During my #2025europeantour, I booked a couple of photography focused tours.  The first one I did was in Paris, followed by the one I did in London – I found and booked both on the TripAdvisor website.  Both were similarly advertised as being a private tour with a photographer who knew the best locations and would provide some instruction in taking night photos.  Booking a private tour with a photographer who knows the best locations from which to shoot all the famous landmarks is obviously a great idea.  But I also welcomed having someone with me while I walked around with expensive photography gear photographing in two of Europe’s largest cities.  And given that I don’t often do night photography, the prospect of getting some instruction and tips in this area was also appealing.

 

The tour I booked through TripAdvisor was with a London local business called London Photo Tours and Workshops.  Similar tours were offered by both Aperture Tours and London Photo Tours and Workshops.  It was a difficult decision as to which to use, and while Aperture was a bit less expensive, I opted to go with London Photo Tours and Workshops because I had selected Aperture Tours in Paris.  It turned out to be a great decision.

I met Lou Smith, who along with her husband Ron Smith, actually own London Photo Tours and Workshops.  Lou had me meet her at the London Eye and immediately I found her very personable and well prepared for our tour.  Based on the bio on her website, I’m guessing she’s about 11 years my senior.  Interestingly enough, she was, like myself, a Canon camera shooter, but was still shooting with DSLR technology and had not yet transitioned to mirrorless.  Still, I found her to be an extremely knowledgeable photographer, and quite skilled in an area which I had little experience – night photography.  Here are the photos I got during out session:

I couldn’t have been more pleased with the photos I got during our time together, and I also learned a great deal about London.  If you find yourself visiting London, do reach out to London Photo Tours and Workshops – you won’t regret it.