About us
Focus on - Responsible Photography Holidays
Responsible Photography Holidays is a small specialist owner managed business. Founded by Gail Ward, the concept for Responsible Photography Holidays originated during 2002, when Gail visited a variety of small income generating tourism initiatives whilst in Australia and Tasmania. Today, Gail and her local partners are just as committed to her original founding principles, which are:-
- photography holidays for very small groups of like minded people
- encourage sustainable local communities through working with local partners and suppliers to ensure local livelihoods benefit from our holidays.
- promote the purchase of local produce, locally made goods and traditional crafts.
- consider social, environmental and conservation issues, local traditions and cultural heritage.
- include the opportunity to share time, knowledge, skills and talents where possible.
- develop links with local projects, photographers and initiate photography/art projects
- offer an individual and personal approach
Focus on - photography holidays
Photography Holidays are for very small groups, usually no more than 6 -8 people and our aim is to provide you with different photographic opportunities and experiences. Some holidays involve traveling long distances to get to where we want to be and there can be quite a few early morning starts. Because of he nature of our photo holidays, participants
need to be
quite fit and adventurous! Whichever photo holiday you choose, your
photography is discussed with you and there is individual guidance and advice throughout (if you would like it!).
Focus on - we share because we care
It means that as informed responsible travellers, we care not only about our holiday and our photography, but about the impact we have on the places we visit and the people we meet. We want to know that local people will benefit from the money we spend on our holiday, rather than it trickle down through a transnational tourism corporation, for this reason Responsible Photography Holidays collaborates with local partners and uses mostly local style accommodation. There are opportunities to share knowledge and skills, offer practical help or donate much needed school equipment - pencils, crayons, exercise books, balls and bats, or basic medical provisions. We encourage our local partners, guides and helpers to join in - taking cameras for them to use and have fun with.
Our Mountain Village Experience in Morocco supports local livelihoods and offers an opportunity to experience a traditional way of life that is being carefully preserved. We stay in villages in the High Atlas Mountains, where the inhabitants have to be self reliant - they don't yet have electricity or telephone links, so during the winter can become completely cut off. We are developing a long term photography project with the village schools, and this holiday can involve helping with the project if you would like to. Full details on request. CRB/references may be required.
Focus on - non photographers
Yes, non photographers can join a Responsible Photography Holiday too! Travel with a very small group and see something a little bit different - especially if you paint, draw, walk or are interested in sharing your skills and talents on a 'share and care' holiday. Alternatively, take a look at our Responsible Community Tourism Holidays which offer similar opportunities and experiences in Morocco, Rwanda and Ethiopia - but without the focus on photography!
we share because we care