All safaris are hands on shooting safaris, with the exception of Nuts & Bolts. Shooting safaris begin with a short discussion on composition and lighting; some safaris may include a discussion on technical issues specific to that particular safari. Participants are then given a photo assignments. The instructor will give feedback and direction on how to improve each participant's photographs.

Nuts & Bolts is a photography class designed to help participants better understand the inner workings of their camera and photography in general. This is not a shooting safari.

All of our photo safaris are kept small to insure that everyone has a chance to get their questions answered.

1. Your camera of course; digital camera is a MUST - be it point & shoot, D-SLR, or smartphone; you may also rent a camera from us.
2. Plenty of memory cards (formatted and ready to go); always carry a backup.
3. Extra batteries for your camera and flash (if you have one).
4. If you have a mini tripod like a “gorillapod” that "may" be helpful.
5. Your camera’s manual may be helpful.
6. Small pocket size note pad and pen.
7. Most importantly, bring your learning hats.

Bring only what you need. Unless otherwise stated DO NOT bring any extra equipment such as full size tripods, luggage or extra bags. The less you carry the more you will get out of your Photo Safari experience!

Yes. NYC Photo Safari now offers camera rentals. You may rent a Canon 7D (with 15-85 mm lens) $35 or a 16 megapixel point and shoot camera (24mm-100mm lens) $20. Your camera will be brought to your Safari by your instructor. Camera Rentals will be for the duration of your Safari only. Your rental fee also includes the cost of a memory card which you may take with you upon completion of your safari. Photo Safaris.

Our photo safari guides are working Professional photographers who have a passion for photography and teaching - rather than tour guides. Our goal is to help you take home great pictures of New York AND skills that last a lifetime! Although our photo tours take place in historically significant locations; although they are a great way to experience Manhattan, they are photography workshops rather than a substitute for a guided walking tour.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced hobbyist, whether you have a simple point and shoot or a DSLR, if you want to improve your photography skills you should try a photo safari. Choose a tour that best suites you: Photo Safari Offerings.

Only paid registrants may attend Photo Safaris. Please do not register spouses, friends, children, etc. who are not interested in photography. These are photography workshops covering many technical aspects of photography. We keep our photo tour groups very small to make sure that everyone receives adequate attention.

Photo safaris are family friendly, however all participants under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Those age 14+ may participate a photo tour at a $35 discount with a fully paid registered adult (please call for discount code). For those between the ages of 8 and 13 we offer Mommy/Daddy & Me photo safari. New York City Photo Safari also offers Candid Kids photography workshops for parents wanting to learn how to best photograph their babies and toddlers.

For this photo tour you will need a full size tripod - NOT just a table top tripod (or Gorillapod )- for this photography class. It would be best if your tripod is able to extend to about 5-7 feet. Although a studio tripod is not necessary, the sturdier and heavier the tripod the better. You may also rent a tripod from us during registration. It is also useful, but not essential to have a cable release or a infrared trigger. For information on how to choose a tripod please look at these blog postings:

Camera Tip #2: Pan tilt or Ball head?

Camera Tip #3: Leg Locks – Choosing a tripod

To register for our photo tour go to the description page, simply scroll to the photo safari of interest, click on "Details/Register", and add the appropriate date to your cart. Please note all reservations must be made by midnight prior to the day of your photo tour. If you are having trouble with your registration please contact us at info@newyorkcityphotosafari.com or call toll free: 1-888-799-6078

What about cancellations and rescheduling? Our workshops are kept very small (max. 8 participants) which means not only do we usually sell out but we often turn away customers. So if someone cancels at the last minute we lose money. This is a summary of our photo safari cancellation and rescheduling policy and may be changed without notice at anytime (complete NYC Photo Safari Terms & Conditions):

If you need to cancel: You must cancel 48 hours or more prior to the start of your photo safari in writing or by phone (718-268-9634) to receive a full refund. If you cancel inside 48 hours of the start of your photo safari, you will be entitled to a refund minus a 25% cancellation fee per photo safari booked. If you are a "no show" (i.e. you did not contact us prior to the start of your photo tour and did not attend) you are not entitled to a refund; you may however reschedule your photo safari by paying a $50 extension fee. NYC Photo Safari is not responsible for cancellations due to Participant’s medical emergency, acts of God or traffic delays, etc. however exceptions may be made on a case by case basis at NYCPS’s discretion. *Please note the above policy does not apply to NYC: the UPshot! please see below.

