Every photography tour is a mix of excitement, anticipation… and a little bit of pressure.
You’ve travelled far. The conditions are (hopefully) amazing. And you want to come home with images you’re proud of.
But after running and guiding multiple tours, I’ve noticed something interesting:
It’s rarely talent that holds photographers back.
It’s small, repeatable mistakes.
The good news? Once you’re aware of them, they’re surprisingly easy to fix.
Let’s walk through the five I see most often.
1. Chasing the Same Shot as Everyone Else
It’s natural—you arrive at an incredible location, your guide sets up a composition, and everyone lines up shoulder-to-shoulder.
The result?
Ten photographers. Ten nearly identical photos.
There’s nothing wrong with that—especially when learning—but if that’s all you do, you miss the opportunity to develop your own eye.
How to fix it:
Once you’ve got the “safe shot,” take 5–10 minutes to explore.
- Move a few steps left or right
- Change your focal length
- Look behind you (seriously, this is underrated)
- Try a vertical composition
Some of the best images I’ve seen on tours came from photographers who simply wandered a little further.
👉 The goal isn’t to be different for the sake of it—it’s to see for yourself.
2. Overcomplicating Camera Settings
I see this a lot: photographers constantly adjusting settings, second-guessing themselves, or missing the moment entirely.
Meanwhile, the light is changing… fast.
Landscape photography rewards patience—but it also demands readiness.
How to fix it:
Simplify your approach.
For most landscape situations, you really only need to think about:
- Aperture (for depth of field, usually f/8–f/11)
- Shutter speed (to control motion)
- ISO (keep it low unless needed)
Set a solid baseline early, then make small adjustments.
👉 The fewer decisions you’re juggling, the more attention you can give to light and composition—the things that actually matter.
3. Ignoring the Light (and Focusing Only on the Location)
This one is huge.
Photographers often get fixated on where they are instead of what the light is doing.
But here’s the truth:
The same location can look completely different depending on the light.
How to fix it:
Train yourself to observe light first, composition second.
Ask:
- Where is the light coming from?
- Is it soft, harsh, directional?
- What is it illuminating—or not illuminating?
Sometimes the best shot isn’t the obvious scene in front of you, but a smaller moment where the light is doing something special.
👉 Great photography is less about “being there” and more about “seeing the light.”
4. Not Being Ready When It Matters Most
Sunrise and sunset don’t wait.
Yet I still see photographers arriving late to a spot, setting up slowly, or adjusting gear while the best light comes and goes.
Those peak moments? They often last just a few minutes.
How to fix it:
Be ready before the light happens.
- Arrive early
- Set up your composition in advance
- Pre-focus and test your exposure
- Anticipate how the light will change
When the moment comes, you should only be making small tweaks—not starting from scratch.
👉 Preparation is what allows you to be fully present when the magic happens.
5. Focusing Only on the Shot (and Forgetting the Experience)
This might be the most important one.
Some photographers get so locked into “getting the shot” that they forget to enjoy where they are.
They rush. They stress. They compare.
And ironically, that pressure often leads to worse images.
How to fix it:
Take a step back—literally.
Put the camera down for a moment.
- Look around
- Take in the atmosphere
- Enjoy the environment you travelled so far to experience
When you’re relaxed and present, your creativity improves naturally.
👉 The best photographers I’ve worked with aren’t the most technical—they’re the ones who are fully engaged with the experience.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made any of these mistakes before—you’re not alone. We all have.
Photography tours aren’t about perfection. They’re about growth.
Every location, every shoot, every small adjustment you make—it all adds up.
And often, the difference between a good photo and a great one isn’t dramatic.
It’s subtle awareness. Better timing. A small shift in perspective.
If you’re planning to join a photography tour soon, keep these in mind.
And if you’ve been on one before—I’m curious:
Which of these mistakes do you see most often (or recognise in yourself)?