Anyone ever hired a photographer to cover their hunting trip?

[JimP]

I did on my trip to Africa last year or I should say the group of us did and we are glad that we did. He was a professional and gave each of us a CD of the hunts. His rates were $150 a day with a 5 day minimum and for that he put together the video along with editing it. Looking at the cost of living in South Africa compared to the US I would expect to have to pay around $300 a day here in the US. The problem is finding someone that is knowledgeable of hunting to get the right shots and not to be in the way or cause problems once the animal is spotted.

 

[Hilltop]

Sorry for not following up sooner... I'd be interested to pick your brain. Mind if I follow up with you?

I was thinking of a flat rate that varied depending on the type of hunt... $3-5k (obviously a backcountry hunt for Dall Sheep in Alaska requires different gear than, say, a turkey hunt here in the lower 48), plus a smaller daily rate $300-500 for every additional day needed beyond 4 or 5 days. Seem reasonable?

Cj, I think the majority of the guys on here would turn you down if your service was free. I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers but rather being realistic. Without solid western big game experience under your belt, you simply are lacking the experience needed to not be a liability on the mountain.

 

[nicktrehearne]

Cj, I think the majority of the guys on here would turn you down if your service was free. I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers but rather being realistic. Without solid western big game experience under your belt, you simply are lacking the experience needed to not be a liability on the mountain.

I agree 100%. That's why there is value in the photographers that do in fact do it for a living. Not only do you have to be amazing behind the lens, but you also need to have a strong hunting / backcountry resume and know animal behaviors, and what you can get away with without costing the hunter an animal. After all, no one will be happy with an epic shot if you just cost them the buck or bull of a lifetime....