Photography Workshops and Tours In Mongolia
Photograph Mongolia with Kevin Pepper — 32 workshops led, friendships built since 2012, and a country I look forward to returning to every year.
There is a moment on every Mongolia workshop when someone lowers their camera and simply takes it all in. An eagle hunter on horseback against the mountains. A line of camels crossing the dunes. A conversation with a family whose way of life brought us halfway around the world.
I first visited Mongolia in 2012 and have now conducted 32 photography workshops here. Over those years, the eagle hunters, camel herders, and local guides I work with have become friends. Those friendships shape the experience I share with you.
Join me to photograph Mongolia’s people and landscapes, learn in the field, and spend time with the families who keep bringing me back.
Top 5 Reasons to Travel With Me To Mongolia on a small group photo tour and workshop!
I have developed relationships with the people in Mongolia that transcend the photographer/subject dynamic. The people we visit are my friends. You will have a more meaningful cultural experience when visiting Mongolia with me.
My local guides have extensive experience leading photo tours because we have run more than 20 tours together. They understand the unique demands of our small group tours. As a result, you enjoy the best photographic experience.
Because of my experience in Mongolia, you can be assured that the complex logistics of our tours are always taken care of. I use upgraded vehicles, travel with a chef and use the best accommodations for comfort and convenience to the shooting locations.
My focus is always on ensuring my small group attendees are getting the photos they want to take. I prioritize your images over mine.
The Mongolian Government has recognized me with a citation in 2018 and the Silk Road Award in 2024 for my decade-plus work in growing Mongolian tourism and chronicling their culture through my articles and photography.
Below, you will find my current photo workshops, a list of my favourite blog posts I have written about Mongolia, and a link to an image gallery of a sample of my favourite Mongolia images.
Photography Workshops in Mongolia
2027 and 2028 Mongolian Photo Workshops
3 departure dates to choose from
We have been invited into the Kazakh Eagle Hunters world because of my ten-plus-year relationship with Eagle Hunters. We will travel to Ölgii province to meet the Eagle Hunters, their families, and their eagles. We'll journey up into the mountains with them and watch as they exercise their birds. After several days of photographing this community, we then travel into the heart of the Gobi Desert to meet the traditional Bactrian camel herders. Bactrian camels are the lifeblood of the Gobi people—used for meat, milk, fur, and transportation.
What You’ll Photograph in Mongolia
Eagle Hunters in Western Mongolia
Our time with Kazakh eagle hunters brings together portraiture, action, and environmental storytelling. A close portrait can reveal the details of a face, clothing, and an eagle’s feathers. A wider composition can show a rider within the landscape and give the photograph a sense of place.
Private photography sessions give us time to consider the light, work on our compositions, and photograph the hunters and their eagles in different settings. I will help you think beyond the first obvious frame and look for photographs that say something about the people you have come to meet.
Camel Herders and the Gobi Desert
At the Khongor sand dunes, we photograph Bactrian camels and their herders at sunrise and sunset. The light can change quickly, turning a scene from soft colour into strong silhouettes and long shadows.
We work with the dunes’ curves, the spacing between camels, and the position of the herders to create photographs with a clear sense of scale. There is also time to look closely at the landscape itself: wind-shaped ridges, patterns in the sand, and the way a shadow changes a composition.
Horseback Archery and Cultural Photography
Horseback archery sessions offer a different challenge: following movement, anticipating a gesture, and choosing the moment when rider, horse, and background come together.
Throughout the workshop, I encourage you to notice the quieter photographs too. Hands adjusting clothing, a conversation between generations, or a pause between sessions can help tell the story of your time in Mongolia.
Your Photographs Come First
My responsibility is to help you make the photographs you came for. That means being available when you are unsure about your settings, helping you find a stronger position, and noticing when someone needs a little more time or guidance.
You do not need to arrive knowing how to photograph an eagle hunter on horseback. We will work through the decisions together, from preparing your camera to recognizing the moment worth waiting for.
During the workshop, we focus on:
Environmental portraits: Use the landscape to tell us something about the person you are photographing.
Action and timing: Work on focus, shutter speed, and anticipation for moving horses, eagles, and camels.
Light and exposure: Adapt as the light changes and make deliberate choices about shadows, highlights, and silhouettes.
Composition: Simplify backgrounds, separate subjects, and build stronger photographs through small changes in position.
Image review and editing: Identify what worked, understand what could improve, and carry those lessons into your next session.
My aim is for you to return with photographs you are proud of and a better understanding of how you made them.
What Travelling in Mongolia Is Like
Mongolia is a large country, and reaching the places we photograph is part of the journey. Expect travel days between regions, early starts for some sessions, and conditions that can change our plans.
In Ulaanbaatar, we stay in a hotel. In the Gobi and western Mongolia, the workshop uses heated ger accommodation that keeps us close to the locations and families we visit. A ger is a traditional round dwelling, and staying in one is part of the experience of travelling here.
Facilities vary between locations. If bathroom arrangements, room sharing, dietary needs, or a particular comfort requirement will influence your decision, contact me before booking. I would rather help you understand the trip properly than leave you wondering what to expect.
Our local team supports the journey, while the full itinerary explains the transport, accommodation, and activities included in your departure.
Testimonials From Guests on my recent MOngolia Tours
“This is among the best photographic tours I have taken both from the point of view of instruction and photographic opportunities. I could not have asked for more in terms of a diversity of photographic challenges—the people of Mongolia and its landscapes are unforgettable.”