If you need to reschedule: You may reschedule your Safari at no additional cost by contacting us more than 48 hours prior to the start of your safari by writing or by calling (718-268-9634). If you reschedule inside 48 hours of the start of your Safari, there will be a 25% change fee per Safari booked. If you are a "no show" (ie. you did not contact us prior to the start of your safari and did not attend) you are not entitled to a refund; you may however reschedule your Safari by paying a $50 extension fee per registrant. NYCPS is not responsible for "no shows" due to Participant’s medical emergency, acts of God or traffic delays, etc. however exceptions may be made on a case by case basis at NYCPS’s discretion. *Please note the above policy does not apply to NYC: the UPshot! which requires 5 days notice to reschedule without a fee.

If NYCPS cancels or reschedules: Although we make every effort to conduct our events as scheduled, sometimes it is necessary to reschedule or cancel a Safari. Any Safari canceled by NYCPS for any reason other than inclement weather shall be fully refunded to the Participant; NYCPS cancellations due to severe and unsafe weather conditions may be rescheduled by participant for any date available on the calendar. In the event of a cancellation or location change we will try our best to give you as much advance notice as possible.

If NYCPS changes the location: From time to time it may be necessary for us to change the location of a Safari due to severe weather forecasts or other unexpected city events (i.e. protests, transit strikes, street closures, etc.). Location change may include moving a Safari indoors or outdoors. We will try our best to give you as much advance notice as possible in the event of a Safari location change. No refunds will be made due to a location change; participants may reschedule per the rules stated above.

NYC: the UPshot!: Cancellation and rescheduling policies above do not apply to NYC: the UPshot! To cancel or reschedule this Photo Tour you must notify us 3 days or more prior to the start of your Photo Safari to qualify for a full refund. If you cancel inside 3 Days (or 72 hours) of the start of your Photo Safari, you will be entitled to a refund minus a 25% cancellation fee per Photo Safari booked. If you are a "no show" (i.e. you did not contact us prior to the start of your photo safari and did not attend) you are not entitled to any refund; you may however reschedule your photo tour by paying a $50 extension fee.

Safaris are rain or shine. As the weather is often unpredictable, our instructors have learned how to make the best of seemingly difficult situations. Photo Tour itineraries may be changed to adjust for inclement weather. Please keep your cell phones on so we may contact you in the event of a change.

Please plan to arrive about 10-15 minutes before the photo tour's scheduled start time. This will allow for any unforeseen NYC traffic/train delays, etc. Once you register, you will receive your instructor's mobile number. Please keep it handy. If you do get lost please call your instructor, who will point you in the right direction.

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes including comfortable walking shoes for your photo tour. There will be lots of walking & standing on concrete so be sure not to wear heels or anything that might give you discomfort. Since most photo safaris are held outdoors please dress for the weather. (Summers in NYC are very hot, while winters are very cold; please check the forecast at www.weather.com)

For shooting safaris you can anticipate walking anywhere from ½ to 3 miles depending on the photo tour. Most or all of the the walking will be on hard concrete (it is NYC!). Each Participant should be in good physical condition before attempting to participate in a photo tour. A few of our photo workshops are wheel chair accessible; look for this symbol: . (please see NYC Photo Safari's Terms & Conditions)

Each participant should bring along their own digital camera to the safari. Although one camera to share between parent and child should be fine, it's not ideal. Each child should be using a digital point and shoot but parents can feel free to use either a point and shoot or DSLR for this photo class.

Yes, you are required to have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera for Candid Kids (how to photograph your toddlers). Photographing small children and toddlers is much like photographing sports. The best way to capture the action is to use a DSLR; unfortunately, point and shoot cameras do not respond quickly enough.