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 a tour?
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.

5. How many people are in each group?
We keep our tours small and personal, with a maximum of eight photographers on any tour, although we do allow the occasional non-photographer to join as a companion. This ensures that  everyone has plenty of space as well as tailored advice and guidance from Nathan, as well as allowing for an immersive and flexible travel experience.

6. Will Nathan lead the tour personally?
Generally yes. Unless stated otherwise, our tours are personally led by Nathan, who will provide hands-on tuition throughout the trip and is always available to help you get the best possible shots. On some tours (typically in India and Africa) we use a guest photographer who will have been selected specifically according to their suitability for the tour.

7. What’s the typical age range of participants on the tours?
Most of our guests are aged between 60 and 75, though we welcome adult participants of all ages. If you’re reasonably fit and have a passion for photography and culture, then please rest assured that you’ll fit right in.

Booking & Payments

8. 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.

9. How do I pay for the tour?
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.

10. Do you offer discounts for repeat guests?
Yes, returning guests qualify for loyalty discounts generally starting at 30% on the second tour and rising to 50% for the fourth tour and beyond. If you've travelled with us before, please just let us know and we'll confirm what discount is available for your next booking.

11. 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.

12. What happens if the tour doesn’t fill up?
We usually require a minimum of four photographers guests for a tour in order to guarantee that it will go ahead, though we’ll sometimes run a tour with just three participants. In those rare cases where the minimum number isn’t reached and we decide to cancel a tour, we’ll give you as much notice as possible and offer either a refund or a chance to join a different tour.

Logistics & Accommodation

13. 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 (or in some cases another trusted tour leader) 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.

14. 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.

15. Will there be electricity for charging batteries?
Yes, all of the hotels on each tour provide access to electricity. We advise that you bring a multi-socket extension lead with the appropriate adaptor for the country that you’re visiting. In some remote areas, power may be intermittent, so we recommend bringing extra batteries and a portable power bank.

16. 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 maximise photographic opportunities throughout the tour while minimising travel fatigue, allowing you to focus on building a portfolio of stunning images.

17. Will I have free time during the tour?
Yes, while our itineraries are structured to maximise photographic opportunities, we also try to 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.

18. Can I arrive early or stay after the tour?
Yes, many of our guests choose to arrive early or stay on after the tour, often to acclimatise or just have a day or so to rest after a long series of flights. We would be happy to help arrange additional accommodation for you at one of our chosen hotels, as long as you give us sufficient notice to make the necessary arrangements. Please note we work based on the annual “contract rates” that we get via our local tour operators, so you might be able to find better deals (and certainly a wider selection) online.

19. Will I have internet or phone access during the tour?
Most of the hotels where we stay offer Wi-Fi, and mobile internet access is usually available in towns and cities, so we generally advise our photographers to bring a mobile phone and get an eSIM or physical SIM card on arrival at the international airport. Some remote areas have limited connectivity or limitations on use by tourists (Ladakh, for example) but we’ll let you know what to expect in each location.

Equipment & Preparation

20. What camera gear should I bring on the tour?
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.

21. Can I join a tour 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 the overall image quality.

22. 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

23. 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 would be your responsibility to obtain the correct visa before travel. We recommend checking with the relevant embassy or consulate well in advance to avoid any disappointment.

24. Is travel insurance required on the tour?
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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

Other Questions

27. How much spending money should I bring?
Our fees include breakfasts and bottled water throughout the tour, but you’ll want some cash for personal expenses, lunch, dinner, drinks, souvenirs, and optional tips. We’ll provide an estimate of local costs before the tour but as a general rule we advise that you allow an extra US$20-40 per day.

28. Can non-photographers join the tour?
Yes! While our tours focus on photography, non-photographer companions are welcome and we offer discounts between 30 and 50% of the tour fee. They can enjoy the cultural experiences, explore the destinations, and take part in non-photographic activities, even if they’re not capturing images. Many partners and friends join to share the journey.

29. What happens if the weather is bad?
The weather in south and southeast Asia (and Africa to some extent) is increasingly unpredictable, but we have refined our tour schedule over the past several years to take advantage of the optimum dates for each tour. We adapt accordingly so, if conditions on a particular day prevent us from shooting outdoors, we’ll adjust our itinerary, find alternative locations, or conduct indoor photography sessions. We also provide tips for shooting in different weather and lighting conditions to help you make the most of your experience on your chosen tour.

30. Can you accommodate different dietary requirements?
Yes, within reason, we do our best to cater for all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Please let us know your preferences, or details of any allergies, when you make your booking and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.