Why I don’t shoot on my Karijini Photo tour
After many years running my Karijini Photo Tour as a private tour I have finally gone ahead and put it out for general release. Just like my private Karijini photo tours previously, I have kept it to just 4 participants, and I don’t do any shooting, just mentoring.
Why don’t I shoot on my Karijini photo tour?
I get asked this often, since I do shoot a bit on most of my tours. Firstly, to make the Karijini trip a bit more special. It’s a pretty special trip already in a uniquely amazing place, but me not shooting at all takes it to another level.
On most of my photo tours I do shoot some images, though far fewer than the tour participants. I take my job and my responsibilities seriously, my focus is firmly on the participants who are there for the best experience and to get the best images. I always keep an eye on everyone, running about offering assistance and showing perspectives, but on other tours I do occasionally shoot a few images.
Not on this tour.
Pre tour scouting & shooting
For my Karijini photo tours I will arrive at least a week early to re-scout all my favourite locations. Things change in the park from year to year, especially after a big wet season. Rocks fall, trees are washed away or fall over, and the light will be working at slightly different times from previous years if the tour dates differ by only a few days.
Revisiting favourite locations
I spend that pre-tour week revisiting locations and checking the time the light works best, updating all my notes from the previous years, getting everything set for the group’s arrival and the upcoming tour. I also do all my own shooting in this week, getting my fix of photography in the Karijini Gorges and surrounds. I will also stay a few days after the tour to photograph any new discoveries and document them for the following years (and just to enjoy myself really).
This way I don’t feel the overwhelming urge to be shooting images myself during the tour. After all, I run photo tours because I love photography, and I run tours to places that I love to photograph. Without that passion I don’t think my photo tours would be much good.
The other reasons
For the other reasons I don’t shoot on my Karijini Photo tour you can check out the next blog post HERE>>
Where are these images taken?
All the images in this post were shot on pre tour scouting trips, to locations we will actually be visiting on tour. They were shot either on the Cambo WRC400 with the Phase One IQ3-100 digital back or the Sony A7r Mk IV with a series of Canon TS lenses. If you would like to read about this Karijini Photo tour click HERE>>