Reviewed: May, 2024

truly outstanding

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Our tour of Uzbekistan with Tom at Raw Tours was truly outstanding.  I loved every minute of it.

Uzbekistan has so much to offer - and Tom's expertise in photography education; the exceptional planning, organisation, attention to detail throughout the tour and his relaxed manner ensured that we encountered the very best of this incredible country.

Throughout, the details were taken care of - drivers were always on time, our guide was superb, knowledgeable, passionate about his country and adaptable - going to great lengths to ensure we we head plenty of time for photography, whilst sharing his love of Uzbekistan and its rich history.

Its impossible to pick one highlight - there were many - Ayaz Kala and the desert yurt camp, wedding celebrations steeped in tradition, a visit to a family home in the countryside with spectacular scenery, the exquisite architecture of Registan,  the 'extreme hospitality' - it is hard to comprehend or describe warmth and depth of welcome we experienced.

All in all, it was brilliant - anyone could have a fabulous holiday in Uzbekistan - but there will be few who will organise it as well as Tom.  I'd recommend Raw Tours to anyone considering a photography holiday.  

I'll definitely be booking another tour - I just need to decide where next!

Reviewed: April, 2024

absolutely phenomenal! 

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My photography tour experience with Tom Bourdon in Vietnam was absolutely phenomenal! From the perfect planning to the excellent selection of hotels and delicious food, every aspect of the tour was meticulously organized. Tom's photography instructions were spot-on, helping me capture some truly amazing shots that I'll treasure forever. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore Vietnam through the lens of a camera.

You won't be disappointed!

Reviewed: November, 2023

I learn so much

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Tom does a great job of making sure everything runs smoothly on these trips. I learn so much about the people and culture of the regions we visit as well as how to vastly improve my photography.

Reviewed: June, 2023

Every day and every site was a highlight

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The 12 day tour was exceptional, with a fantastic itinerary & scheduling.
The people of Uzbekistan are so friendly and interested in foreigners and it was often the locals asking if they could take a photo with us, or asking if we would take a photo of them, so that was one of my weak points eliminated straight away (I rarely take photos of people at home, because I don't like approaching strangers to ask).
The tour included the desert yurt camp at Ayaz Kala with the ancient forts and camel herders through to the cities of Fergana, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, with their magnificent architecture, markets, bazaars, artisans and history as well as stops on long drives through the country to talk to & photograph crop farmers and sheep, goat & cattle herders.
Every day and every site visited was a highlight, but there were two extra special occasions, the first being that we were invited to a wedding, or at least 2 parts of the 3-day extravaganza that Uzbek weddings are, and the second was an invitation to the home of our guide Islams’ parents & brother in the countryside. Both of these were extraordinarily personal and we were welcomed to both like long lost friends of the families involved.
The local guide, Islam, was our own personal Siri - ask any question about Uzbekistan and he had the answer, with names, dates and many side stories. His knowledge and passion for his country's history & geography is amazing.
Tom also set aside time to give one to one critiques of our photos and provide advice & suggestions for improvement. The opportunities to practice all genres of photography seemed endless, but at the same time, there was no pressure on anyone to take all or any of these opportunities – don’t like the 4.30am start, not a problem, we’ll be back for breakfast at 8 and you can join us then.
If my rambling on doesn't say it clearly enough, I have no hesitation at all in recommending Tom's photography tours

Reviewed: June, 2022

Tom is a great teacher

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I had the privilege to join Tom and on this incredible trip to Uzbekistan. When I was first invited to join the group I thought, will it be dangerous? Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

Uzbekistan is a country full of extremely inviting people with ready smiles. Where else in the world would a bride and groom invite strangers to their wedding and make them feel like they have been a part of the family forever? Thank you Tom for arranging our invitation.

Tom took us to places that I could have only imagined, from barren lands where we spent time in a yurt and were entertained by local people to the magnificent UNESCO sites and cities full of history and culture.

Tom is a great teacher and took time out to help each and every one of us. No question was ever too ‘silly’ to ask. I would not hesitate to join him on another photography tour. Everything was well planned and not rushed. The trip was perfect until the end when we had to say goodbye; goodbye to the the people and country of Uzbekistan and goodbye to our group. But wait! It’s never goodbye. I now have friends around the world and hope to travel with them again one day. Until then…..

Reviewed: Aug, 2021

Amazing photo opportunities and possibilities to learn!

