LIVING SKY EXPERIENCE

At Living Sky Photography Tours we are known for our adaptability, making photography accessible for all skill levels. We are fully dedicated to working with you in the classroom and the field to help you progress. While we welcome participants of all skill levels, we recommend acquainting yourself with your equipment before the workshop for a richer experience. Familiarizing yourself with camera operation, the exposure triangle, live view, and concepts such as the histogram beforehand is beneficial. Rest assured, if you need assistance with any of these aspects, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

While we try to ensure that our workshops can be attended by everyone, our focus on giving you the best experience possible means that some hiking should be expected. While storm chasing typically involves minimal physical activity, other parts of our workshops may require a degree of physical endurance. The longest hike that we might put on our itinerary is 12.1km with 274m of elevation gain (it is not a required hike, but the destination is one of the most impressive views and unique geology our province has to offer; check out the All Trails description). Keep in mind, that Saskatchewan is not home to mountainous terrain, the hiking is rated as moderate or easy along flat or gently sloped terrain. Most other hikes are a 3-5km round trip.

On some days a lot, on some very little. A lengthy drive might occupy 5 or 6 hours on certain days, while others could entail just an hour or two on the road. The duration largely hinges on our location and the objectives set for the day. Flexibility is key to ensuring we make the most of each moment and capture the best photographic opportunities.

Please review all workshop terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy prior to booking.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in these workshops:

Included:

• In-field instruction and location guidance.
• Recorded video for processing instructions.
• Lodging.
• Some meals within the scope of accommodations (e.g., if a hotel provides breakfast, it’s included).

Not included:

• Flights, rental cars, meals, snacks, and beverages.

Transportation:

• Transportation to and from shooting locations and our hotel is provided.
• Transportation from the airport to the first hotel is not included.
• If you prefer, you can choose to drive your own vehicle or carpool with other participants. Reach out to coordinate if you opt for this.

Important notes about food:

• We’ll do our best to schedule breaks for most meals, but be prepared for non-traditional meal times. Lunch might be a quick Subway in the vehicle en route to a storm setup, and supper could be a late-night burger at 10 PM. Flexibility is key as we prioritize capturing extraordinary moments and adapting to the dynamic nature of our itinerary.
• It’s highly recommended to have breakfast before the daily meet-up and carry snacks.
• We prioritize capturing incredible locations and maximizing shooting opportunities, so be prepared for significant distances from amenities in some cases.

In short, quite a bit. Sunrise, storm photography, sunset, and night photography may all be on the agenda in a single day. That said, catching sunrises may be unlikely due to our other shooting priorities. The goal is to maximize shooting opportunities and provide ample learning experiences.

Even during less-than-optimal conditions, we’ll be out shooting. The workshop is a learning journey, and I want you to have your camera in hand as much as possible. Despite this, there will still be some planned downtime for rest and editing. Our morning meetings are designed to ensure you make the most of both capturing moments and honing your post-processing skills

Yes, your significant other IS allowed to come! There are a few conditions though. There is a fee that varies per workshop that covers things like insurance, lodging, etc. While transportation during the workshop is covered for workshop guests, it is not included for your significant other. They will need their own vehicle to follow along (the exception is during a storm chase. Due to safety concerns, we only allow drivers with Saskatchewan backroad experience on chases. If there is room inside a vehicle with an approved driver, your significant other can join us). Secondly, workshop accommodations are set up for double occupancy, so if your significant other does join, they will be responsible for the single room supplement fee (varies per workshop). We want your partner to enjoy their trip, but they must understand that they are on our time, which means we will not leave a shoot early for them. Lastly, the biggie, there is to be no use of any other camera besides a cell phone or point-and-shoot and they will receive no personalized instruction.

We prioritize your safety above all else. No photograph is worth jeopardizing your life. However, there may be situations where you find yourself in conditions that require close monitoring. The most significant safety concern in our workshops is not being aware of your own limitations. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the specific physical requirements of each workshop before you decide to participate (see question above for specific details)

Storm chasing is inherently risky, especially when dealing with supercell thunderstorms on the vast Saskatchewan plains. These storms are as perilous as they are captivating. That’s why we have a comprehensive safety plan in place, which we thoroughly discuss during our orientation. While your safety is our utmost concern, it’s important to recognize that we are not in control—Mother Nature is. Although we have personally remained uninjured throughout years of storm chasing, there have been some close calls. Embracing the risk associated with chasing supercell thunderstorms is part of the experience, as it carries the potential for serious injury or even loss of life. While a well-defined safety plan and accurate forecasting can mitigate some of this risk, there is always a degree of risk that must be acknowledged when pursuing these storms.