Why Small Group Photography Workshops Create Big Results
Why Small Group Photography Workshops Create Big Results … And why your next adventure should be with a more intimate crew.
Something special happens when a small group of passionate photographers gathers, and not in a packed bus or a crowded overlook, but in a quiet moment of golden light, where the only sound is a shutter click and maybe a laugh or two from new friends. That’s the magic of a small group photography workshop.
At Akari Photo Tours, we’ve seen firsthand how a more personal, more flexible experience elevates every moment—from the field to the feedback session. Whether you’re a budding hobbyist or a seasoned shooter looking for inspiration and someone to take you to the right place, at the best time, here’s why choosing a smaller group makes all the difference.
1. No Elbow Battles at Sunrise: Prime Spots, All Yours
Ever been to an epic location, only to find yourself stuck behind a dozen tripods and someone's backpack? Ever been on a photo safari where the action happens on the side of the vehicle you are not on? Yeah, we’ve been there too.
With fewer participants, there’s no scrambling for position. Everyone gets a front-row seat—whether it’s a spectacular golden hour, a puffin on a cliff at golden hour or a lioness in the Serengeti. That space to breathe lets your creativity flourish.
📸 “My first photography workshop was with Kevin Pepper in 2014; Nova Scotia. I knew I made a good decision when he rescued a very expensive lens that I let roll out of my camera bag into a puddle of water at Peggy’s Cove. Kevin’s patience, a great sense of humour and excellent technical and composition tips made for me, an inexperienced landscape photographer at the time, a memorable workshop. Since then, it’s been workshops in Newfoundland, the Yukon twice, Mongolia, Namibia and Paris; all with Kevin. His knowledge of these and other locations and with his local contacts, means a key understanding of the best locations and also the ability to make quick changes due to weather or other conditions. Logistics with regard to accommodation and meals have never disappointed; even a last-minute birthday cake when it came up it was a client’s birthday on a particular day, demonstrates his level of care.” — Kim C., Mongolia, Yukon, Namibia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, France
2. Room to Ride, Room for Gear
Travelling light doesn’t apply to photographers. We get it. You’ve got bodies, lenses, tripods, a bean bag, maybe even a second bag to help you carry it all. With small groups, our goal is to never have you fight for trunk space—or feel crammed between camera bags and strangers.
📸 Incredible! Kevin Pepper and Kevin Lisota knocked this one completely out of the park. From the morning wake-up music and announcements which got everyone excited to the evening recaps with the expedition team which helped set the stage and get us prepared for the next day ... everything was so perfectly organized and so efficiently communicated the entire trip.” — Chellie H., Antarctica, Mongolia, Yukon, Alaska
3. Get More Face Time with the Instructor
In a smaller group, you’re never just one of many. You’re not lost in a crowd or just another name on a clipboard. From the moment you sign up for an Akari Photo Tour, we begin getting to know you—your photography goals, your experience level, your travel style, and even what inspires you behind the lens.
Before you ever step on the plane, we’ll have a conversation. Not a generic welcome email—but a real chat. We want to hear your story, your aspirations, and what you hope to get out of the trip. Are you looking to master wildlife photography? Finally shoot in manual? Build a stronger portfolio? Or maybe just reignite your creative spark? Whatever it is, we want to understand it—so we can help you reach it.
Once we’re in the field, that relationship deepens. You’ll get real one-on-one coaching—the kind that comes from having time and space to connect. We’ll work beside you as you shoot, offer suggestions tailored to your style, and sit with you during editing sessions to provide specific, actionable feedback—not just broad strokes.
In a small group, we don’t teach from the front of a crowded room. We teach at your side, in the moment, when it matters most. And because we’ve already built a relationship before the trip begins, we can offer guidance that’s truly meaningful—designed for you, not just any photographer.
📸 “I have gone on many photography workshops, and this was my first time with Akari. I will definitely go on other Akari tours. Top notch instruction, top notch scouting prior to the start of the workshop to know the animals' behaviors, territories, and best places to photograph them. Very attentive in the field to students' needs, fun, kind, and respectful of the various levels of knowledge and skill of the students in the group. With 3 leaders and 7 students, the quality of instruction and attention to detail was remarkable. And it was fun, what could be better!” - Kathy M., Snowy Owls Workshop
4. Deep-Dive Coaching That Goes Beyond Settings
Yes, you’ll master your camera—how to shoot in manual, dial in the right exposure, and get tack-sharp images. But photography is about so much more than knowing your gear. In a small group setting, you’ll have the opportunity to go beyond the basics and explore the art of photography.
