Travel Advice

We want you to enjoy your trip, below are some of your most frequently asked questions. If you are unable to find the answer to a specific question, please do not hesitate to contact us 

Do I need a Passport?
Inevitably if the tour takes place outside the UK or EU then a passport will be necessary. You will need to make your own arrangements in advance of the trip to ensure the relevant documentation is in place.

Will I need a visa and/or vaccinations for my trip?
We will inform you of any visa requirements, and will offer advice on vaccinations required. We do however recommend that you seek a qualified opinion from your GP for further inoculation advice.

Why should I book through Colin Prior Limited
There are four main reasons to book through us; (i) our first hand knowledge of the destination in question, (ii) having one point of contact for all arrangements, (iii) value for money and (iv) financial protection. The Colin Prior Photography School team has spent several years sourcing and selecting the best hotels, airlines and experiences from around the world and has first hand experience of every trip we offer. We are a 'one stop shop' to arrange everything, and one point of contact to make bookings or changes means you can have peace of mind. We have negotiated agreements with our suppliers (airlines, hotels, ground handlers, activity providers etc) where we make our margin 'below the line'. As a result we are confident you should never pay more to go on one of our trips than you would by arranging the trip independently (that's of course assuming you had the time to research, plan and book the trip in the first place).

What level of photographic experience do photographers require to join a trip?
Our trips are designed to accommodate photographers with wide a range of photographic experience and skills. Our aim is to let photographers develop at their own level and to assist them both technically and to introduce new way of looking at their subjects.

Do I have to be extremely fit to participate?
Most of the trips require a modest amount of walking – those that are more strenuous are clearly indicated. Participants must be able to carry their own camera bags and be comfortable working in remote locations.
 
Do I need a digital camera?
No, our trips accommodate photographers working with any camera or format, however those working with digital cameras are likely to benefit from the ability to download images for critique.
 
What equipment should I bring?
Again, this is a personal choice - remember if your camera bag contains lenses and accessories, which are seldom used, you will be carrying excessive weight in the field. On most trips there will be the opportunity to leave surplus equipment behind at our accommodation. 
 
Should I bring a laptop?
Ultimately, this is a personal decision – a laptop will give the best opportunity for the critique sessions, however a storage viewer device is a more compact and lightweight alternative when working on location, particularly if air travel is involved. 

Why do I need to pack a tripod?
A tripod is as important as your camera and opens up a wide range of creative opportunities not otherwise possible. The model is a personal choice, but should be robust enough to support your camera and lens combinations, whilst being light enough to carry. Carbon fibre tripods by Gitzo and Manfrotto offer lightweight models but are expensive. Equally important is the tripod head, which needs to be fit for purpose.
 
How much film should I bring?
The short answer is more than enough – there will be no opportunities to buy film once you are on location. Estimate how many rolls you are likely to shoot each day and multiply this by the number of days in the tour.
 
How should I carry film on an aircraft?
It is essential that film is transported as hand baggage as it will be subject to high dosage X-Rays if it is checked into the hold. Due to the size and weight restrictions currently in place at all UK airports, passengers are restricted to one item of hand baggage which must be no bigger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (approximately 22 inches x 17.5 inches x 9.85 inches).
 
Should I carry my camera equipment as hand baggage? 
At Heathrow Airport passengers may now carry more than one item of hand baggage through security. But you should check hand baggage allowances with your airline before arriving at the airport, as the weight and size of hand baggage allowances differ between airlines. Some airlines may allow you to carry one item only. Whatever the number of items, each must be no larger than 56cm tall, 45cm wide and 25cm deep (22 x 17.5 x 9.5 inches). If your camera bag meets the size restrictions, you should be able to carry it along with another bag such as a laptop as cabin baggage. Remember that all checked baggage is subject to high dosage x-rays, which will fog any film place in the hold. Peli-Cases offer total protection to cameras checked as hold baggage. Visit www.peliproducts.co.uk for more information.

Will I be able to charge re-batteries and laptops?
Yes all our accommodation providers have the facilities to recharge batteries
 
Are partners welcome?
Absolutely, but remember the daily activities are orgainsied to maximise photographic potential and the conversation tends to dominated by photography.
 
Can you cater for special diets?
Yes, our accommodation providers can cater for most diets. Please provide specific requests at the time of booking.
 
What are the transport arrangements during the tour?
The normal mode of transport is by people carrier, which is comfortable and provides ample storage space for equipment. On some tours such as Knoydart, we will be dependent on a chartered boat, which is professionally skippered and gives access to locations by sea.
 
Do I need to have travel insurance if I am only travelling in the UK?
It is a condition of booking that you take out travel insurance if you are travelling with the Colin Prior Photography School. This will ensure that you are personally insured against any cancellation charges incurred through illness or other mitigating circumstances. Details of these charges can be found in our Terms and Conditions. For UK residents Snowcard are specialists in mountain sports travel cover. Visit their web site and book your travel insurance directly. It is also recommended you take out specialised insurance for any photographic equipment you wish to bring on the trip.

If I have a medical condition will this prevent me from joining a tour?
It is a condition of booking that you discloses any medical conditions. This is essential, as it may affect your own or other people's enjoyment of the tour and will allow us to access the implications in relation to the particular tour. See our Terms and Conditions