PHOTO JOURNEYS
A collection of immersive tours to the most compelling places we know. Curated for photographers, by photographers.
PHOTO JOURNEYS
Our photo journeys are the result of years of returning to the places on the planet we have found most compelling and a pouring of our deep expertise and passion for building potent travel experiences in them—with an eye to what photographers will prioritize & find most interesting… And this we know intimately as photographers ourselves.
Each trip is meticulously developed via extensive on-the-ground scouting, as we pledge to present a compelling & logistically-sound production only once we are truly familiar with all the puzzle pieces available for it. They are brought to life via deeply-trusted in-country partners and encyclopedic local guides that enable rich exploration and an ability to meet the unexpected.
Our journeys stand on their own as immersive, thought-provoking, awe-inducing ways of encountering a place. But they are designed with the timing, pacing and variety of experience that fits best for photographers.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Our Photo Journeys are designed to give you a seamless travel experience so you can experience the destination to its fullest. Most feature:
✔️ Photography Focused Itinerary
✔️ Professional Photo Instructor
✔️ Open Sky Trip Leader
✔️ Expert Local Guide
✔️ Small Group (6-12 Participants)
✔️ Accommodations
✔️ Majority of Meals
✔️ On-Trip Transportation
✔️ Private Traveler Portal with Live Updates
✔️ Thorough Pre-Departure Information
✔️ Live Trip Briefing and Q&A via Zoom
✔️ Flight Guidance and Booking Partners
✔️ Insurance Guidance and Trusted Partners
OUR ONBOARDING PROCESS
REGISTRATION | Fill out the registration form for your selected photography expedition. We'll follow up quickly!
DEPOSIT PAYMENT | Submit trip deposit through our online payment processor. With that payment, you will be 100% confirmed for the trip.
PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE | Receive a pre-departure timeline and guidance packet with a checklist of next-steps including travel insurance recommendations, parameters for booking flights, on payments, etc.
LIVE ZOOM BRIEFING AND Q&A | Join your Open Sky trip leader and photo instructor for an overview of your experience, including trip logistics, packing recs, camera gear, and more.
YOUR EXPEDITION | Embark on your photo journey with a small group of like-minded creative travelers. With our team of dedicated travel guides, you can be fully present to the multi-sensory experience of place, undistracted by any logistical hassles
ABOUT OUR PHOTO JOURNEYS
We offer a collection of photography-focused international journeys that stand on their own as immersive, thought-provoking, awe-inducing ways of encountering a place. They are carefully crafted to provide the perfect blend of timing, pacing, and diverse experiences for photographers. Whether you're a seasoned photographer, or just learning the ropes, each of our Photo Journeys is designed to suit any skill level, with professional instruction to further elevate your shots. Each Photo Journey includes:
Professional Photo Instructors
Each Photo Journey features a seasoned professional photographer, with experience as an instructor, ready to guide you on your journey to capturing stunning moments and mastering your technical camera skills both in the field and during post-production workshops.
Expert Trip Leader
Experience seamless travel with our professional tour leader who possesses extensive logistics expertise. Your journey's transportation, lodging, meals, and more will be guided by a travel expert, ensuring a stress-free and unforgettable exploration of your destination.
Top Local Guide
Our trips are led by local guides with encyclopedic knowledge of their home countries. These passionate experts become your personal portals to a place, offering immersive insights, untold stories, and a genuine connection to the culture. Experience travel at its most authentic.
Intimacy as a Guiding Principle
We organize trips with small groups ranging from 6 to 12 participants, allowing us to foster a sense of interconnectedness among travelers and our shared passion for photography. This is a guiding principle in the selection of hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
Extensive Pre-Trip Scouting
Each destination, experience, and partnership we offer has been carefully scouted in-person by the Open Sky team with remarkable attention to detail. We are prepared to present exceptionally unique photographic opportunities, while keeping your safety as a top priority.
Thorough Pre-Trip Prep
Each journey includes a private trip portal for registered travelers, pre-departure trip briefings, and industry partners to easily obtain insurance & flights. Personnel from our team are intimately familiar with each trip offering, and are prepared to help with any questions or concerns.
