Deschutes River Photo Tour

HIGHLIGHTS

Running through the middle of Bend, the Deschutes River offers plenty of amazing photo ops. Whether we decide to go through downtown Bend, Dillon Falls, or Shevlin Park, the Deschutes River never disappoints.
This tour can include some moderate walking. We'll show you our favorite shots based on how active you want to be.
Private Tour capped at 2 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.
Tour Price: $299 up to 2 people

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TOUR DETAILS

Tour Length: 2 hours all inclusive

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, depending on how much hiking you would like to do. Once you book your tour we will send out a short survey to better assess your goals for the trip and what you would like to see and learn. We can cater each tour to your specifications.

Tour Departure: Once you’re all booked, our guides will reach out to you with meet up information a couple weeks prior to your departure date to set up all the details for your private tour.

Guides: What sets our team apart is no matter which guide you are matched with, all are expert published photographers are passionate about creating an tailored photographic experience with you.

Weather Conditions: Although Bend is notorious for "300 day of sunshine a year" there are days where the weather is less than optimal. In most cases we can reroute to another location with better weather outlook for the day. Note that we cannot offer refunds due to weather unless we cannot go out at all, but can definitely reschedule if your availability allows. Also keep in mind that inclement weather often results in some of the most dramatic and stunning photos! Just make sure you dress and prepare accordingly.

Food/Water: We do not provide food on our outings. All participants should bring food/water to hold them through during the tour.

What to Wear: You should check the weather forecast prior to coming on the trip. Temperatures due tend to drop once the sun goes down, so I always encourage bringing layers. If it’s going to be hot, wear light-colored clothing and a hat. If the temperatures are cold, bring some warm layers and long pants. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Bug replant comes in handy too! If it’s very cold and or windy, don’t forget a jacket, warm hat and some gloves. If rain or snow is in the forecast, bring a rain jacket. We recommend wearing sturdy footwear due to the uneven terrain and we could do some hiking.

Restroom Facilities: Most of the parking lots have restrooms.

Cell Phones: Bring your cell phone along! They are great for capturing candid images. Note that cell service is limited during some of the drives. There are USB ports in our vehicles so bring a charging cable if you need one.

Group Size: 2 max - Private tour

Night Photography: Occasionally we get requests to stay out later for night photography. If this is something you would like to do, we can stay around 2 hrs after sunset to capture the stars. The cost of this add-on is $175. We will only do this extension if skies are clear. We will offer night photography instruction during this session.

Camera Gear: While our guides are all expert photographers, we might not be experts with your specific camera model. In order to get the most out of the tour, you will need a camera that has the ability to control ISO, aperture and shutter speed independently, and know how to access those features on your camera. As for lenses, a wide angle zoom lens is the most useful for landscape pictures (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). A mid-range lens can also come in handy or if you don’t have a wide angle (24-70 on full frame or 18-55 on crop sensor). Polarizer filters are also fun to have to "pop" the landscapes as well as neutral density filters for shooting smooth waterfall and river shots. Tripods are a must since we are shooting in low light situations at sunset. Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.