Photography tours in Alaska...How much would you pay?

[ak_powder_monkey]

I'm thinking of starting a summer bussiness where I take photographers off the beaten path to the good the bad and the ugly (but oddly photogenic) parts of alaska and tailor each days tours to cater to each clients photographic goals, fitness leval, and what they want to see. I'd offer tours from quick downtown/nature walking tours catoring to cruise ship passengers to week long float and back packing trips. So I'm doing some market research! It would be helpful if you could answer these questions!

How much would you pay for a 4 hour long tour with at least 3 hours out of the car walking around getting tips on camera/ lens use (if you are a newby) of areas of interest around Anchorage (large city with lots ounique angles, landscapes and nature) during midday?

How much would you pay for a "Middnight Sun Tour" which capitlizes on the very long magic hour in Anchorage (actually about 6 hours) involving a bit more driving, and very good landscape photography opportunites?

How much would you pay for a full day Nature photography tour in the area surrounding Anchorage (exact locations and driving times would vary depending on light conditions of the day, your fitness leval ie if you want to climb mountains or not, and what you want to focus in your veiwing)?

How much would you pay for a "Photo Shuttle" which would bring you from say seward to anchorage or anchorage to denali with stops at interesting and unique places without interpertive sings and tour busses (and the ones with tour busses if you like people photography )

How much would you pay for an hour long "Downtown Tour" with people watching, landscapes, and even some urban wildlife?

Would you be more likely or less likely to use my (hypothetical) company if we had lenses for you to borrow?

Would you be more likely or less likely to use my company if we also had fishing trips?

Thanks in advance for your responses! I'm shooting for a 2008 start date, if anyone is interested in doing some "shakedown tours" in May or June 2007 let me know, they will be expenses only (free + gas money) and maybe a bit of photographic barter (like velvia!) so I don't have to get licsences and stuff by may (or at all if the tours suck and everyone hates them)

[cgratti]

I think fishing trips would only benefit your income. As for day trips, it hard to say without more detail of what is offered for each specific trip. Meals, Drinks, any transportation?
I don't think you can really base the cost off of any travel time, just shooting time. I wouldnt pay more than $75/hr for shooting time, and for $75/hr I would expect some GREAT scenery or wildlife to photograph.

[rhys]

What about Kodiac bears etc....

[GPR1]

Wow, that's a lot of choices. For me personally, I would only go with someone whose work I could see and respect, so you need a website or storefront where people can view, and you need good enough work to compell me.

After that, the big question is whether this is a one-on-one, small group, or large group. I probably wouldn't pay enough for one-on-one; my upper cost limit might be $200. However, in a group of 4-6 (one van load) I would probably be willing to pay $100 if I really thought you could take me to some great places. I likely would not be interested in a larger group.

During peak season you might tailor trips to skill level, eg. "Morning trip is for relatively inexperienced photographers who want some great opportunities and some basic coaching on light and composition. Evening trip is for moderate to experienced photographers will all kinds of gear, and will focus on making unique images." Of course, you always have the special trips for people with more money or want multiple day hikes, etc.

That may not be the info you wanted, but that's where my mind went.

Good luck,

Greg

[BradT0517]

Well I went to Alaska over the summer of 2006 and it was amazing the photo in my avatar is from hanging off the edge of the Alaska Railroad Corp Train. As for suggestions I would think if you are to offer lenses offer cameras too. Make a Web site of sample photos along the trip. As for fishing and picture taking I dont think it would work together as people would want to stay and fish where others would want to hurry and get to the next photo spot.

[BradT0517]

Originally Posted by GPR1

During peak season you might tailor trips to skill level, eg. "Morning trip is for relatively inexperienced photographers who want some great opportunities and some basic coaching on light and composition. Evening trip is for moderate to experienced photographers will all kinds of gear, and will focus on making unique images." Of course, you always have the special trips for people with more money or want multiple day hikes, etc

Not sure if I really agree with this idea because some pros would want to go in the morning to get sunrise shots and some would want to get actions shots mid day. Then the ametures wouldn't want to get up early in the morning and some would.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Originally Posted by BradT0517

Not sure if I really agree with this idea because some pros would want to go in the morning to get sunrise shots and some would want to get actions shots mid day. Then the ametures wouldn't want to get up early in the morning and some would.

Actually the sunrises in the Alaskan summer are sunsets, midday in june is about 4 pm, those come in the midnight sun special. I think all tours would be exclusive that means it would be you and me, or you your buddy and me.

Thanks for the responses so far!

[ak_powder_monkey]

Originally Posted by rhys

What about Kodiac bears etc....

No Kodiak bear in Anchorage, you'd have to go to Kodiak to see them, the best bet used to be the city dump. Its my philosphy to avoid bears when hiking and such, I don't like shooting them.

[BradT0517]

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

No Kodiak bear in Anchorage, you'd have to go to Kodiak to see them, the best bet used to be the city dump. Its my philosphy to avoid bears when hiking and such, I don't like shooting them.

I was hiking down from the top of the Hardings Ice field in Seward and two grizzly cub pass infront of me and the mom was 6 feet from me.

[BradT0517]

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

Actually the sunrises in the Alaskan summer are sunsets, midday in june is about 4 pm, those come in the midnight sun special. I think all tours would be exclusive that means it would be you and me, or you your buddy and me.

Thanks for the responses so far!

O yea I forgot about the whole 22 hours of day light.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Originally Posted by BradT0517

I was hiking down from the top of the Hardings Ice field in Seward and two grizzly cub pass infront of me and the mom was 6 feet from me.

Wow! Blackies I don't much care about they usually run when you charge them but a momma grizzly = uber sketch in close quarters. I totally dig the avatar BTW. if only us locals had a reason to ride the train....

Anyway if a bear wants to wonder by while we are sitting still being quiet GREAT but if we are hiking singletrack, I'm making noise!

If you are gonna be in the Anchorage area in June or May PM me a website would be much better if I could buy some customer images!

[Becca]

I had signed up for a photography excursion on the last cruise I took (but it got cancelled for lack of interest ) I think the price was $65 and I'm sure the cruise company got a portion of that. I didn't need any photography advice, but I figured a local photographer would know where the interesting photography sites would be. I think its a great idea! I'm not sure how much I would pay for the other trips as I haven't really done any research on them, but you might be able to get some idea from the backs of the photography magazines where they advertise these things.