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I really enjoyed taking this trip with Tom!
The places were fantastic with incredible photo opportunities.
Tom is kindly always available to help and support anyone with their photography, I got so many tips and learned so much!
I loved staying with families in traditional accommodations and get a glance into their lives, it was fascinating.
I highly recommend photo tours with Tom!

Reviewed: May, 2024

TBC

.............

Reviewed: April, 2024

best photo tours

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The photo tour with Tom in Vietnam met all my expectations. It was much better than a usual tourist trip. We could learn a lot more of the county's culture and traditions. Tom is excellent guide and photographer, I learned a lot during the trip. The food and the accomodations were perfect.

This Vietnam journey belongs to my best photo tours. Thanks.

Reviewed: April, 2024

his clients come first

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Many photography tour guides are excellent photographers, but Tom Bourdon is a special tour guide as well as an excellent photographer.  His purpose is to give his clients an experience of the world based in a love of travel and discovery, not just of photography, but in our place as human beings on this planet struggling to find meaning as well as pleasure in the tiniest moments (including those before dawn.)   He goes the extra mile to find destinations that are unique, people who wear their weariness on their faces, and delicious restaurants and comfortable hotels.  The guides are knowledgable and very helpful.  Tom is also extremely helpful, attentive to improve, and discrete.  The trip is not about him, his clients come first.

Reviewed: November, 2023

something for every level of photographer

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Tom gets you to the right places at the correct times for the highest chance of successful photographs. There is something for every level of photographer. Even as a veteran photographer, I was challenged by specific scenarios; Tom was able to put me in the best positions for success through advice and even holding my hand occasionally.

I learned things, and I am a better photographer from this experience.

I would not hesitate to go on another tour with Tom.

Reviewed: June, 2023

An exceptional adventure

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I just returned from the photography tour organized by Tom in Uzbekistan, for 12 days, which included the cities of Fergana, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, located on the silk road, as well as two days spent in yurts, in the desert. It was an exceptional adventure, a fascinating foray into the culture and traditions of this country, an experience of knowledge and learning.I saw wonderful places, I discovered the phenomenal architecture, the traditions that this people transmits from generation to generation with passion and patience - whether it is the manufacture of silk, ceramics, metalworking, carpet weaving, embroidery, calligraphy or simply the preparation of bread. We had the opportunity to be in contact with people who showed us their talent, craft and art, the photo sessions being extremely challenging and very satisfying.
The conditions in which we lived, the food and the transport, were all impeccable.
Tom is an exceptional photographer and a special person, of great finesse, who patiently answers questions and guides with great pleasure to perfect the photography of those in the group.
I warmly recommend the photography tour with Tom and thank him for this memorable photographic, cultural and spiritual adventure.

Reviewed: Nov, 2021

Great people in a wonderful landscape

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The trip to Kyrgyzstan was an exceptional experience. It was well organized , the guides were great and Tom and the two local guides did everything they could to make us feel welcome and at home.

Kyrgyzstan is a great country and the people are open minded and friendly! We had lots of opportunities to take pictures of all kinds, from people to market stalls, from macro photography to amazing landscapes. The accommodation ranked from nice hotel to simple yurts, were mostly guest houses where it was possible to meet the hosts.

I especially enjoyed the stop-overs at yurt camps along the roads where we were usually invited to have tea with the owners. So all in all, it was a great adventure, but we never ever felt unsafe! I can highly recommend the journey!!!

Reviewed: June, 2022

I won't hesitate to join again

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After two inspirational tours with Tom I won't hesitate to join again. Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are magnificent countries to visit, the people are kind and generous (and photogenic). The trip was well planned and there was excellent guidance. Thank you for a memorable experience!

Reviewed: June, 2022

I learned so much

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Our photo tour in Uzbekistan was great! I learned so much about the geography and culture there and, as usual, I learned so much about how to be a better photographer thanks to the advice, critiques, and lessons provided by Tom and Richard. The guides and drivers that helped us on our journey were were also wonderful. I look forward to the next photo tour that Tom schedules!

Reviewed: Sept, 2021

Best way of discovering Kyrgyzstan and yourself as a photographer

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One of the best trips ever ! We discovered an amazing culture, authentic people and exotic places. We also learned so much as photographers. Tom was outstanding at mentoring us on how to get to the next level, making sure we got the most out of this beautiful experience.

