Photography Holidays, your experiences, insights and recommendations

Brilliant. Looking forward to Chamonix and to meet more photographers and models. I am sure that we are going to have a great time and definitely the mountains and the snow are going to be a great addition to my portofolio. 

See you there !!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this so far, all the advice has been fantastic.  I really appreciate the detail everyone has gone into.

FabioRoso said

The short answer is "Yes" I would recommend it.

But reading your profile, they are few important points. Deposits need to be paid in advance and these could vary from £500 to £800. So it is important that you look at trustworthy people with experience and lots of positive references. You also said that you are not usually able to plan too far ahead and some photographic holidays are already almost "Sold Out" for November 2025

Thanks v much for the detailed response Fabio, really helpful. Those are just my day to day shooting conditions Fabio, my work schedule can be varied making it difficult to plan too far ahead.  I am able to plan ahead for holidays fortunately.  As you say as far as deposits are concerned it's a case of to look at who you are dealing with.

JPea said

A lot of people have great problems with the food they are willing and able to eat and I have always been surprised how well organisers have catered for what seem to me to be strange fads.

It's not always strange fads, As we get older things change our bodies, some foods you eat when younger were never a problem and as we get older  the same foods start giving some people problems.

And some times it could be a medical problem like stomach ulcers.

You must be one of the lucky ones that can eat anything and not get any problems.

For me I just have to be aware of hot spicy food.

I don't eat snails, frogs legs, bats, animal eyeballs, penises, testicals.( ok it's spelt wrong who gives a shit)

 For me, I would love too....but there's the cost factor and more importantly for me (like Carlos mentioned) you could be stuck with people you just do not get along with and would never socialise with, which could be detrimental to the whole experience.

Hat's off to those that organise them, a lot of thought, time and effort is put into these.

Unfocussed Mike said

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. STUDIO said

What a great thread! Artemis, your insights are truly inspiring—this is what open, transparent advice looks like. Thank you!

I’m hoping soon to be offering personalised, one-on-one or two-on-one workshops in the picturesque Dordogne region of South West France. My barn conversion / Gite will be ready next year, the darkroom and studio are already fully operational and fully equipped.

I’m diving deep into analog photography, focusing on historic and alternative processes. We'll explore the beauty of wet plate collodion, Film photography will also be a key part, giving photographers the tactile joy of working with different film sizes and types and developing in the darkroom. Additionally, we’ll experiment with alternative printing techniques like platinum and albumen printing, both known for their exquisite tonal range and archival qualities. The aim is each participant will leave with a set of their own handcrafted prints.

I’ll be blending this analog approach with both model and landscape photography, but every workshop will be custom-tailored to individual interests and goals. 

I understand this is a niche market—these traditional techniques aren’t for everyone—but that’s exactly the point. The goal isn’t to get rich, but to share my passion for analog photography with others who appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship. 

I’ve been wondering, though: Should I market the experience, with every evening featuring fine dining, there are plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants around here or as a more affordable, home cooking retreat? What do you think?

This sounds interesting to me! Have you considered looking at modern alternative processes too (photosensitive etching, Rockaloid etc.)?

Re: food, if I may offer one thought based on my own life experience: don't make too much of the food situation.

Loads of us photographers are at least a bit neurodiverse, and the overlap with ARFID (sensory issues/restrictive diets/food fears) can be noticeable. I am at this point in my life very much in control of the sensory/texture issues that truly blighted my life until my late teens, but I know lots of geeky/artistic people who have not been so lucky.

I don't mean to say "avoid exotic food" because that's not it -- it was very different food that helped me most, actually! But fear about not liking someone's food choices is something that has never quite left me. I know creative people who will cancel a meal if they are afraid they won't find something they can eat without anxiety.

Make it clear that there are choices around food and I think you're going to be onto something.

(It's perhaps a particularly British thing to be unreasonably nervous about French food, as it goes, so you cover both bases ;-)

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

Thanks, Mike!

Great advice there—I'll be mostly sticking to the classics like collodion and silver processes so far. I do, however, have processors for 8x10 Polaroid, which is always a fun (albeit expensive!) thing to shoot. Nothing quite like peeling apart a giant instant photo, right?

As you mentioned, it seems like offering a bit of choice is the way forward, which works perfectly with what I have in mind. I’m planning on keeping things small and personal—1 to 1, or at most 2 to 1. Definitely not looking for the group-tour vibe; I want to create more of an intimate, hands-on experience.

