Home »
New Mexico Custom Photo Tours with Michael DeYoung
Custom Full-Day and Multi-Day Private Photo Tours in New Mexico
Turn dreams into reality with an exclusive, full service private photo tour in New Mexico – the Land of Enchantment
New Mexico’s diverse natural landscapes, turquoise blue skies, and the magical light make it a fantastic photo destination. From historical adobe architecture, wave-like dunes of gypsum sand at White Sands National Park, abundant winter migratory snow geese and sandhill cranes, and the enchanted town of Taos – home to a world-class ski resort, a World Heritage Site, and one of the most photographed and iconic churches, there is plenty of variety to satisfy the intrepid travel and landscape photographer.
Got a group of photo friends, a partner or spouse, or just yourself and want to craft your own unique tour? You’ve come to the right place! With our guiding and logistics expertise we create and guide a unique New Mexican photography trip just for you.
How do I start? The hardest part is just checking our availability. Start here! (Inquire now)
Once you’ve verified available dates, we get to work to make your tour the best it can be by preparing an itinerary and get your approval on the plan. Upon approval, a 50% deposit of the trip cost is due to secure the date(s) and we begin making the reservations. The final balance is due 90 days prior to tour start date.
THE ACTIVE PHOTO TOUR ADVANTAGE
Full service tour with a team, not just a guide. Michael and Lauri have worked together for 30 years. We combine our logistics experience with commercial photo productions as well as for our many self-supported wilderness trips, to create a one of a kind photo tour for you and will suggest itineraries that maximize the photo experience – all with your approval – based on your ideas and preferences. We arrange accommodations and provide all ground transportation, as well as book photo-driven excursions during the tour. Prior to the trip we will provide comprehensive equipment and clothing suggestions to optimize your experience in New Mexico.
Michael is a natural lighting master, a former meteorologist and patient teacher who knows how and where to find the best light. Known for being a patient teacher, sharing weather and light expertise, and having extensive knowledge and experience in wilderness travel, Michael can help you capture the best of New Mexico including landscape, historic architecture, travel, bird, and adventure photography. We work with all skill levels and outdoor photography interests from globe trotting seasoned shooters to “just took my first camera out of the box” and everything in between.
Sharing over 15 years of New Mexico professional knowledge and expertise with you.
Michael DeYoung is an award-winning adventure, lifestyle and landscape photographer creating imagery for stock libraries and commercial clients – primarily in the travel/tourism industry.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
“Our main focus with our clients is to provide the highest quality Alaskan experience possible in addition to helping capture the best possible imagery. We support local businesses and sustainably showcase the places we love. We love to help people grow as photographers, building skills, confidence, and creative vision. We strive to awaken that outdoor photography passion in all of us.”
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
“In preparation for an international adventure trip I hired Michael for a one day private class. In the one day of instruction Michael showed me the value of shooting in manual mode, depth of field, lighting and use of a tripod. I was so impressed with his instruction I signed up for his Zion Class, which was outstanding. I highly recommend Michael as an instructor and encourage anyone from beginner to pro to take one of Michael’s classes. “
– Jack G.
“I booked a private tour with Michael to explore the photo shooting opportunities in the Taos and Santa Fe areas. Awesome. Both the scenery and Michael’s outstanding instruction were both superb.”
– Leslie D.
READ MORE REVIEWS
Sunset over Rio Grande Gorge & Sangre de Cristo Mountains – Taos, NM.
WHEN: Nov – Feb & Apr – May
Capture the natural and cultural riches of Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch, and Plaza Blanca.
WHEN: Nov – Feb & Apr – May
Thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese winter in Bosque del Apache.
WHEN: Dec – Jan
Photograph the unique gypsum sand at White Sands National Park
WHEN: Nov – Feb & Apr – May
DAILY GUIDE FEE: $800/day 1-2 people; $900/day 3-4 people
INCLUDED IN DAILY GUIDE FEE:
✓ Michael & Lauri as your guides and drivers
✓ Personalized photography instruction
✓ Ground transportation from and return to Taos
✓ Pre-tour logistics including developing the itinerary and making reservations for lodging, and other guided excursions
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES (NOT INCLUDED IN DAILY GUIDE FEE):
✓ Your Meals (pay as you go)
✓ Lodging for your group and Michael & Lauri’s. (No lodging expenses for Michael & Lauri while staying in Taos.) **
✓ Fuel **
✓ Rental vehicle for more than 3 participants **
✓ Entrance and locations fees **
✓ Third-party guide and off highway transportation fees **
** These expenses will be reflected in the total estimate of the tour.
HOW TO BOOK :
✓ Tell us your interests and dates on the BOOKING REQUEST FORM located at the bottom of this page. (Navigate to form now)
✓ We verify our availability. If we’re not available, we’ll provide alternative dates to see if they work with your schedule.
✓ With the information you provide on the booking request form and a separate questionnaire we send you, we will propose an itinerary of subjects and locations based on your preferences.
✓ Upon your approval of the itinerary, 50% of the tour quote is due so we can start reserving lodging, third-party vendors, and other expenses related to your trip. Final payment is due 90 days prior to tour start date.
POLICIES:
PAYMENT TERMS:
Unless otherwise agreed, the following payment schedule applies at time of booking:
If Booking more than 120 days in advance: A non-refundable deposit of $800 (or the equivalent of one day quoted guide fee) is required to reserve the dates. This can be paid via Venmo or a credit card via PayPal. This covers our time of researching and creating reservations for the custom tour and is included in the total cost of the tour. Final payment of the remaining balance is due in January of the year the tour takes place.
B: If Booking less than 120 days in advance: 100% of the quoted price is due at time of booking to be paid as follows: A non-refundable deposit of $800 (or the equivalent of one day quoted guide fee) payable via Venmo or a credit card via PayPal, AND the remaining balance paid via check, Venmo, wire transfer, or PayPal due on the same day.
Deposits and Final Balance payments can be made by credit card (via PayPal), Venmo, check, or other wire transfer app. We accept credit card via PayPal for the deposit at no charge to you. If you wish to pay the FINAL BALANCE by PayPal, a 3% transaction fee/surcharge will be added to the quote for the final balance.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made prior to 120 days of tour's start date will receive a refund of all amounts paid to date except for the non-refundable deposit and any non-refundable deposits made to third-party vendors for the additional excursions specific to your itinerary.
Refunds for cancellations made within 120 days of the tour's start date are not guaranteed. If we can fill the space with another booking, we will refund the amount paid to date minus the initial non-refundable deposit and any non-refundable deposits made to third-party vendors for the additional excursions specific to your itinerary.
Cancellations made within 120 days of the tour's start date where we CANNOT fill the space will forfeit 100% of our guide fees. We attempt to get a refund from all vendors who have a favorable refund policy and will return these amounts to you once all vendor refunds have been processed.
In the event you are unable to make your initial date, we will work with you to reschedule without forfeiture of your non-refundable deposit and as much of the payments made to secure the additional venues. We understand rescheduling is not always possible due to both parties' schedules. For that reason, we strongly recommend Trip Insurance.
TRIP INSURANCE
Active Photo Tours and DeYoung Photo Workshops, LLC are not responsible for reimbursement of non-refundable airline tickets or lodging arrangements you made in the event of you or anyone in your group had to cancel. You may want to invest in trip insurance to cover these circumstances. We highly suggest TravelGuard® or similar travel insurance policies to assist you in case of last minute plan changes and emergencies.
Led by photography guides based in Taos and with over 15 years experience photographing Taos and Northern New Mexico
BOOKING REQUEST FORM
DeYoung Active Photo Tours
(A division of DeYoung Photo Workshops, LLC)