Hemmings Photo Tours

I cannot rate my experience with Hemmings' Photo Tours more highly. I have participated in as many as 20 photography workshops with David and Jen Hemmings, including birding trips to Costa Rica and Trinidad Tobago, and brown bear photography workshops to Alaska and northern British Columbia. I have another brown bear photography workshops booked with David and Jen this year (2022) and the Birds of Churchill booked for the Spring of 2023. I keep returning to David's workshops because they are delightful, caring people who ensure that everyone has an awesome time. They take care of every detail, including picking you up at the airport or hotel and ensuring delicious food that caters to one's dietary needs. David personally leads the workshops and has established excellent working relationships with the local guides. David's workshops and fun and rewarding.

I had a ten out of ten experience with David's wildlife workshop. He handed me incredible photos on a silver platter. Highly recommended. Incredible photos! I am going back!

I was on the photo tour to Newfoundland. David is a superb photography instructor. He is attentive to the needs and questions of the photographers on the tour. We had discussions about camera technical settings, best positioning for specific types of photos (birds-in-flight, roosting birds, scenery, etc.), having a plan for your images, and many other topics. I learned from David and others on the tours. I definitely plan to attend more photo tours with David in the future.

I’m not concerned about David baiting birds but disturbed by bait and switch tactics in the marketing of his services. He advertises workshops led by a world renowned photographer (himself) and charges top dollar for the privilege of attending.Several months prior to our scheduled workshop (after accepting our deposit) an email arrived that (inadvertently?) listed someone else as the workshop leader. Two months later (a few weeks before the actual workshop) another email arrived describing David’s last minute inability to attend the workshop due a sudden personal issue….A little investigation revealed that he only attended one of several scheduled workshops at the particular location the previous year and apparently had no plans to attend any during the current season.David may be one of the best workshop leaders out there, but the groups who attend this location will never know unless they pay top dollar again and take their chances that he will actually show up and conduct the workshop as advertised.My advice is to look elsewhere for a wildlife photography workshop experience unless you are guaranteed to experience the workshop as advertised. Wildlife may not be predictable, but fulfilling a company’s advertised offering should be.

I am getting ready to do two additional photo tours with David later this year. I have already done the Polar Bears and the Costa Rica Hummingbirds and they were fantastic. I have been with many professional photographers and believe me David is of the highest standard. Not only does he care about the environment and the animals and birds you are trying to capture; he is vocal about making sure that you give respect and space so as not to stress the animals/birds out and put anyone or any animal in harms way. He is also someone who cares about the participants on his workshops. He works closely with you checking your images and giving suggestions regarding how to change your location to get a better shot.To those who rated David a 1 - I will say that I am appalled. First, David uses only the natural food that the Gray Owls eat to begin with so that is a ridiculous statement. Second, I would ask whether any of you have killed an ant, spider, moth, wasp, bee or other creature in your life. I would also say that you likely use products in your home and for your personal hygiene that have had animals involved in testing or they are part of the products you use.Shame on you for trying to disparage such a professional, kind individual.

David Hemmings is by far my favorite photography guide. I travel for photography a lot with many different companies and I always come back to Davids trips. My most recent trip with him was to Costa Rica last fall and it was amazing. I have been on at least a half dozen other trips with David and have two more planned later this year. His lodge in British Columbia is very nice. He and his wife are exceptional hosts there. I would not hesitate to recommend Hemmings Photo Tours to anyone.

My wife and I have traveled with David Hemmings and his Photo Tour Company several times and found him to be knowledgeable, reliable and helpful regarding all aspects of a photo tour. David was always well prepared and his photography expertise is considerable. You will be a better photographer after a trip with David. For those who want to get the most out of a photo tour, I highly recommend David Hemmings. My wife and I will next travel to Colombia with David in 2023.

I had such a fun time with David & Jen Hemmings in May 2023. Staying at their wonderful homely property, exploring the lake and photographing the spring birds of the Chilcotin was a fantastic experience. An abundance of fresh air, I had the best sleep in a very comfy bed. Tasty, healthy meals, wonderful company and lots of laughs. I didn't want to leave!

David is an excellent tour guide. I attended a polar bear workshop with him. His access to world class facilities and locations is incredible! As a teacher, he taught me how to frame and process a shot under very difficult lighting, color and environmental circumstances. Thank you David for a trip of a lifetime!!!

I am pleased to provide Hemmings Photo Tours with the highest rating. I have attended 15 photography workshops conducted by Hemmings Photo Tours, including birding trips to Costa Rica, Trinidad/Tobago, and Churchill Manitoba. I have participated in five of David Hemmings Bear trips to Alaska and British Columbia. I also participated in a wolf photography trip in northern Ontario. I have always come away from these trips with wonderful photos and wonderful memories. I have made lifelong friendships with workshop participants, and have always found David Hemmings to be an excellent instructor, concerned that everyone has a positive experience, provided excellent accommodation and food, and always goes above and beyond my expectations.