The world’s most amazing photography holidays
Everyone thinks they’re a photographer these days. If it’s not arty shots of coffee cups on Instagram it’s endless holiday snaps on Facebook. However, it takes real skill and dedication to take your amateur hobby to the next level, not to mention a little tuition. Thankfully, you can combine your photographic education with an awesome vacation with a host of special courses. Experts from around the world are on-hand to guide you through all manner of specialist photography to suit every interest.
1. Siem Reap, Cambodia Belmond, La Résidence d'Angkor
This intimate Khmer-style hotel in the heart of Siem Reap offers a range of tailored photography itineraries designed to help guests capture the region’s diverse landscapes and natural beauty. The trip includes a full-day excursion with a professional photographer and a three-day pass to the nearby Angkor Wat temple complex. Back at the hotel, budding snappers are shown how to edit their images as well as given expert advice on how to improve their pictures for the following days’ excursions. For an additional fee guests can embark upon an elephant ride along the Siem Reap River or a helicopter flight over Angkor Wat, offering the chance to capture some unbeatable images of an icon of the ancient world. From £843 for two nights b&b; 0845 077 2222; belmond.com
2. MaAsai Mara, Kenya, Exodus trip at Kicheche tented camp
If you’re visiting the Maasai Mara, you’ll want to take home lots of pictures. This nine-day photo safari with renowned snapper Paul Goldstein will ensure you do just that. The trip is tailored to achieving the very best pictures, and that means early starts and long days – you never know when that cheetah is going to finally sprint after an antelope – so be prepared for some hard work. Goldstein will always be on-hand to offer advice on how to frame shots and get the best out of the African sunlight. A nine day trip costs £3,699 per person, including flights; exodus.co.uk; 0845 287 3627
3. Riviera Maya, Mexico, Banyan Tree Mayakoba
This luxury resort is hosting a series of three-day wildlife photography masterclasses with world-renowned National Geographic photographers Steve Winter and Tim Laman. Guests will glide down river tributaries surrounded by mangroves and the stunning bird-life that lives around them. One of the photographers will be on hand to offer advice for any level of photographer on how to get the best out of their equipment to take home that killer shot. And when you’re not snapping away, you can enjoy the surrounds of the resort, which features a private pool and a great restaurant. A three night stay starts from £1,550; 30 October – 2 November with Steve Winter; December 11 – 14 with Tim Laman; banyantree.com
4. Queensland, Australia, Great Barrier Reef with Mike Ball
For an underwater adventure you won’t forget in a hurry, enrol in this underwater photography expedition with award winning photographer Damien Siviero. The trip includes a drift dive with reef sharks at North Horn, diving in the coral gardens with sea snakes at the Snake Pit, the chance to snap schooling barracuda in the Coral Sea and, of course, underwater photography coaching by the on-hand expert. The highlight of the trip will be capturing that extra-special shot of a reef shark, photographed from below, silhouetted against the blazing Australian sun. You’ll have that one as your Facebook cover profile for a good few months after. Mike Ball’s Shark Shooter Expedition departs on 9 April 2015 and can be booked as a 4 (from £1,070pp) or 7 (from £1,874pp) night trip; mikeball.com
5. Finnish Lapland, The Aurora Zone Northern Lights trip
Learn to capture the Northern Lights on camera under the watchful eye of a local expert. Gareth Hutton uses expert knowledge, aurora forecasts and weather information to determine the best destination to see the Northern Lights, giving you the best chance of capturing them. A range of trips are available depending on the time of year and the activities you want to experience. Activities can include photography workshops, aurora picnics, Arctic sled dog rides, snowmobile safaris, a visit to a reindeer farm, hikes and aurora hunts. The next trip departs on 4 November; a four-night Jeris autumn aurora photography expedition costing from £1,253 pp (based on two sharing), including flights (London), transfers, full board, photography tuition and all activities. Four-night trips departing 17 January, 7 February or 7 March cost from £2,175 pp (based on two sharing); 01670 785 012; theaurorazone.com