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HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK
Quick Guide
Written by Ĺudmila Borošová
If you’re a photographer living in a popular tourist · What are the pros and cons of creating a
area and you’re looking for stable income, then you photo walk business?
might consider setting up a vacation photography
package or a photo walk. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s just · How to manage your photo walk experience in
a few clicks away. I do photo walks in Prague, Czech the best way possible.
Republic, and I’ll teach you what you need to know! · How to keep it profitable!
Or, if you’re interested in buying a photo walk while
on vacation, then read on! You will find this guide Recommended Reading: Want to expand
very valuable. your shooting skills and master photography?
Grab our set of 65 beautifully designed and
Today, we’ll cover the following: printable Action Cards that will give you over
· What is vacation photography? 200 photography assignments to help you take
your photography to the next level. Check it out
· Why are photo walks a perfect opportunity for here.
better pictures?
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 2
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 3
SO, WHAT IS A PHOTO
WALK EXACTLY?
Imagine yourself hopping on a plane
to your dream destination. What’s the
scariest part? Landing in an unknown
country? Getting lost in the city center?
For many, it’s the thought of not getting
their perfect vacation photos taken.
Jokes aside, vacation photography has
become incredibly popular over the last
few years.
Many clients are reaching out to
photographers, inquiring about photos of
their vacation. Single travelers, couples,
and even families do it more often than
you might think.
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 4
Definition: Vacation photography is when Key Lesson: With targeted advertising you
you have a package delivering clients a private can reach tourist customers. However, you can
photoshoot with all the highlights from a also target amateur photographers who would
specific city in the background. It’s typically like a guided tour of your city, so that they can
more expensive compared to a straight photo hit all the great photo spots in a short period of
walk. time.
Definition: A photo walk is a part of
vacation photography, and a very similar Where Can You Find Photo Walks?
experience, but is usually a group tour targeted · Airbnb Experiences – easy to get customers
toward travelers on a budget who love meeting
new people. Having full capacity on a photo · Vacation photography platforms – e.g.
walk enables the photographer to earn even SmilePleez, which is easy to get higher-paying
more money than with a private vacation customers
photography shoot.
· Personal websites – harder to find
The important question is, does your city have
enough tourists?
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Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
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HOW DID I CREATE MY
OWN PHOTO WALK?
Let me walk you through my thinking
process! I was playing with the idea of
starting something similar for such a long
time.
Living in Prague, I see photographers
and tourists in the city center all the time!
When I was traveling abroad alone by
myself, it clicked. I needed to figure out a
way to start shooting photo walks myself.
I searched for photo walks online, booked
the best-rated photographer that I could
find, and fell in love with the photos we
created AND the evening!
I immediately started planning out my
own Prague photo walk in my head.
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 7
BEFORE YOU START
Let me tell you, there are multiple things you will Cons
love and hate about this work. Before you start, you
should be aware of them and make your choice! a) Repetitive and not as challenging – Knowing all
the photo spots comes with a disadvantage, though.
Pros It doesn’t push your creativity, and you are mostly just
shooting the same picture with a different person and
a) Meeting new people every day – People who walking the same path. It’s probably ideal to do this
sign up for these walks are super fun! Whether they job just a few times per week, or for a shorter period
are individuals, friends, or couples, I never feel like of time each day.
I’m working because it is so exciting to have clients
from all around the world every day! b) Waking up early – Maybe it isn’t a problem in
your city, but if I want to catch the center of Prague
b) Easier than other photoshoots – When you walk with nice sunlight and (almost) no people, I have to
on the same spots, you end up knowing all the best wake up very early! Consider if that’s for you.
photo points and don’t have to worry at all! Waking
up is never stressful – only when it rains.
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Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
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HOW DO YOU MANAGE
AN EXPERIENCE?
It’s not hard to set up an experience,
because any provider that you choose (for
example, Airbnb) will carefully walk you
through all the steps with text and image
suggestions!
Before you start setting your advertising
page up, make sure that you already have
images in your portfolio to attract your
clients!
It’s a bit more complicated with running
the business itself, because these kinds
of platforms are usually in different tax
systems!
