It seems like if you look around these days, everyone is offering to guide someone/somewhere these days. Of course, many of them offer “cheaper” solutions than those of us who do it for a living. I figured it might be helpful to give you some tips on choosing a bird guide/photography guide so that your dollars are invested wisely.

First, you need to ask them if they have commercial liability insurance and, if you are going to ride in their car, if they have commercial vehicle insurance. This is a major monthly expense for those of us who do it legally. If an insurance company finds out that you were involved in a financial transaction and riding in the “guides” vehicle when the accident occurred, you will have some major issues! Of course they can offer a $150 tour, they have NO business expenses and they are not operating legally.

Second, if you are going into a national park, national monument or the like, you need to ask them if they have the proper permits to lead commercial tours in that park. I pay a good-size chunk of money just for the permit to lead commercial trips in Big Bend National Park. I have seen many dishonest photographers post a Big Bend National Park Night Sky Workshop, but in reality they are only in Terlingua as they don’t pay for the commercial permit. I have had rangers stop and ask for my permit. Imagine if you pay for a photography tour or workshop and your tour leader is stopped and you find out you have to leave the park or monument because they were cheating the system.

Third, a great guide will make sure you capture outstanding images first and foremost. They will put you on the bird before they start taking a shot. That is what you are paying them to do for you. If you are basically paying a “tip” for a service, then odds are great you are going to get what you pay for these days.

Fourth, someone who is just offering to “take you somewhere” for a small fee without truly providing guide services is not nearly as likely to consider your date(s) booked. I have heard from a client about this very thing happening to them. Once you pay a deposit with me, your dates are guaranteed! Unless of course a bear chooses to make me dinner between now and then!

Fifth, if this is someone who is just doing it on the side and not professionally, understand, they are not going to have the same level of commitment, business philosophy, dedication and desire as someone who relies on it for a living.

In the long run, you just need to make sure you are investing your money wisely when paying for a photography/birding guide.