And yes, I completely understand the love (and quirks) of French food! So far, it’s been good, nothing too adventurous. That said, I’m leaning towards the home-cooked route—my wife is Italian, so I’m pretty sure we’ll be eating well!

Looking forward to making it all come together. Appreciate your thoughts!

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. STUDIO

I'll most certainly be interested in your workshops when they are available.

I've done 3 trips with Artemis Fauna   each one obviously good enough to book another, and as recommendations go that's what counts, I think. 

And the first thing to be really clear about is it is holiday, on which you do photography. You're seeing some nice countryside, spending time with (mostly)  agreeable people, and taking photos. You are not working from crack of dawn until dark and then pulling lights out to shoot more. Relax a bit. I've done trips with 4 photographers and 2 models (where you're shooting one model half the time or both models for 1/4 of the time), and 4 to 4 (where you shoot round robin with 1 and everyone shoots, then 1/2 time with 2, and 1/4 time with all four). Again if you want to maximize shooting time book a model and stay at home. 

You're shooting with the same model roster for multiple days, so it had better be models you rate and [think you can] get on with. Fellow photographers can be great or horrible and all points in between. No-one on any of Artemis' trips was bad enough to spoil the holiday, but there were certainly some whose company I didn't enjoy (and I guess an equal number who didn't enjoy mine). 

If it's well organized (nod to Artemis again) there will good food and drink, good location scouted and when weather or something unexpected threatens to derail things there's sufficient knowledge of what else is available locally not to ruin everything. I've heard of (but not experienced) badly organized trips, and I wouldn't pay the 50% well in advance / 50% a little before that someone operating a trip needs unless I had pretty solid trust in them. Someone on the last trip had a story of another well known operator cancelling and not only being very sticky about returning deposits, actually trying to get the second half of the payment from customers they'd cancelled on. I've heard a story from a model of a trip so bad (organised by a model I'd make a point of staying away from) she nearly quit modelling there and then.  

With good models and a good organizer (and good models aren't necessarily good tour operators) it's time and money well spent: there's a reasonable chunk of both at stake so checking before you commit is paramount (Doh! Really?) 

StormBringer said

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. STUDIO

I'll most certainly be interested in your workshops when they are available.

Thank you so much for your interest! 

I’ll definitely make sure to keep you in the loop and let you know as soon as everything is up and running. It would be a real pleasure to have you join us, and I think you'll enjoy what we have planned.

I'll keep you posted.

I've just got back from Lanzarote from a  very well organised photo trip run by Bella Grace and Elle Baldwinson  

I really liked the small groups and that locations that were well scouted.  Georgia had also thought carefully about shoot time versus down time, so there was a perfect balance of shooting and enjoying time in the sunshine.  Catering was great and she'd arranged transportation around the island and the airport runs for everyone.  She also made sure everyone had their own bedroom - personally I wouldn't want to share a room.  

To me, Georgia had spent a lot of time working out all the details, from the styling, timings and groups and it worked perfectly IMO.

Gothic Image Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing you again soon! 😊

I can't judge other trips as I don't have personal experience of them but Artemisian Luxury Photography Holidays, as the saying goes "does what it says on the tin, and more"

100% recommended

I’d love to do this as it would mean shooting at some epic locations but so far I can only think of two models I’d trust to do this with, next year I might go for it though :-)

I have now been fortunate enough to go on 3 Photography trips abroad. All with Photography Holidays . In 2023 I travelled to The Algarve Portugal, my first trip of this kind. It was a week long trip comprising of 5 days of shooting and taking of around 2500 photos. Each day is different, using different locations and covering fashion, Lingerie and some Art Nude. Working alongside fellow Photographers and experienced Models, the whole week is a great social experience. Gaining knowledge and understanding from both Models and Photographers, this is a great time to share ideas and create great work. The days are structured and easy to follow. After the day is over, you have the opportunity to socialise both at the amazingly large villa and also on the evenings out to dinner.

I followed up this trip with another in Budapest, Hungary. A very different experience within such a cultural city. With amazing locations around an incredible city.

This September saw me return again to The Algarve. Another amazing trip, an opportunity to meet again with old friends and meet new ones.

I would thoroughly recommend anyone to go on one of Photography Holidays trips. I will be definitely be going again. Just a great experience to practice your photography with the company of talented individuals on both sides of the camera.

A great time away collaborating with great people.

