Photography Workshop and Tour FAQs
Do you offer private tours/workshops?
Yes - We can create a custom tour to a location of your choice when it is convenient for you. Naturally, a private workshop / tour will be more costly than a group workshop/tour. Send an email to info@samuelscicluna.com for us to discuss your needs/goals.
What does a typical day on a workshop/tour look like?
All Samuel Scicluna Photography workshops and tours are completely focused on photography, this takes priority above everything else, meaning we do not have a fixed meal time. In most cases, because sunset clashes with supper time, we aim to have a proper meal for lunch and then just have a light snack in the evening such as a sandwich / Some fruit). We always aim to be on location well before sunrise and sunset to ensure we can capture the best of the light and also allow us time to look around the area and find a composition. With this being said, a typical day looks like this:
Wake up 60-90 minutes before Sunrise
Head out for Sunrise
Return to accommodation for breakfast
Travel to the next location (Including shooting anything interesting along the way)
Lunch
Free time after lunch to rest or visit a nearby location
Head out for Sunset
Astro Photography / Northern Lights (Weather Permitting)
Get some sleep and repeat the above the following day!
What will the weather be like?
We operate tours and workshops in several different locations, however, for each location we will send you a detailed pack before the workshop advising what to expect in terms of typical weather and average temperatures for each location for that specific time of year.
What do I need to bring with me?
Upon booking each workshop/tour, you will receive a comprehensive packing list which includes the recommended clothing and camera gear. This varies based on time of year and location and is therefore personalised for each workshop/tour. Our general recommendation for clothing is to use the layering system, made up of multiple thin layers, however more about this will be included in the welcome email.
Do I need to be a professional photographer to join one of your tours?
No, we welcome all levels of photographers on our tours and normally our groups are mixed with people of all levels. However, all participants are expected to have a good understanding of the basics of landscape photography and their camera for them to get the most out of the workshop.
Do your tours include flights?
Our guests arrive from all over the world to begin our tours, so it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices as these vary widely.
What luggage should I bring?
The ideal amount of luggage would be a camera bag/backpack used as a carry-on, a single large checked luggage and maybe a small bag or laptop bag (Please check the luggage restrictions of your airline to ensure you comply with these).
What do you suggest to place in my Carry-On luggage?
We advise that you pack the following items in your carry-on luggage: any medications in their original, labelled containers; eyeglasses, contact lenses and contact lens solution; important documents such as your travel insurance, medical records, passport, allergy information and emergency contact information; camera gear, memory cards and batteries; as well as any valuables you may have. (Ensure you check with the Airline what items and amounts you are allowed to take onto the plane).
Do I need to tip my guides?
Tipping is optional, though it is certainly not required.
How far in advance do I need to make my bookings?
The sooner you can make your booking, the better. We have no way of knowing when other people will book, so by the time you decide to confirm your place, it may be that the tour is already filled up! Our advice is to book as soon as you’ve decided to travel – that way, your spot in the workshop will be secured.
How do I make my booking?
Navigate to a desired tour on www.samuelscicluna.com, find a date that suits your schedule and hit "Book".
Do I need to pay a deposit?
To confirm your place on one of our workshops/tours, we will collect a non-refundable deposit of 750 Euros - 1000 Euros depending on which tour you want to join.
How do I pay for the tour?
The tour can be paid through our website using any major Credit Card. (We use Stripe as a payment service) You can also make an electronic bank transfer, if you prefer.
When is the final payment due?
The final payment is due 90 days before the start date of the tour/workshop.
If I am travelling solo, will I need to pay for a single room?
All workshops/tours are automatically booked as twin rooms (Shared). On some workshops/tours, you can pay a ‘Single Supplement’ to have your private room. The fee varies depending on the workshop. We cannot guarantee that our partner hotels will always have single rooms available, if you are interested in this option, please send an email to info@samuelscicluna.com and we will check availability and price. Otherwise, we can pair you with another solo guest of the same gender to share a twin room at no extra cost.
If I am travelling with my partner or a friend, can we stay in the same room?
Yes, please let us know what your requirements are when you make your booking.
Can I bring a Non-Photographer partner or friend with me and is there a discount for Non-Photographers?
We always welcome non-photographers on our tours, however, since these are taking the place of another photographer, we can not offer a discount. Please send an email to info@samuelscicluna.com if you have any questions relating to this.
Can I do just part of the tour/workshop?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to do sections of our tours. If you can’t manage a full workshop/tour, then we can always offer you a private tour for as many days as you wish. Please send an email to info@samuelscicluna.com so that we can discuss your needs.
What language is the tour/workshop conducted in?
All tours/workshops are conducted in English.
If I need to cancel, do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes - Please see our Cancellation Policy here.
What is the maximum number of participants on a tour?
The maximum number of participants varies based on the workshop/tour in question. We prefer to have smaller groups so that each person can get the necessary support they require and avoid having too many participants at a single location. Most of our workshops aim to have a maximum of 5 participants per guide.
Is airport transfer included?
All our tours have a fixed meeting time and location, if you plan to arrive a day earlier, you will need to sort out your own transport to be at the meeting place for the start of the tour.
How do I get to the start of the tour?
Tours always start in a specified Airport arrivals lounge and we will let you know exactly when you need to be at that location.