“This was one of our favorite tours with plenty to photograph, and it was great for my wife who was a non-photographer. ”
“Kevin is a great person, down to earth, always eager to help and guide. I find his itineraries are different than many photographers. He always prioritizes your ability to take a photo over himself taking a photo.”
“Seeing Mongolia and the Eagle Hunters with Kevin was a dream come true. The photography opportunities were plentiful! It was so much more than I expected. We were able to meet the locals, learn about their culture, and fully experience Mongolia. If you’re going to Mongolia, go with Kevin. His experience with the country and access to the locals are second to none.”
“THIS WAS THE BEST COMBINATION OF TONS OF SHOOTING TIME WITH GREAT SUBJECTS, AND ALSO THE FUN TIME TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE THE COUNTRY.”
“One of the best, if not the best, photography trip I’ve ever done.”
“Kevin’s desire to help us get the shot we wanted was always apparent. Telling us the best way to capture certain scenes was great! His generosity and patience was wonderful.”
“Experiencing Mongolia with Kevin was wonderful! He was able to get us access to people and places very few people could. Kevin made sure we all got amazing photos, even me with only my iPhone.”
“I HAVE NOT TRAVELED WITH KEVIN BEFORE SO DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS TRIP. I WAS REALLY VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT THAT HE PUT INTO INSURING THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL’S REQUESTS/WANTS/NEEDS WERE FULFILLED EACH DAY. IT WAS A REAL PLEASURE TRAVELING WITH HIM AND LEARNING FROM HIM.”
“THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS WORKSHOP IS “EPIC”. THE MEMORIES WILL LAST A LIFETIME.”
“I would travel again with Kevin in a heartbeat. His patience is second to none. He creates endless opportunities to capture photographs others can only dream about and in doing so, I walked away with the most memorable experience and portfolio to share.”
Frequently Asked Questions About My Mongolia Photography Workshops
Will Kevin Pepper lead my workshop?
I am scheduled to lead departures in 2027 and 2028. The instructor team is shown beside each date, and the Akari booking page provides the current guide assignments. If travelling with me is central to your plans, you are welcome to contact me before registering.
How many photographers will be in the group?
The departures listed here have a maximum of six to eight photographers, depending on the date. Instructor numbers also vary by departure, so check the table above when comparing your options.
Do I need to be an experienced photographer?
You do not need to be an expert in portrait or action photography. Familiarity with your camera’s basic controls will help you get more from our time together. If you are unsure whether your experience or equipment is a good fit, contact me and tell me what you use and what you hope to learn.
Are the eagle hunter sessions private, or do we photograph at a festival?
Private sessions with eagle hunters are a central part of this workshop. They allow us to plan photography around our group and spend time working on portraits, action, and landscape compositions. Do not assume a public eagle festival is included; the itinerary for your departure lists the planned activities.
Will we photograph an actual hunt?
This is an eagle hunter photography workshop with arranged sessions. An actual hunt is not a promised part of the itinerary. If your main interest is hunting-season activity, contact me so we can discuss which Mongolia experience best fits what you want to photograph.
How physically demanding is the workshop?
The current itinerary describes most walks during the eagle hunter sessions as less than 300 metres from the vehicle, with minor elevation changes. Some Gobi sessions involve walking up or down low sand dunes, where soft sand can make the effort greater than the distance suggests. Climbing the largest dunes is optional. Contact me about any mobility concern before booking.
What camera equipment should I bring?
A useful starting point is a wide-angle lens for landscapes and environmental portraits, a standard zoom for everyday photography, and a telephoto zoom for tighter compositions and action. Tell me what you already own before buying anything specifically for the trip. We can discuss a practical kit that suits your photography and is manageable to travel with.
Can I bring a non-photographing partner?
A partner interested in Mongolia’s people and landscapes may enjoy the journey, but the schedule is built around photography. That includes early starts and time spent at individual locations. Contact me before booking so we can talk through whether the pace and activities suit both of you.
Are the private theatre sessions included on every departure?
When our workshop dates and the Tumen Ekh Ensemble’s performance schedule align, we have been able to rent a theatre for private photography of the performers. We arranged this on one of our 2026 trips. It is an occasional opportunity, and should only be treated as included when it appears in your departure’s confirmed itinerary.
What is included, and where do I book?
Registration is through Akari Photo Tours. The workshop page lists the full itinerary, current prices, inclusions, exclusions, payment schedule, and cancellation terms. Read those details for your departure, and contact me if you would like help deciding whether the workshop is right for you.
Mongolian articles
If you would like to understand more about the people we photograph and how I approach the work, these articles are a good place to begin.
Kazakh Eagle Hunters of Mongolia
Saving THE PRZEWALSKI'S HORSE from extinction
Taking Portraits of Eagle Hunters
Read the 2026 Mongolia Trip Report Here
Mongolia Photo and Travel Tips
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT THE GOBI
What INspired me to take this photo
History of Eagle Hunting in Mongolia
After 32 workshops, I still look forward to the first morning back in Mongolia. I know there will be familiar faces, new stories, and moments that none of us could have planned.
I would love to introduce you to the people and places that have made this country such an important part of my life. Bring your camera, your curiosity, and the photographs you have been hoping to make. We will work on them together.