I'm semi retired and have picked up photography again. I've seen posts where photographers talk about other photographers they travel with. How do you go about finding someone with similar interests that can travel? I'm fortunate that my wife lets me travel and use half my pay from my new job for photography.
The Southwest and Colorado are awesome places, but being from Michigan there's a cost involved when I travel out there. The airfare isn't too much of an issue and neither is lodging, I usually camp when possible. Renting a vehicle gets expensive for a couple of weeks especially when it's an SUV.
Well, a good place to start would be to consider joining other photographers at one of the events stuck to the top of this forum (Ice Lakes..., Labor Day North Rim...).
Living in Michigan, you might be able to hook up with another person at the Midwest Nature Photographers forum.
Why not just drive out here rather than renting an expensive vehicle?
Posted by Doug Beezley on July 11, 2012 at 7:38 PM
George,
Another way would be to find a good photography tour company that has tours to destinations in which you are interested; you'd be surprised how many "photo buddies" you'll find in your own back yard (and beyond) that way. I started out with Rocky Mountain School of Photography and moved on from a workshop oriented company to a tour oriented company. I live in the deep South but now have photo and personal friends in Michigan (Grand Rapids, Holland) as well as Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and places far beyond. Take a look at LightChase Photography Tours (Illinois based) - I've been on 10 trips with them and will be on another this fall. Go to:
Posted by Jack Garrett on July 11, 2012 at 9:24 PM
You could also join a local photography club. I used to belong to Denver Digital Photography club and developed some friendships there. You could advertise for a photo buddy on Craigslist but be careful and screen any responses carefully. Enter local art shows and you will always meet fellow photographers at the opening reception. Go on the internet and do a google search for photographers in your area "photographers in (city) Michigan...that should give you some names and websites. Lastly, whenever you are in the field and you run into someone, if you strike up a conversation and it clicks, ask them if they would be interested in shooting with you sometime. Good luck!
I hadn't thought about it, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't a Meetup group that would serve your purpose. And if you post your travel plans on this forum, you can sometimes find people who will be happy to join you for at least a day or so to save on gas money and have some company on a landscape-shooting jaunt.
Posted by Darren Huski on July 12, 2012 at 8:41 PM
+1 on the photo club route. Great way to meet local photographers. Our local group has grown to 200+ We do regular outings, but several good friends I met there go almost every weekend.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 12, 2012 at 11:05 PM
I'm down in Indianapolis, but travel west all the time. I have been a member of this forum for about 8 years and have met some wonderful friends/photogs to hang out with. When you go to some of the iconic spots, it's easy to meet a group of photogs all standing in the same spot for the classic sunrise/sunset image. Just strike up a conversation and maybe you can hang out with one or two of them during your trip.
I've tried some of those suggestions without any luck. Most people I've met locally can't afford to go and I'm not sure how long my wife will allow me to divert funds for photography. I haven't participated in a workshop out west yet, mostly on the east coast. Those participant usually attend the workshop because it's close to home.
Guess I'll keep trying or just suck it up and continue to do it alone. Thanks for the suggestions.
Discussion
11 repliesThe Southwest and Colorado are awesome places, but being from Michigan there's a cost involved when I travel out there. The airfare isn't too much of an issue and neither is lodging, I usually camp when possible. Renting a vehicle gets expensive for a couple of weeks especially when it's an SUV.
Living in Michigan, you might be able to hook up with another person at the Midwest Nature Photographers forum.
Why not just drive out here rather than renting an expensive vehicle?
Another way would be to find a good photography tour company that has tours to destinations in which you are interested; you'd be surprised how many "photo buddies" you'll find in your own back yard (and beyond) that way. I started out with Rocky Mountain School of Photography and moved on from a workshop oriented company to a tour oriented company. I live in the deep South but now have photo and personal friends in Michigan (Grand Rapids, Holland) as well as Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and places far beyond. Take a look at LightChase Photography Tours (Illinois based) - I've been on 10 trips with them and will be on another this fall. Go to:
http://www.lightchasephotography.com/
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
Guess I'll keep trying or just suck it up and continue to do it alone. Thanks for the suggestions.
George, sorry that I can't add to the suggestions above.