It depends on the specific country, and
that’s why you should hire a professional
in your area to discuss the legalities.
Money wise, though, these platforms
usually take a percentage from your price
(for example, Airbnb takes 20%). You
will usually receive the 80% in your bank
account the day after the photoshoot is
completed, and you are responsible for
your own taxes.
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 10
STEPS TO THE PERFECT PHOTO
WALK EXPERIENCE
Welcome Message
When a guest books you, don’t forget to send them a message
as soon as possible, ideally with all the important reminders
such as time and location. They should already know them, but
it will help refresh their memory! Don’t forget to encourage
them to ask you anything about the city and be ready to
respond. With some providers, you can prepare an automated
first message. Just make sure it’s always up to date!
Added Value
What I like to include in my welcome message is already some
added value that they did not expect. I provide them with a
map where all my favorite locations are pinned, as well as a
large PDF file with more images from previous photo walks. I
also include FAQs and tips on what to wear, and where they
might want to go on their own. There is also a short biography
about me because I want them to be comfortable meeting me
for the first time!
This little unexpected act of added value will make my guests
feel more comfortable about being photographed and “lost” in
a new city. Don’t forget to include your social media links!
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
Front Page of my informative PDF
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Group Chat
On the day before the photo walk (or when I know
that the capacity for a photo walk is already full),
I create a group chat with all the participants!
It’s easier for us to discuss any changes (such as
weather) and it’s a perfect way to keep everyone
in touch after the photo walk ends.
Recommended Reading: Want to expand
your shooting skills and master photography?
Grab our set of 65 beautifully designed and
printable Action Cards that will give you over
200 photography assignments to help you
take your photography to the next level.
Check it out here.
Meeting
I’m always on the spot at least 10 minutes before
the official meeting time, and I make sure all
guests know what I’m wearing so they can easily
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
spot me.
When everyone’s ready to start the walk, I ask
them to introduce themselves to the others, as it’s
easier when we break the ice in the beginning.
The whole experience can take up to three hours,
and it would be a pity if everyone spent it quietly.
This way, you are leaving with amazing photos and
new friends from all over the world!
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 12
The Photo Walk Experience
It’s essential that you have your route planned out! In the end,
the spots are what you are advertising to your clients. That
doesn’t mean to avoid experimenting, but stick to your path.
Along the way, encourage your guests to show you a spot
they’d like to be photographed in and combine it with your pre-
planned views.
The most important thing is to know your sun! You must know
the lighting!
My tours start differently depending upon the time of the year.
Avoid harsh sunlight. Those who want nice pictures won’t mind
waking up early! And I’m sure my free coffee will help them
survive the morning.
Drink Included
Free coffee, you said!? Yes! Guests love being taken care of, and
in my case that includes a free drink.
City centers of a big metropolis like Prague tend to be very
overwhelming, with overpriced restaurants and tourist traps
everywhere.
Your guests will appreciate it if you show them a place that you,
as a local, like visiting!
I’m sure that there are many beautiful hidden gems in your city
known only to locals. If it’s nearby, don’t be afraid to show it to
them!
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 13
Free drinks have many advantages. Not only is it a Forget that approach! This is not a photoshoot that
small gesture of appreciation, but if you do it in the needs high-end retouching.
beginning, it is also a great time to break the ice!
It’s a photoshoot for travelers who want nice pictures
Group Photo from various places and ideally to share them
online while it’s still relevant! My turnaround time
Don’t forget to take a group photo of your guests is therefore 48 hours and I provide minimal post-
and, if possible, a selfie including you! It’s such a processing.
good memory they will cherish forever, and it only
takes a few seconds! Always Overdeliver
Fast Turnaround Since I only do my editing from photo walks in
Lightroom, it’s easy to edit more photos at once and
Now that the photo walk is over, all of the post- to adjust some of the settings.
processing begins.
It’s not as hard for you to deliver a bit more than you
Do you know that moment, when you’ve been sitting promised, so why not do it?
in front of your editing program for hours trying to
figure out if the contrast looks better with +2 or +4? Your guests will be so happy to get something extra
Of course you do! and you will earn that nice review! Make sure you
include a photo from each location.