Reviewed: April, 2024

vastly improve my photography

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Tom does a great job of making sure everything runs smoothly on these trips.  I learn so much about the people and culture of the regions we visit as well as how to vastly improve my photography.  I've been on four trips with Tom so far:  Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Peru and Vietnam and each trip was unique and memorable.

Reviewed: November, 2023

Very knowledgeable

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Fantastic journey, lots of photo opportunities, Tom and Nico are very knowledgeable about the area and helped a lot to make it a success

Reviewed: August, 2023

A lot of care

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Tom is a real guru.
He doesn´t show you his way, he shows and facilitates that you find your own way. He tries to help you to be your better version as photographer.
He is very generous with the information about every aspect of photography; in a gentle mood he gives you tips and sound advice to improve and enjoy even more your own photography.
He is so respectful of your own taste and interests and in no way, he forces you to change your identity as photographer. So many « teachers of photography» think that´s his way is the only one and they want that you make photos as they do. Tom doesn´t.
It´s very impressive to see him working. Almost every moment he is looking for lights, shadows, the possible subjects and just looking him how he moves around, you are learning a lot. You are looking in real time how a great photographer does his art, how he looks, how he moves around, how he searches for a good point of view or for an interesting subject.
In the sessions of critique, he has a lot of care to help everyone to see the possibilities of every photo, how to diminish or eliminate the impact of the things that doesn’t contribute to and to enhance the good aspects of your image. This is a very good point of view to process, to edit photos. And Tom do it in a gentle manner with the true purpose of transfer his knowledge. It´s impossible to finish the tour without be a better photographer that you were at the beginning. You will improve you level, «garantized».

Reviewed: August, 2022

Life changing experiences

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Taking now the second photography tour with Tom and following part of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, I can tell you all his tours are life changing experiences, not only as a photographer but as human being.I learned so much about my camera and photography in these trips, probably what I would accumulate in an entire year on my own. Talented photographer, outstanding group leader and patient mentor, Tom organized another beautiful and diverse trip, packed with unique places and memorable experiences. My favorite was definitely the traditional Uzbek wedding, where we got to capture rituals and customs of thousand years old culture.

Reviewed: August, 2021

Magnificent journey for the adventurous spirit

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A magnificent journey to nourish the adventurous spirit. The trip was well planned to enable the group to experience many aspects of the local culture. There were some long hours of travel but they were worth every minute. And Tom inspired everyone to become a better photographer. It was fun, it was adventurous, it was exciting and exhausting!

Reviewed: Aug, 2021

Kyrgyzstan Photo Tour

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This was the trip of a lifetime for me! I learned so much about photography as well as the geography and culture of Kyrgyzstan. Tom did an excellent job of coordinating our activities each day, teaching us how to take better photos no matter what our skill level was and making sure everyone was safe, well-fed, and had comfortable sleeping quarters each night :)

The sites were incredible and the local people that we met on our journey were also incredible. Tom went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great learning experience.

Reviewed: August, 2022

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Wow, what an adventure! 

My trip to Uzbekistan with Tom was filled with amazing sights, delectable food, and fascinating culture all experienced with the company of the truly wonderful people who also joined the tour. Tom is kind and gracious with a subtle wit. He paid attention to every detail to ensure that our journey was enjoyable. The accommodations ranged from a traditional desert yurt to luxury hotels, each located in areas that made exploration and photo opportunities simple. Tom’s in-country tour guide was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and attentive to our needs. He arranged for very comfortable transportation, provided historic background of the sites we visited, immersed us in Uzbeki culture, and made sure that we were well fed with incredibly delicious Uzbeki cuisine.

The people, the architecture, and the landscape of Uzbekistan provided endless opportunities for photography. Tom and Richard were always there to give advice when needed. They provided as much, or as little feedback as wanted. I particularly enjoyed Richard’s guidance on how to make people in marketplaces feel comfortable being photographed, a skill that he has certainly mastered.

The tour exceeded my expectations in every way. I learned a lot, I had a blast, and was enriched by the experience. I look forward to exploring another part of our amazing planet with tom in the future.

Reviewed: August, 2021

Exceeded Expectations

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Wow, what an adventure! Tom and his team organized a world-class photography expedition, jammed pack with opportunities for pro photographers, or beginners, with a passion for exploring the road less traveled.

Tom is a true professional and a pleasure to travel with, he worked very hard to make sure you get the photos you're trying to achieve. This trip really raised the bar for photography adventures, I highly recommend Tom Bourdon Photography Tours.