WORDS FROM OUR PHOTO JOURNEY TRAVELERS
"Traveling with Open Sky means experiencing the perfect curation of adventure and luxury. Antarctica was our fourth photography trip with Alex and his team. Not only does Alex plan for every eventuality, he has back ups for his back ups. In remote locations, where conditions can change unexpectedly, Open Sky delivers exceptional experiences and the brilliant photos to prove it."
- Antarctica Participant
"Temu was simply great. Communication to the group, the welfare of the people, the need to make the trip excellent for everyone at any level of experience was clearly paramount in his thoughts, plans and actions. His greatest strength which was obvious and appreciated by us was his ability to think and re-plan on the fly depending upon weather and other circumstances."
-Jerry & Beth, Norway Participants
“You guys are great - so organized and helpful…everyone at Open Sky made this a seamless journey. I had never used a tour company before…I think the level of detail and care allowed me to focus on photography and trust the rest would be handled. Loved it - would highly recommend you and would go anywhere with Temu.”
-South India Participant
"Our trip to Morocco was absolutely flawless. Moulay was a delight, and so interesting and informative. He really let us into the Muslim world. Temu kept everything so organized, and running smoothly. He was also funny, and charming. Morocco was a very Magical and visual place, especially for photographers. David was excellent, and even the best of us all learned from him."
- Tom, Morocco Participant
"You guys are simply the BEST. Thank you for an amazing, one- of-a-kind, never-to-be-forgotten, awesome, experience... This was my first photography tour, I have only before traveled by myself, and never even knew these things really existed. So I cannot compare it to any others, but I have a feeling that you guys have spoiled me for any others."
- Sally, Morocco Participant
"It was a trip of a lifetime—a great adventure. Juan is probably the best there is! And Temu... he is the best thing about Open Sky (and there are many great things). I would go anywhere in the world with Temu. He went above and beyond to ensure our safety and happiness."
- Connie, Galapagos Participant
"Michael is extremely talented and knowledgeable but I think even stronger than that is his teaching ability. He is patient and helps you learn and understand more throughout the process. He gave me the encouragement and confidence to take my photos and enjoy the experience. I will continue to take workshops with him to further improve my knowledge and comfort."
-Jessica, Norway Participant
“Keep up the good work! Thanks for providing me with yet another once-in-lifetime wonderful travel adventure. Namibia is simply one of the most amazing places on earth, mind-blowing scenery, the most outstanding night skies in the world, and people with a welcoming warmth. Animals and birds were breath taking is variety and abundance. But what made the trip stellar was Temu and Open Sky.”
- Hal, Namibia Participant
Expedition Feature:
Antarctica
We return in January 2026 for 7th season, partnered with the world’s most experienced operator of air-cruises. Skip the treacherous Drake Passage and fly straight to the awe-inspiring 7th continent, where you’ll explore aboard the best expedition ship we know—the Magellan Explorer. Both trips are hosted by tour leader & photo pro Temu Nana, and our group enjoys exclusive perks and special treatment. This is a journey like no other—experience the ultimate Antarctic adventure.
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Why Travel with Open Sky Expeditions?With 25+ years in the travel industry, we’ve traveled to 120+ countries combined, led journeys in 60+ countries, and on all seven continents. We developed and operated tours for the most demanding, exacting educational organizations in the world, and brought that experience to bear in our small-group journeys. We know what details matter, and we’ve thought through every element of the experience from start to finish. We know how to create a fun, easygoing atmosphere while efficiently navigating the expected and unexpected, all while communicating clearly and directly. How do we know we’re good at this? Almost every group that travels with us has at least 2-3 repeat travelers!
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How will Open Sky help to prepare me for the journey?To begin, if you have any questions that you wish to ask directly, you’ll have 24/7 access to our team from the moment you register for a trip. Additionally, you will not only have access to a private website with suggestions on packing/equipment, current itinerary, timelines, etc., but we’ll also host a pre-trip briefing for all travelers in which we cover all of these questions, in detail.
