Migrationary birs on Dal lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

1. What makes Nathan Horton Photography tours unique?
Our tours offer a blend of expert photography tuition, carefully-researched itineraries and immersive cultural experiences. Nathan provides hands-on guidance throughout the tours, ensuring you capture stunning images while exploring South and Southeast Asia. We emphasise storytelling through photography, offering authentic interactions with local communities and breathtaking landscapes.

2. Do I need to be an experienced photographer to join?
No! Our tours are designed for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced photographers, and even some professionals. Nathan provides personalised coaching, helping you refine your techniques, composition, and storytelling skills. Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone, we’ll help you to improve and send you home with a portfolio of images to make any photographer proud.

3. What types of photography do your tours focus on?
While each tour differs in terms of its composition, we typically emphasise portrait, cultural, street and landscape photography, offering our guests a well-rounded experience. We focus on capturing authentic moments and stunning scenery while teaching techniques like lighting, framing, and post-processing to elevate your skills in different photographic styles.

4. How long are your photography tours?
Tour lengths vary somewhat depending on the destination, but they typically cover 13 days and 12 nights. Each itinerary is carefully planned to include a mix of structured shoots, travel days, and some downtime to absorb the culture, review photos and refine your techniques.

Booking & Payments

5. How do I book a tour?
Booking is easy! Simply visit our website, select your preferred tour, and send us a tour request form. If you have any questions about a particular tour, just let us know via the form. We’ll try to respond within 24 hours and will guide you through the booking process, ensuring you have all the required information before confirming your spot.

6. What is the payment process?
We generally request a deposit of 25% of the tour fee in order to secure your place, with the balance due 60 days before departure. Payment methods include credit/debit card and bank transfer, usually in USD or your local currency. We’ll provide full details, including deadlines, when you make the initial booking, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.

7. Do you offer refunds or cancellations?
Yes, but refunds depend on the timing of your cancellation. We outline our cancellation and refund policies in our Booking Conditions. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that may affect your ability to join the tour.

Logistics & Accommodation

8. What’s included in the tour fee?
Our fees generally include accommodation, breakfast, local transportation (including internal flights on several tours), entrance fees & permits, and guided tuition from Nathan throughout the tour. International flights, visas, personal expenses and optional activities are not included. You can find more detailed inclusions and exclusions for each tour in the main tour pages on the website.

9. What type of accommodation do you provide?
We stay in comfortable, well-researched hotels or guesthouses (and occasionally desert camps) that have been selected to provide easy access to the best photographic locations. Accommodation is selected for its authenticity and convenience, often reflecting the character of the region. Rooms are for single or double occupancy depending on your requirements.

10. How do we travel during the tour?
Depending on the specific location, we use private vehicles, domestic flights, boats, or trains to ensure smooth travel. Our logistics are carefully planned to maximize photographic opportunities while minimising travel fatigue, allowing you to focus on building a portfolio of stunning images.

11. Will I have free time during the tour?
Yes, while our itinerary is structured to maximise photographic opportunities, we also provide some downtime. This allows you to rest, explore at your own pace, review your images, or perhaps enjoy some additional cultural experiences in the destination of your choice.

Equipment & Preparation

12. What camera gear should I bring?
We recommend a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a variety of lenses, such as a wide-angle, zoom, and prime lens. A tripod, spare batteries, memory cards, and a laptop for editing and post-processing are also useful. We will provide you with a full gear list upon booking, as part of the Essential Information sheet for each individual tour.

13. Can I participate with just a smartphone camera?
Smartphone cameras continue to improve, so the answer is a qualified yes, and we would recommend a dedicated camera for the best learning experience. Many modern smartphones offer excellent quality, and we can teach you how to maximize their potential. However, a traditional camera will give you greater control over settings and image quality.

14. Do you provide photography equipment?
No, you will need to bring your own gear. If you need advice on what to bring, we’re happy to help you choose suitable equipment based on your experience level, budget, and the types of photos you wish to capture during the tour..

Travel & Safety

15. Do I need a visa for the tour?
Visa requirements vary by destination and your nationality. We will provide guidance on visa applications, but it’s the participant’s responsibility to obtain the correct visa before travel. We recommend checking with the relevant embassy or consulate well in advance to avoid any disappointment.

16. Is travel insurance required?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory, and should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and photography equipment. We strongly advise purchasing comprehensive coverage to protect you against unexpected circumstances that could affect your travel plans. If you need help with insurance, please let us know and we may be able to put you in touch with a regional broker who can assist you.

17. Are the tours physically demanding?
Our tours involve moderate physical activity, such as walking through villages, markets, and nature reserves. While most participants manage comfortably, some locations may require early starts, longer walks or high altitudes. Please review the itinerary for your preferred tour and assess your fitness level accordingly, and don’t forget to complete our online health self-assessment form. We also advise you to visit your doctor before the start of the tour, in case you need any medication. You can see a quick summary of each tour’s difficulty grading here.

18. Is it safe to travel in these regions?
We prioritise safety and work closely with trusted local destination management companies in each of the countries where we run tours. While all travel carries some risks, we carefully select safe travel routes, accommodation and activities. We also provide safety guidelines to ensure you have a smooth and secure experience.