when they come up, I’ll let you know.
SOME FAQ…
- How many people on a group? By limiting group sizes you get plenty of space to work, and where appropriate, 1-2-1 guidance.
- Do you know the areas? These locations have been worked by me for many years before taking you. As such, there is no photographer pushing to the front to get their images first!
- Will I get the images I want? You will spend longer in the field, watching, waiting, photographing and observing…and basically revelling in the environment….but I can never guarantee sightings…just chances!
- Where will I stay? You stay in the best location for the experience. At times this might cost a bit more; at others it might be not completely 5 star….but, rather than have you waste time “commuting” to the action, I put you where it happens and maximise your time. Likewise, you don’t go in the cheaper “shoulder” seasons…when the photography is non-optimal. You are in the right place, at the right time.
- I’m not really a major photographer, can I go? You don’t need to be a photographer to have a great trip…but you will benefit from being around people who want to experience nature at an unhurried, expertly guided pace. There’s none of this rattling around 5 venues in 7 days on my trips! Instead we take time to concentrate on areas and do them well. That is how photography works.