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Are Open Sky's trips exclusively for photographers?Our trips are open to anyone, not just photography enthusiasts - and creative minds in any regard are especially welcome. We always welcome spouses and partners that are not photographers, who want to experience the adventure with their significant other. Each of our trips includes a professional photo instructor, who can be as involved in your personal experience as you wish. While many of the locations we visit were chosen because of the inspiring camera opportunities, we often have travelers who come simply to soak it all in. Our photo instructors are also excellent at helping to maximize your iPhone-photography capabilities!
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Does Open Sky create custom itineraries?Yes! We'd be thrilled to create a bespoke travel experience for you. Having traveled to over 160 countries between our team, and over two decades of combined experience planning and leading trips professionally, we have excellent relationships, partnerships, and recommendations worldwide. If you're interested in a custom experience as a stand-alone trip or a Photo Journey extension, please reach out to us directly.
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Hesitant to travel with a group?We’ve built a very wonderful community of like-minded travelers. Our groups are purposefully small to create camaraderie and ease of travel. Our trips often create long lasting friendships. From a creative perspective, it is always exciting to see fellow traveler’s unique photography perspectives and styles, learning from each other.
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What are the physical health requirements of your trips?It depends on the exact itinerary, but generally speaking we don’t plan physically strenuous journeys. You should be able to walk at a relaxed pace for up to two miles, be on your feet for an hour or two, and be able to sit in a vehicle for several hours. Again, it greatly varies based on the itinerary. Feel free to reach out to us for specifics!
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Concerned about the safety of a trip or destination?We are constantly keeping up with the country's safety status, always taking government issued travel warnings seriously. We work with top tier, vetted, and trusted guides, and we have scouted every location on trips ourselves. If there are ANY safety concerns from location to location, our guides and trip leaders will brief you on them thoroughly. We offer a pre-trip Zoom briefing to all of our travelers, during which our trip leaders will answer any questions regarding safety concerns. Lastly, our pre-departure information includes tips and information for staying safe and healthy on the trip as well.
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What exactly is a Photo Journey?In short, all of our Photo Journeys allow you to explore and immerse yourself in an incredible destination—sometimes cultural, sometimes natural, often both—while gaining photographic skills through instructor-led teaching and in-the-field experience. Additionally, we handle all of the logistical details and “hassle of travel”, so you can focus on the photography and destination. Check out the information on our Photo Journeys page to learn more.
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What does Open Sky's pre-departure support look like?We pride ourselves on our tried and true pre-departure support, and pledge to be there for you every step of the way for a seamless experience. Upon registration, you will receive a timeline of what to expect prior to departure including payment and personal information form due dates. We will provide detailed flight recommendations and insurance guidance with booking options through our trusted partners. Each trip participant will be invited to join a private HQ site which features announcements, packing recommendations, destination info, and important files. One to two weeks before departure, we will provide you with a custom, printable final itinerary and contacts sheet.
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Is there independent time on trips?Yes! Our trip itineraries include balanced time for you to explore or relax independently. For leisure time or independent meals, our trip leaders provide the group with a list of restaurants or areas of town we love, as well as safety briefings to ensure you feel confident venturing on your own.
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What’s included on a photo journey?Generally speaking, once you arrive to the destination, we’ve got you covered! Almost all journeys include gratuities, travel, lodgings, most meals, entrance fees, etc. While there are exceptions, you generally only pay for gifts, meals away from the group, and personal items.
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What does our trip registration process look like?Our trip sign-up process is simple and swift. Fill out the registration form provided on the specific trip page or brochure. Our team will promptly reach within 1-2 business days with a welcome note and an electronic invoice to pay the trip deposit. Once the initial deposit is paid, you will be 100% confirmed for your adventure! Trip timelines, a private HQ site, and prep guidance will soon follow.
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What skill level as a photographer do I need to be to join the photo trips?We welcome all skill levels, from beginners to advanced amateurs. More experienced photographers are often want us to simply get them to the destination and handle all the logistics so they can fire away without distraction. Less experienced photographers may be looking for more concrete instruction on composition, technical skill, settings, or artistic ideas. Wherever you are on your photographic journey, we’ll meet you there!