Arizona 2027 - 5 Open Spots

Cost

• $3,500 (Airfare, hotel, meals, transportation, and park entrance fees are not included).

• $1,100 non-refundable deposit due on signup. Balance of $2,400 due by January 15, 2027.

• Free 2 Hour Image Review and Processing Bonus Session after the tour to help with processing questions.

Tour Objective

To come home with high-quality and memorable images of the diverse birdlife of Arizona. We will spend 5 days photographing birds from blinds that are on private property. We will also have some evening sessions where we will look for and hopefully photograph owls.

Description

We’ll spend 5 days photographing desert and montane species.

Travel

Fly into Tucson and we will be based out of Green Valley, Arizona. Hotel recommendations and exact locations to be given after deposit. You will be responsible for renting your own vehicle, arranging airline travel and making hotel reservations .

Hotel

TBD

Schedule

Morning Sessions: We will meet at our agreed upon locations at sunrise, so expect to be up early enough to be ready to shoot at sunrise. Morning locations are all close to our hotels and most mornings will be less than a 20 minute drive to get to our shooting locations. If we have full sun then we will stop after the light gets harsh and go back to the hotel. There will be about an hour drive one morning to get to the top of the mountain for montane species.

Lunch Time: Optional image review session where we will review the images from the morning. We will work on things like processing and composition and I will make suggestions or answer any questions.

After Lunch: we will have some personal time before our evening sessions.

Evening sessions: we will arrive to our evening locations leaving time for some scouting and preparing for the best light of the day. On cloudy days we will limit our lunch and image review time to shoot as long as possible.

In order to make the most of our time and come home with as many high quality images as possible, expect to leave each day early and come back late.

Meals

Most hotels offer a continental breakfast that opens at 6:30 a.m., which leaves time to grab some food and be on location for sunrise. Lunch and dinner is with the group, if you desire.

What to Bring

Photography Gear

• There are a large variety of birds which we will photograph between 400mm-600mm (minimum focal length of at least 400mm lens is required). A prime lens or telephoto zoom would be ideal.

• If you own a telephoto prime and a zoom you may want to bring both

• 1.4 teleconverter is optional but highly recommended

• I recommend bringing a back up camera.

• Bring lots of extra batteries and a rapid charger.

• Bring as many  memory cards with as much storage as you can as it is not uncommon to fill up 320gb or more in a single session.

• I also highly recommend bringing a laptop or other external storage to transfer your images from your memory cards.

Other Gear

• Ground pod, monopod or tripod - whatever you prefer to shoot with.

Clothes

• Protection from the desert sun

Weather

We will be out in all weather conditions and will shoot in the sun or rain. Mornings can be cool and can warm up quickly during the day. I recommend layers so that you can shed them as the temperature warms up.

Physical Activity

We will be photographing most sessions from blinds. Very little walking and strenuous activity required.

My Responsibilities

I will get you in front of the birds and assist in creating the highest quality photos as possible with each opportunity we have. I will help with obtaining the most pleasing backgrounds and compositions. I will help with field craft techniques and with attracting the birds when needed. I will also put us in the most productive spots to be able to produce high quality photographs of the highest species diversity possible. I will be there to answer all questions and to help facilitate any other needs you may have.

My Ask

Enjoy yourself as much as possible and get cards full of beautiful photos.  I love to talk birds, cameras and gear. I am here to help so anything that you need, please just ask.

Cancellation Policy

Participants who cancel may receive a refund of all amounts paid, less a $500 cancellation fee, only if Isaac Grant Photo Tours, LLC is able to fill the vacated spot. If the spot cannot be filled, no refund will be issued. Cancellations made within ninety (90) days of the trip’s scheduled departure date are non-refundable under all circumstances. Once the trip has been paid in full, all payments are non-refundable.

Participant Conduct

All participants in workshops and tours operated by Isaac Grant Photo Tours, LLC agree to conduct themselves in a respectful, lawful, and professional manner at all times, including, but not limited to, treating fellow participants, guides, staff, property, and the public with respect, and complying with all applicable laws, as well as all instructions, policies, and guidelines provided by Isaac Grant Photo Tours, LLC. Isaac Grant Photo Tours, LLC reserves the sole and absolute right, in its discretion, to remove any participant at any time for behavior deemed unsafe, disruptive, unlawful, or otherwise inconsistent with these standards or the orderly operation of the trip. Any participant removed under this provision must leave the workshop or tour immediately and shall forfeit all fees and payments made. Isaac Grant Photo Tours, LLC shall have no liability or responsibility for any additional costs or expenses incurred by the participant, including, without limitation, lodging, transportation, rental vehicles, meals, or any other incidental expenses.

Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Unforeseen circumstances may arise, and obtaining travel insurance is the most effective way to protect your investment. Participants are solely responsible for reviewing the terms, conditions, and exclusions of any travel insurance policy to ensure a full understanding of what is and is not covered.