(NYTIMES) - There's travel photography, and then there's travelling for photography.
An increasing number of travel companies and hotels today offer learning excursions and tours aimed at aspiring photographers, spanning a few hours to a few weeks.
Ms Janine Yu, an adviser at the New York City-based travel company Indagare, said that because of photo-sharing apps like Instagram, more and more people are taking up photography as a hobby.
"The travel industry is catering to this growing interest in a fun way," she said. "After all, what more enjoyable way to learn how to improve your camera skills than by exploring a great destination at the same time?"
Here are 10 tours, trips and hotels to bring out your inner Ansel Adams.
1. A Photo Safari at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya
Learn how to take frame-worthy images with the new photo safari at this camp, in an area rich with game, including wildebeest, lions and hippos.
Guests can book the safari for as little as a half-day or for up to several days and are lent the equipment they need, including a Nikon 600mm camera.
The safaris are led by a naturalist who is also a skilled photographer, and they take place in a jeep equipped with electrical charging stations for the cameras, 360-degree swivel chairs with camera mounts for long-lens stability and a fully stocked bar. Prices from US$275 (S$372) for a half-day. Camp rates start at US$330 per person per night, including all meals, game drives and transfers. (&Beyond's Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp and Serengeti Under Canvas offer similar tours.) Book at andbeyond.com
2. Strabo Photo Tours
Aspiring photographers have their pick of more than 50 trips a year from this travel company specialising in photography vacations, which are offered on six continents (only Antarctica is excluded) and run the diversity gamut.
Trips to Slovenia's glacial lakes and vineyards and to the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica are two examples. Most journeys last 10 days to 14 days, and all are led by a professional photographer as well as a local guide; there are usually four to 12 travellers on every itinerary. From US$2,595, including accommodations, some meals, daily photography lessons and destination tours. Book at phototc.com or by calling 607-756-8676.
3. Vermejo Park Ranch, Raton, New Mexico
Owned by media mogul and conservationist Ted Turner, this property, a 236,740ha expanse of terrain ranging from shortgrass prairie to alpine tundra, offers themed photography packages three times a year.
Each is for four nights and led by a professional photographer, but their focus varies. The September package, for example, covers shooting the elk-mating season. Prices from US$3,500 a person, inclusive of accommodations, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages and non-guided activities such as horseback riding. Book online at vermejoparkranch.com or by calling 877-288-7637 or by e-mailing reservations@tedturnerexpeditions.com
4. Quasar Expeditions Photo Safari Galapagos Cruises
The Galapagos Islands are renowned for abundant wildlife such as iguanas and green sea turtles, and these seven-night cruises, offered nearly monthly, supply a chance to photograph the animals up close.
The naturalist guides-turned-photographers who lead the cruises run nightly briefings, where they review guests' photos and teach them techniques to get the best shots for the animals they will likely see the following day. Also, guests disembark from the boat early to get sunrise shots of the islands and come back to the ship in the early evening so they can capture sunset images of the islands, too. Prices from US$4,620 a person. Book by calling 800-247-2925 or e-mailing infousa@quasarex.com
