Look in the back of any photography magazine and you will see a wide variety of photo tours. Each offers the ultimate photography experience with the best leaders available. But how do you select the right tour for you?

First, you have to decide if you want a photo tour or a photo workshop. The names are often interchanged but there is a difference.

A photo tour gets you to the best photo locations at the best time. The trip concentrates on photography. Often you are paying for a leader who knows the location well during the specific season of the year.

Many photographers take photo tours so they can visit a new area without the hassle of lining-up a driver, hunting for restaurants and hotels, and researching the best sunset locations. Photo tours range from all inclusive packages where every detail is prearranged to bare bones operations where you follow the leader in your own vehicle.

Select a photo tour based on the location you'd like to visit and travel accommodations. There are photo tours that concentrate on spring wildflowers, fall colors, or a specific species migration as well as tours to foreign countries and local destinations. There are photo tours where you stay in four-star hotels and eat the finest food as well as tours where you stay in dorms and eat fast food.

A photo workshop, on the other hand, concentrates on teaching. The workshop leader is prepared to teach you different skills. Some workshops involve shooting in the field followed by classroom training during the day then more shooting in the evening. Photo workshops range from programs in picturesque settings with state-of-the-art classrooms to simple lessons after the supper dishes have been cleared away.

Photographers take photo workshops to learn new skills. A good workshop is a fast way to master a set of skills. Workshops teach a variety of skills including basic photography, high-speed flash, macro photography and digital workflow. Select a photo workshop based on the skill or skills it promises to teach.

Next, select your trip based on the leader. Some leaders are balls of energy who will have you moving 18 hours a day. Others are Zen masters who will ask you to concentrate until the creative energies begin to flow. There are photo leaders who can talk about a wide variety of subjects and others who barely breathe a word. There are leaders who use the latest high-end digital cameras and leaders who only use antique large format cameras.

There are trips and workshops conducted by famous nature photographers and unfamiliar photographers. Some people travel with the famous to simply be near them. Others expect the famous photographer's undivided attention. There are trips with a famous leader but your actual contact will be with an assistant. Sometimes the unfamiliar photo leader is a dynamic teacher or guide who will give you every ounce of their attention.

Select a leader who meets your needs and will give you what you want. If you want to learn new things and expand your photography, go with a leader who is a teacher and produces work you admire. If you're in a rut, look for a leader who shoots in a different style. If you'd like to produce work in the style of a famous photographer, travel with them to watch and learn.

There is nothing wrong with contacting the leader before paying your money. Ask what equipment they use, are they familiar with your equipment, how they teach, what pace they plan for the trip.

It is also okay to let the leader know what your need from the trip. Let the leader know you just bought your first computer and will need extra help. Let the leader know that you're happy with your photography and don't want help or critiquing. Let the leader know you need a nap everyday at a set time. This communication gives the leader a chance to hear your needs and direct you to the best trip. It might be they have a similar group on a later trip where you would feel right at home.

Photo tour or workshop? Specialized or general? Famous leader or not-so-famous leader? Each photo tour or workshop is different. Do some research ahead of time to ensure you find the right trip to maximize your time and investment.

Editor's Comment: Let us know what you think! Please email the Editor to let us know your thoughts.

Kathy Adams Clark is the owner of KAC Productions. She started the company in 1995 after a career in human resources. Her photos have appeared in many places including Birder's World, Ranger Rick, The New York Times and National Geographic Books. Kathy's provided photo/text packages for Bird Watcher's Digest, Birder's World, Texas Parks & Wildlife and other magazines. She's provided corporate photography for Compaq Computer, South Texas Electrical Project, and The Woodlands Corporation. Her years of college teaching experience are put to good use teaching photo classes and workshops. Kathy also leads tours for Voyagers Photo Tour Network. She speaks frequently at association meetings and nature festivals. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the North American Nature Photography Association