Photography Trek - Snowdonia

Two day, fully guided photographic trek in the mountains of Snowdonia with a wild camp overnight to allow us to capture sunrise and sunset.

We will head out into these stunning, rugged mountains for 2 days of walking to a range of unique locations. By wild camping overnight we will be able to fully immerse ourselves in the mountain environment and be able to capture the beauty of our surroundings during the golden hours of dusk and sunrise. As we will be in a group of 2-3 people we can respond to any changes in light and desires of the group to capture the images you want to get.

We are passionate about the outdoors and photography and by focusing on what you want to get out of a trip to the mountains we aim to maximise your enjoyment and photographic experience. Each trip is all about spending time in carefully researched ‘hidden’ locations and in doing so the chances of getting the great shots increases. We’ll only move on when you’re ready and can even get a brew on or put up some shelter whilst we’re waiting for the perfect light.

The cost of our treks includes hire and porterage of camping gear as required, customized planning of your route and guiding to a number of locations.

Here are some of the questions that might be on your mind.

FAQ’s

1) Do I need to own and carry all my gear for the trip?

Gear you can borrow if required

Tents, sleeping bag and sleep mats, insulated jackets, waterproofs, waterproof bags, rucksacks. I do have a limited range of sizes but all the gear is of excellent quality.

Gear you will need to bring

Own worn in boots, camera equipment which may include a lightweight tripod, snacks and drinks.

You will typically carry your own personal walking and camera gear but I can carry the majority of the camping gear (tents, stove etc).

2) Bad weather stops play

As you’ll be well aware it can rain a lot in the UK mountains but this doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t go out capturing some great shots. Showery weather and breaking moody clouds can produce dramatic light. Being flexible we can always change to lower level locations including woodlands and specific coastal spots. By carrying camping gear we can always pitch up to get some shelter and wait for the weather to improve. However, it can get bad enough to not make it much fun or even dangerous to go outside for a prolonged period of time and in such cases or with a particularly bad forecast we can re-arrange a visit if all parties are in agreement. If this is the case no additional charges will be made. Similarly there might be unforeseen circumstances that require us to cancel the trip at relatively short notice. In such cases a mutually agreeable alternative will be offered at no extra cost.

3) Why bother wild camping and having to carry all your heavy equipment up a mountain?

First of all it is best to go through all the gear you intend to take and decide what you really need. You will need enough to be comfortable to allow you to get the best images possible but there is always a compromise. I can carry the main camping equipment but you will need to carry your own personal effects.

Secondly, you will hopefully see that by camping out you get to spend more time out on the hills and at some of the most magical times when most people are heading down for the night.

4) What do you do between sunrise and sunset?

Whilst the ‘golden hours’ offer some of the best light for photography the daylight hours still give incredible opportunities for capturing stunning images. We aim to visit a number of photo opportunities whilst walking between our start point and wild campsite depending on the weather and subsequent light. By carefully planning the route we get to visit a range of vistas be they mountain, lake or valley views for example.

5) What sort of mileage will we cover and how fit do I need to be?

Obviously this depends on how far you want to go and how wild you want your wild camp to be. As a wild camp needs to be above the last farm boundary and well away from civilisation it will generally require some altitude gain and at least a few miles to reach a suitable spot. However, we can take our time capturing photographs on the way and enjoy the journey of getting to our planned destination for the night. Being ‘hill fit’ obviously helps but these trips are all about what you want to get out of them so customising them to make them longer or shorter with more or less climbing is not a problem.

6) What if I have a medical condition?

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you might have at the time of booking. This information will obviously remain confidential and will help us to tailor our trip to suit your requirements and ensure we all stay safe out in the hills.

Some more about wild camping

Wild camping is essentially the act of camping away from civilisation be that roads, farm boundaries, buildings or official campsites.

Although wild camping does require some element of hardship - there is a limit to what you can carry, modern technology and by allowing your guide to carry most of the camping gear means it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Furthermore, there’s an almost childish, Christmas Day, excitement when you wake up in a tent on the hills. The senses come alive – what can I hear? – no rain or wind, is it light? then clamber to the door, unzip the tent and peer out for the first time. By simplifying your outdoor experience and ‘getting away from it all’ it allows you focus on what you are doing and immerse yourself in the moment. Wild camping really does enable you to tune into your surroundings which in turn enables you to capture better images.

Itinerary

As much as possible before we meet we will look at your goals, the weather and seasons, as well as previous hillwalking experience to create the best possible trip.

The trip for real starts when we meet up in the morning on location. Pre-trip camping either in our great VW camper or, especially in the summer months, an additional wildcamp can be incorporated before the trip at a small additional cost.

Discuss final weather forecast and adjust plans accordingly. Get packed up and head out into the hills.

Spend time in a range of locations (both planned and responding to the best light) capturing images before heading to a suitable vantage point for our wild camp and hopefully enjoy the sunset/sunrise experience. I will act as the main camping gear carrier and can set up camp and act as cook as required.

Enjoy an evening capturing the last light of the day watching how the hills change as day turns to night.

Enjoy a hot al fresco supper after which any daylight or moonlight can be enjoyed for some last shutter action of the day before heading to your tent for the night.

You might want to get up early for sunrise but being camped out on location means you hardly have to roll out of bed to see what’s on offer.

After breakfast and breaking camp we can head off further into the hills for some more photo opportunities or choose a leisurely route back to civilisation taking in more points of interest.

If wild camping really isn’t your thing then we can offer the use of our modern VW campervan for a semi-wild camping experience which still allows easy access to some stunning locations.

If camping isn’t your thing either but you would still like to explore some wild photographic locations then treks can be arranged around your accommodation requirements. We can pick you up from your local accommodation and pack in two full days in the hills.

If your interests lie more towards hillwalking rather than photography but you don’t necessarily have all the knowledge or equipment for wild camping then Landscape Treks can arrange suitable trips.

If you want to discover new viewpoints for both classic and hidden mountain vistas and camp out amongst this breathtaking scenery then come and join one of our advertised treks.

Experience

Our trips are suitable for photographers of all experience from beginners to professionals who may not have all the mountain knowledge and/or camping and walking gear that they would need for a 2 day wild camping trip. Some level of hill walking experience useful however trips can be customized to meet your requirements in most cases.

If your interests lie more towards hillwalking rather than photography but you don’t necessarily have all the knowledge or equipment for wild camping then Landscape Treks can arrange suitable trips.

Pickup / Dropoff

To be agreed with the clients but usually meet on location at the start of the trek

Included / Excluded

Included

Guiding to several photographic opportunities.

Hire of a range of camping gear e.g. tents, sleeping bags, waterproofs, insulated jackets.

Guide can carry camping gear, cook evening meal and set up camp.

Excluded

Hire of boots/footwear. You will need your own suitable, worn in footwear.

Hire of photographic equipment.

Provision of lunches, breakfasts, snacks and drinks.

This trek does not include a full tutoring session on advanced camera skills. Rather, I aim to get you to some stunning locations to spend some quality time composing shots and responding to the light we find.

Restrictions

Pets welcome but will need to be under your control and sleep in your own tent. Children permitted as long as they are present with parent or guardian who will be fully responsible for them.