Photography Expedition

[Carebear73usa]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience in putting together photography expeditions. I have wanted to do this for some time now. I have contacted a few places but still need to put together information and such. I want to make sure I do everything the right way so I am not disorganized.

[BEphoto]

are you talking about putting something together where you would be a workshop leader to a certain location? I'm guessing insurance would be the biggest thing to look into, and probably the biggest hurdle.

Good luck though. I would love to put something like that together!

[PIC]

You can make a ton of money doing that and many in this depressed economy now do.
Peguins, African Animals, and Naked Girls are big things these days.
But ... there are many issues other than just insurance.
It is wise to hire or consult an experienced travel event planner if you are serious.

African Safaris can be 10 K ++ per person or more.
http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/index.html
I want to go on one ...

[Carebear73usa]

I definitely want to put one together for shooting nature and wildlife. I have talked to several people who are already interested in going. I just need to get the details together. I will, of course, have waivers and etc.

[Carebear73usa]

I would love to go on an African Safari as well.....

[Howard Barlow]

We take teams on missions to Russia. Not photo related, but moving people around the world stuff. The logistics are unbelieveable, even when things are going well. It's not a matter of getting everyone a ticket for the plane.

Depending on where you are going, you have to consider passports, visas, hotels/accommodations, bottled drinking water everyday, translators, transportation, currency exchange rates, yada, yada, yada, plus a lot more $$ for things you didn't think of/price increases from when you made international arrangements.

You not only need liability insurance for yourself, as the organizer, you need to factor in trip insurance for the participants. What happens when John has to cancel 2 weeks before the trip. "Can I get a refund?" What happens when Bill gets sick in Wakka Wakka, and you need to fly him out of the country? Got any idea how much international air ambulance travel is?

Confirmed reservations, agreed prices, etc., are all moving targets in many countries.

It can be done, but if you aren't a seasoned traveler, get a professional service to do your legwork. Organizing a big trip for a lot of people is NOT for the uninitiated.

But, I realize you may be well versed in all this.

[Carebear73usa]

this will be my first so I am not doing anything huge. we will not be traveling out of the country or anything like that. i just want to set one up and see how it goes before I try to do something bigger.

[Howard Barlow]

Excellent way to get your feet wet and see what's ahead. Good luck. Send pictures.

[Cajungaltx]

Cary - Andrew Abrams at truecolorstudios.com - Home - does these. He's a really awesome guy - he's one of my NILMDTS volunteers (google it) -and was just telling me about one of these trips. He could probably give you some great advice/experience.

[ronocnikral]

yeah...the safari is $10,000 sans airfare. just a guess, i didn't want to look.

it's a huge issue. i've been looking at doing a mountaineering expedition...these things are pricey just to walk to the top of a mt without a guide. many probably don't know this, but getting a permit for mt everest is like $10,000/person, and that's just giving the gvt their piece of the pie.

even in the states would be a huge issue. consider the issues already pointed out plus paying for your time and at least a dozen things you can't conceptualize right now....

you'll need more than waivers, you'll need a corporation. why risk all your personal assets for this? someone could catch a cold on your trip and you can get sued. win or loose, getting sued is loosing already.

[Angelo]

Carey, here's someone who puts trips together. I've been on one of his trips and planning to go on another in June. Read his terms and conditions:

Travel Images Photo workshop, tour, registration

My suggestion is to take a trip that's already been organized and see for yourself what it takes to put something together.
My experience has been that everyone is advised to have "trip cancellation Insurance" and "trip medical insurance" in the event something happens.

It's a lot of work...

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by Angelo

My suggestion is to take a trip that's already been organized and see for yourself what it takes to put something together.

Not really. In that situation, you are 'seeing the movie', not what it took to produce it. There are untold issues to deal with team members will never know about. Kinda like someone having their portrait made, so they will know how to be a professional photographer.

[Angelo]

Howard, I see your point, but it's better to have an idea of what's involved and not just roll into it blind. That's why being observant while on an organized trip can help.

[Carebear73usa]

I know most of what I need to do. I was just hoping to find a bit of information on this kind of thing on the net. I can not find anything which is strange to me.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Howard, I see your point, but it's better to have an idea of what's involved and not just roll into it blind. That's why being observant while on an organized trip can help.

Yes, indeed. There are some ideas to be observed, to be sure. But, like I said, until you get behind the scenes, there is a lot of stuff that won't be obvious. But, ya gotta start somewhere. And, ask the organizer, as you go. They may be willing to offer help.