How much free time is there on a tour?
We pack a lot into each day, to make sure that our participants will have the most memorable trip possible. We do generally allow some free time after lunch for participants to rest, however, this is dependent on the itinerary and any transit requirements. That being said, if you want to skip a sunrise shoot or stay up in the night to shoot the aurora, then that’s your choice. Just make sure that you will be up and ready to meet us at times that we will be in transit. Please note that if you choose to opt out of any included activities, no reimbursement can be made.
Does the tour/workshop require a lot of hiking?
This varies depending on the workshop/tour which you chose. In Tuscany and Iceland for example, there is minimal walking/hiking required as we can park pretty close to all of our shooting destinations, therefore you won’t need to do any extreme hikes. However, you will still need to be able to walk on uneven ground and maybe walk up and down some small hills to reach the best shooting spots. In the Dolomites, we need to hike from one mountain hut (Rifugio) to the next, this is generally never more than an hour’s hike, each workshop/tour states the recommended fitness level on the booking page.
Will the guide help us with our photography during the tour?
Yes, your guides are there to assist you with learning as much as you can about your camera gear and equipment, as well as how to take home some of the most amazing shots of your life. In-field and out, they will be providing you with as much education as you can handle!
Are post-processing lessons included?
Yes, post-processing lessons are included in all of our tours, for some tours, these will be done via post-processing videos after the tour, for others live demonstrations are done during the tour. If you want some additional support for Post Processing, this can be booked separately and done virtually. Send an email to info@samuelscicluna.com so that we can discuss your needs.
What type of ground transportation is used?
We rent spacious, modern and comfortable vans to get us around. Depending on the location, these might also be 4WD.
Are meals included?
We recommend checking the tour description, as meals vary between tours. In most cases, we have a proper meal for lunch, and just a light snack in the evening before or after shooting sunset.
I'm a vegetarian/vegan, is that a problem?
This is not a problem at all. Just let us know in advance so we can inform our partners. That way, they can make sure that you are looked after in all of the local restaurants and hotels.
How can I charge my electronic devices?
In most places, you’ll be able to recharge your electronic devices at the hotel. We recommend that you bring a travel adapter with you and if you have lots of batteries to charge, a high-capacity power bank so that you can charge your devices in the field.
Do I need to get travel and medical insurance?
We highly recommend that you take out comprehensive Travel and Medical insurance for all Samuel Scicluna Photography trips. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas. When purchasing insurance, make sure that you check the terms of the policy carefully, particularly the limits of your cover, such as for replacement of photographic equipment in case of damage or loss. Please also familiarise yourself with the procedure for making claims, as most policies stipulate that claims must be made within a certain time after completion of your journey.
What should I look for in my travel and medical insurance?
Look for a policy that covers medical costs in case of hospitalisation, emergency travel and repatriation. If you are going on an adventure activity, such as a mountain hike or an ice cave tour, then make sure that your insurance covers you for this activity. We encourage you to take out travel insurance that covers the full value of your trip and personal effects in the case of trip cancellation, loss or theft of baggage, and emergency evacuation. Travel insurance helps to minimise the risk of monetary losses that you would incur in the event of certain circumstances, such as a delayed departure due to weather, airline strike or missed connections, or inability to travel for reasons such as illness, injury or unforeseen financial complications, or if you are required to cut your trip short for medical or any other reasons.
How fit do I need to be to join a tour?
Our trips are designed to be enjoyed by anyone reasonably fit. However, some trips, like our Dolomites trips, visit remote areas with limited medical facilities and require a moderate amount of hiking, so you must be in good health and have good mobility. Factors such as long walks, icy roads, windchill and cold weather also add to the physical toll. Keep in mind that you will need to carry your bags during the tour.
Do I need to take any medical supplies?
The pre-departure information kit that we will send you after you book a trip contains a suggested list of items to bring but it doesn’t cover medications. We recommend that you carry personal medical items for managing common minor ailments, such as colds, diarrhoea, blisters, headaches, heartburn, sore throats and so on. Travellers who take regular medication should bring an appropriate supply within their carry-on luggage on the plane. Allergy and asthma sufferers should ensure that they have an adequate supply of their routine medicine as some areas during spring and summer have high levels of pollen.
How safe are my belongings during the trip?
The locations we travel to are all considered to be very safe. However, it is still necessary to take precautions while travelling. While we do everything we can to make sure your belongings are safe, theft can occur anywhere. This is why travel insurance is handy and a lockable bag or money belt will be useful too. Please do not bring fancy jewellery, watches, designer clothes and bags on our trips. Never leave your camera gear unattended and don’t flash large amounts of cash when making purchases.
Will there be network coverage on the trip?
Yes, there is good network coverage in most of the locations we visit. Naturally, when we are in more remote places, the connection can be spotty and sometimes there is no network coverage at all, however, this is very rare. Most hotels / Mountain Huts have internet access (Wifi). If you stumble into the latter, take the rare chance to just sit back and get to know your fellow photographers. In remote places, such as the Westfjords or the Highlands, you will not be able to communicate as readily. We will usually let you know when you’ll be leaving connection with the rest of the world for a while, so you can send a quick message or email to loved ones.
If you have any questions or queries not covered above, drop me an email on info@samuelscicluna.com