We dive into storytelling—how to build emotion and narrative into your frame, making each image feel like a scene from a larger journey. You’ll learn the subtle power of composition: where to place your subject, how to balance elements, and how to use leading lines, negative space, and framing to guide your viewer’s eye.
We’ll study how light behaves—from the golden hour’s warm glow to the moody shadows of a stormy sky—so you can anticipate, adapt, and use light as your creative ally. And we’ll encourage the development of your creative vision, helping you discover your personal style and voice as a photographer.
This kind of coaching is rarely possible in large tours—but in our intimate workshops, it’s part of every day in the field and every image review. You’ll leave not just with better photos—but with the tools and confidence to create compelling visual stories wherever your lens takes you.
📸 “I was really very pleasantly surprised with the amount of time and effort that he put into ensuring that each individual’s requests/wants/needs were fulfilled each day. It was a real pleasure traveling with him and learning from him.” — Mike C., Mongolia, Namibia, Snow Leopards
5. Strangers Become Friends (Sometimes Lifelong)
There’s something about small group travel that builds camaraderie fast. Shared passions, shared meals, shared epic sunrises—it all leads to more connection, collaboration, and, often, real friendships that last well beyond the trip.
📸 The Most Fun I Have Ever Had” — Barbara B, - Newfoundland
6. Flexible Itineraries = Better Photos
One of the greatest luxuries of a small group workshop is the ability to be spontaneous—to follow the light instead of the schedule. When you're not beholden to a rigid itinerary built for a dozen or more people, you can respond to what really matters for photography: timing, conditions, and creative instinct.
If the sky is promising a fiery sunrise, we can head out early and take full advantage. If the clouds roll in and offer moody drama over a mountain range, we can linger longer and capture the atmosphere. If we find a location that simply begs for a second shoot, we can return the next day—because we’re not rushing to tick boxes on a checklist.
This kind of flexibility is where magic happens. Some of the most memorable images are born from last-minute decisions—a turn down a dirt road, an unscheduled stop by a misty lake, or a return to a spot that looked “just okay” the first time but transforms into something spectacular with the right light.
Small group tours give us the freedom to adapt to the moment, which is what serious photography requires. We let the light, weather, and creative energy guide us—not a rigid timeline built for a crowd.
📸 I came home from all my trips with award-winning photos.” — Steve D., Newfoundland, Yukon, Namibia, Tanzania
7. Access to Hidden Gems (And Local Magic)
Smaller groups can go where big ones can’t—literally. When you’re not part of a large convoy, the world opens up in ways that most travelers never experience.
Imagine winding your way up a narrow mountain pass that’s inaccessible to tour buses, or ducking into an alleyway in a historic city to find the perfect pocket of afternoon light. Small groups give us the freedom to chase the light, follow our curiosity, and explore places that are off-limits to the typical crowd.
We often visit remote villages where large groups would feel intrusive—but where a small handful of respectful photographers is welcomed like family. In wildlife-rich areas, we gain access to private blinds and restricted zones, giving you front-row seats to behavior few people ever get to witness, let alone photograph.
And sometimes, it’s not about going far—it’s about being nimble. We can pull over at a moment’s notice when the sky explodes with color, or spend an unplanned hour with a local artisan because something about their story deserves to be told through your lens.
With fewer people, logistics are easier, spontaneity is possible, and authentic moments are far more likely to unfold. These are the stories that stick with you—and the images that set your portfolio apart.
📸 “He is incredibly familiar with the places he leads tours. So he knows all the good spots to go to get the photos you want.”— Trisha G., Yukon and Mongolia
The Bottom Line? Smaller groups mean bigger rewards.
You’ll photograph more. Learn more. Laugh more. And return home not just with better images—but with better stories, sharper skills, and new friendships forged in adventure.
If you're ready to slow down, go deeper, and truly grow as a photographer, join us on a small group photo tour. We’ll save you a seat—just don’t forget your camera.