Hey :)

So obviously as previous commenters have discussed, there are many holidays out there you can join onto, so it all depends on what you want exactly from the trip itself, from an all inclusive to a more flexible type trip. And all trips from what I’ve seen and heard look great in their own ways.

I myself have been a house model for Photography Holidays for numerous years now and I can honestly say I love these trips, and photographers I’m sure also do, with many returning years on. So I can comment on this for you :)

Photography Holidays visits The Algarve every year for their sunshine beach trip, along with their shorter city breaks to Budapest, Amsterdam etc.

Photography Holidays isn’t an all inclusive trip but it still offers a great experience. They are kept budget friendly as Martin the organiser wants photographers to come and enjoy themselves without having to break the bank.

They are well thought out, the days are organised and locations scouted for enjoyable days of shooting, varying from beach, street fashion, derelict. You’ll be sure to come away with a huge gallery of images with a variety of models. the trip also focuses on the social element too as Martin does feel this plays a huge part in the enjoyment of week, we all get downtime and you can do as you wish with that time, most however do like to go out together and enjoy the local food and drink the Algarve has to offer, I like to call it my Photography Holidays family :)

I’m sure Martin would be more than happy to talk to you as I’m sure he’ll tell you exactly what it’s like and all about, if you’re also attending the photography show in London he’s exhibiting on stand F80 so you could meet him too.

My Experiences have All, to date, been positive.

Since restarting my Photographic journey about 3yrs yrs ago. I ventured out early on to attend a few Photographic Holidays / Trips. Thinking they would be a great place to gain more knowledge and experience, from like minded folks and learn a lot. With help available from professional photographers etc.

I of course Searched and Researched as you do, read the feedback, before booking. Not knowing what to expect it was difficult to gauge what is the 'value for money' answer, how secure, genuine they are etc. So I simply contacted and spoke to the organisers (the best way) checked out references etc. Nothing out of the ordinary as you would book any trip.

I have in this time, been, on 3 trips with Martin Newtons - 'Photography Holidays Abroad', plus 'Model Photography Holidays' with Gavin, plus a super event in Sicily. 

I have enjoyed them all. Everyone on the events gelled together, behaved, we all had a common collective 'creative' aim. Any problems got sorted. Even some major ones everyone involved, we all worked around the difficulties like adults. There were rules to follow, nothing onerous, just common sense stuff really. 

It is clear to me that at least the ones I've been on. The organisers do care, a great deal, about their Product living up to expectations. Focused on ensuring you are having a good and enjoyable productive time, They want you to come away having had a positive experience. After all they want you to come back on their next trip.

I also think there is a lot of work that goes into setting these events up, from research, to securing the accommodation, travel and food logistics, overall management and of course execution. So the comments from the Organisers here (which I have read) are not a surprise to me. 

Yes they can cost and their is a lot of variability in these photographic events. Some to far flung exotic locations or not, with sharing a room to your own room in a superb mansion or a large to small Villa. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. We are all looking for a bargain or something that of course fits our wallets. So with rising costs maybe these events will go through some evolutionary changes, while trying to remain competitive and affordable to their clients.

All the ones I have been on to date are Model orientated, in the Sun, Villa, plus venturing out into the local areas. Either eating together in Villa or going out, particularly in the evenings. When eating out in local restaurants (one included our own chef) we paid for our own meals. Some I've paid for models drinks, or a lunch, coffees etc. As you would with any friend for example.

All involved various shooting locations, Villa, towns, beach, particular focal points; gorges, derelict sites etc. Some others (which I have not been on) also add in a special focal event, special theme, where the models dress up in provided costumes.

Yes I suppose this holiday/event space could get a bit over crowded with more competition, which in some ways can be a good thing. But not in others. So those events Organisers that have been around for a while with a good track record do well. Plus could suffer from any bad apples that put people off.....  

Payments I have found fine to date. Obviously discussing this with the organisers when booking the event. So far has all been dealt with sensibly, in a helpful way. I put a deposit down, generally the case. I would be a little wary to Pay it all, up front, in one go, for a trip 9-12 mths in advance. They all, of course, had a final payment date. So I have paid the deposit, some paid a further lump sum mid-way, and then paid the full amount off. Always met any agreed final date payments,

So like booking a holiday (as I see these events) simply do your research, check the feedback, know what you want/can afford. Plus contact and speak to the organisers.  

Next; soon a trip to the Caribbean with 22 Models and 20 Photographers, own room, fully inclusive and a 'Dolphin Park' trip thrown! Not a UK based event, but US, now that took time to get my head around !