Even though I enjoy editing my portrait photoshoots
a lot, this is not the case with photo walks.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 14
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 15
Reviews
It’s important to maintain a good rating
because it allows you to ask for a higher
price in the future, and it builds trust with
potential clients.
I think it goes without saying, but if your
guests want anything, try delivering it with
a smile!
You are there to make their vacation
memorable, show them hidden spots,
and help them to experience the city from
a local point of view.
If you feel like you’ve clicked and had a
great time, don’t forget to kindly ask for
an honest review when sending pictures.
Sometimes, they just need a reminder,
and in the end it’s the greatest reward.
If you go above and beyond for your
guests, they will do the same with the
Screenshot by Ľudmila Borošová review.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 16
FINANCES
Photo walks are usually full of
competition. That’s why you need to play
with your price in the right way.
You shouldn’t think about this as your
regular photoshoot!
For example, my private vacation
photography photoshoot would be priced
at 3000 CZK/$127 USD, and that’s also
my income before taxes. If you’re just
starting out and have no reviews, you
should consider starting with a lower
price.
Private vacation
photography
2500 CZK $106 USD
photoshoot
income
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 17
What about my pricing when it comes to group My fully booked session consists of five people,
photo walks? I just started my photo walk tours very and it’s not a problem to be fully booked in spring,
recently, and I don’t have as many reviews as some summer, or the fall. Therefore, I can earn 3900
of the other photographers. I can only compete with CZK/$165.50 USD before tax per day. It might not
the quality of my portfolio and pricing. Therefore, this look like much, but prices of photo walks vary widely
is the price that works best for me: from country to country!
Use this table as a starting point and do your own
Photo walk per research about average wages and prices in your
1050 CZK $44.56 USD
person area or the area you are traveling to.
-20% Airbnb
840 CZK $35.65 USD Recommended Reading: Want to expand
commission
your shooting skills and master photography?
Drink of choice Grab our set of 65 beautifully designed and
60 CZK $2.55 USD printable Action Cards that will give you over
(approx.)
200 photography assignments to help you take
Income before your photography to the next level. Check it out
780 CZK $33.10 USD here.
taxes per person
Fully booked
3900 CZK $165.50 USD
session income
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 18
ARE YOU READY?
Photo walks are not an overnight success,
but you can start making money pretty
quickly! If marketing is your biggest issue
with your business, you finally have a
platform (Airbnb Experiences) to easily
present yourself on while earning valuable
reviews and experience.
Try it out for yourself and see where it
gets you!
I started booking my clients just days after
I registered, and the growth was visible in
around 2-3 months!
Photograph by Ľudmila Borošová
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 19
Self-Check Quiz: Non-Shooting Assignment:
1) What is the difference between vacation photography and · Research the market. Approximately how many tourists visit
photo walks? your city each year?
2) What are the pros and cons of photo walks? · Research the market. Is there anyone doing photo walks in
your area already?
3) Do you need to pay special taxes if you want to get
inquiries from an online platform? · Plan a route of all the important sights of your city, lasting
no more than one hour of walking.
4) Name three ways you can add value to your photo walk.
· Ask your friend to model for you while you do your test
5) Is it important to do high-end retouching? shoot.
6) Why is inviting your guests for a drink a great idea? · Find out about legal requirements in your country.
7) Is it polite to ask for a review?
8) How can you make a photo walk profitable while charging
low prices?
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A PHOTO WALK // © [Link] 20
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve completed
this Photzy guide!
If you liked this photography tutorial, check out
our set of 65 beautifully designed and printable
project sheets that will give you over 200
photography assignments to help you take your
photography to the next level: Action Cards.
Ĺudmila is a Slovak photographer focusing on portraiture.
She does photography while finishing her Master’s degree in
Business Administration, specializing in Entrepreneurship. She is
based in Prague, Czech Republic, but loves to travel around the
world and share her stories, as well as her photoshoots, on her
IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE
blog.
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