FAQ’s

Darran and Julia Leal are the second oldest photo tour and workshop operators in the world. They offer a platform dedicated to providing photography enthusiasts with unique travel opportunities to explore and capture breathtaking images. Darran and Julia have each been working in the travel industry since 1980. They are one of the few licensed tour operators dedicated to photographers. This means they have liability insurance cover to operate tours and workshops world wide and are reviewed each year for compliance.

WPA is a licensed tour operator, endorsed by the Tasmania government through a national accreditation system. Few photo tour and workshop companies can offer this peace of mind.

You can use the following services with WPA:

1. Join one of our small set departure group adventures, listed on this website. This offers you a personal group photo guide, plus beyond Australia’s shores, a local expert guide. We have run over 400 such adventures worldwide since 1989.

2. For the Solo Traveller, direct contact with our professional travel operators worldwide. This means you can achieve very competitive pricing and peace of mind booking services with the same licensed operators that we use. Many of our operators have been used for over a decade and some into 2 decades. Darran can offer further information. See Solo Travel on this website for more details.

3. Or, you can pick the same guided services as in point 1, but book a WPA guide for an exclusive adventure with just yourself, a friend or a small group. You pick the date and target a location and subjects to your interest. Our itinerary experience, the best photo guide and that of our local operators is second to none.

From beginners to advanced photographers, we welcome participants of all skill levels. Our tours and workshops are designed to cater to different levels of experience, with the tutors using their knowledge to manage shoots and optimise event logistics. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your current skills, we have options that suit your needs. We have photographers that have joined our adventures many times with one gentleman achieving over 70 adventures with WPA. Many others are into double figures. Our ambassadors are happy to be contacted for your questions.

We run workshops in Australia, often based at one location, offering a mix of quality shooting time with quality workshops like processing and visualisation. Workshop sessions can be a half day indoors followed by a half day shooting in the field.

Our tours are a holiday where we travel, often enjoying more than one accommodation base, exploring and shooting every day. We offer mini workshops with more emphasis on assistance in the field. Importantly, at all of our events - your photography come first!

Darran Leal has been teaching photography since 1981. He trained under Warren Macris, a Sydney professional photographer. Both of his sons (Pearce & Frazer) have now over a decade of experience each working in the field with Darran. Pearce has a Bachelor of Photography from Photography Studies College in Melbourne. Frazer is a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate. From time to time we invite special guests like Julieanne Kost of Adobe.

The WPA team is passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise. Importantly, unlike many offering photo tours and workshops, they work on the principle that - your photography comes first! Our WPA guides are first aid qualified.

The inclusions and exclusions vary depending on the specific tour or workshop you choose.

Accommodation is included in most packages. For some events we can book pre/post accommodation. However, not for every event.

Meals and transport are included as per itineraries.

We are a tour operator, and as such do not book flights to join an event. However, some events do include domestic and scenic flights as per itineraries.

Please refer to the individual event descriptions for detailed information on what is included in each package. Our office is happy to answer any further questions.

Quality time, in quality locations is our moto. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems off the beaten track, our tours and workshops cover a variety of locations. Importantly, we know these locations well, this maximising your safety and travel interests. Our itineraries offer great information, or you can contact Darran Leal for more details. Whether you're interested in landscape, creative, wildlife, street, or portrait photography, you'll find destinations that cater to your interests.

Our goal in the field is to target locations, spending quality time to take photo’s and enjoy. Most of our walks are just 1-3 kilometres in total. Occasionally, we offer longer walks due to unique subjects like a waterfall or landscape. This information, along with the difficulty of the walk, is offered in our itineraries. For more assistance, you can contact us.

Yes, you can bring a non-photographer companion on our adventures. In fact, we have a proud history of non-photographers loving our adventures as we do not rush and we treat them as part of the group. However, please note that our itineraries are primarily designed for photographers, and the activities will revolve around photography. Non-photographer companions are welcome to join and enjoy all the destinations and activities.

As we offer the same services to everyone, we can’t offer discounts for non-participants, except for the odd domestic workshop.

Equipment requirements may vary depending on the specific tour or workshop. In general, it is recommended to bring your camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or other camera type), a range of lenses suitable for your photography interests, a tripod, and any other accessories you typically use. An equipment list will be provided for each tour or workshop prior to departure. We want to help you, so please contact Darran Leal for further equipment help.

Absolutely! We welcome solo travellers on our tours and workshops. It's a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers and photographers from around the world, share experiences, and learn from each other. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends, travellers who share your passion for photography. We have even had 3 couples meet and get married and another two couples recently announce engagements whilst on a WPA workshop.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all participants travelling internationally and recommended for domestic workshops. It is essential to have appropriate coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, your camera equipment and any unforeseen circumstances.

Simply visit our website and browse through our available options. Once you find a tour or workshop that interests you, click on it to view more details. Follow the instructions to complete the booking process. Or, contact Julia for more assistance.