UNCONVENTIONAL TRAVELERS is a small, personalized photography tour company that focuses on inspiring travelers to see the world in a new way by experiencing first hand other cultures and lifestyles. We believe that some of the best adventures occur when you are far away from familiar things. Renowned photographer Daryl Hawk will be with you every step of the way showing you his style and techniques to help you get better travel photographs that capture the true essence of the country. We take our guests on extraordinary trips to places unspoiled by tourism where the raw beauty of these places is awe- inspiring and the emotions they create can be life changing. We also go to some classic destinations, but we experience them in a more authentic and in-depth fashion than most other tour groups.
Contact us for customized tour dates.
Our journeys are also perfect for the entire family.
We specialize in small sized tours that will lead you on a magical journey to excite and transform you. These stimulating photographic explorations inspire and connect travelers with some of the world’s most beautiful places. Our groups absorb the authentic culture of a place, immersing the traveler in the local landscapes and capturing its essence through photography while celebrating memorable moments. All levels of photographers are encouraged to expand their perspectives and cultural awareness – all you need is a camera or smartphones and an adventurous spirit.
We travel with a purpose where curiosity is always in motion. We feel we have a responsibility to leave places a little better than we found them and offer some trips that get involved with conservation projects. Discussions and outdoor assignments on these journeys are incorporated in our innovative itineraries. A portion of the proceeds from each of our trips goes towards a climate neutrality initiative meaning our travels have less of a negative impact on the environment and local communities.
We are now excited to also offer two trips geared just for inquisitive high school students. These are excursions to Ecuador and Cuba that will allow teenagers to learn more about other cultures by being immersed within a community while also working on developing their photography skills. We will also being giving back to the areas we visit by working with leaders there to focus on ways we can be of service. This is the perfect opportunity for the mature teenager who wants fulfill their desire to travel while also helping others.
Plan on the following emphasis when you travel with us:
- the art of engaging the local people who inhabit these faraway lands which ultimately will lead to great photographic opportunities and meaningful relationships
- the ability to look at life up close by immersing yourself in your surroundings and living every minute in the present moment
- learning to use your camera as a tool to slow down the world around you; you will learn to look for dramatic light, find strong subject matter for compelling compositions, and creating spontaneity in situations when the opportunity arises.
- the art of telling stories with your camera, shooting an in-depth documentary with the perfect combination of people, landscapes, architecture, wildlife, etc.
We have trips planned for the 2019 and 2020 season to the following areas that Daryl Hawk has personally traveled to many times and is very familiar with: Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Patagonia and Peru. True adventure involves the unknown but you want to travel with people who are intimately familiar with a destination. We go to great lengths to show our guests the best that this magnificent planet has to offer. Yes, you can still legally travel to Cuba and we are leading the way in legal travel for Americans! Come travel with us in and become an Unconventional Traveler!
“Daryl Hawk’s striking and vivid photographs show excellent composition and tremendous color. His work reflects his expertise in both his profession in photography and his teaching about travel. Anyone able to join Daryl for one of his trips will certainly be inspired, improve their photography skills, and come back with the worldly perspective of an experienced traveler.”
Daniel, May 2019
TO BE AN UNCONVENTIONAL TRAVELER:
- recognize that your presence has an impact on the places you visit
- spend your time and money in ways that sustain local character
- value the destination’s natural and cultural heritage
- respect local customs and traditions
- express appreciation to local people about things you find interesting and unique to the place: its nature and scenery, music and food, Historic villages and buildings
- support the people who support the place, patronizing businesses that make an effort to celebrate and protect what’s unique there. enrich yourself, taking home memories and stories to tell, knowing that you have contributed to the preservation and enhancement of the destination
Meet Daryl Hawk
For the past 30 years, explorer and international documentary photographer Daryl Hawk has traveled alone to some of the most remote places in the world telling stories with his camera. Places where time stands still and powerful nature and solitude reigns supreme. Hawk spends weeks at a time documenting and immersing himself in different cultures and landscapes. He is a passionate defender of the world’s remaining wilderness areas and uses his photography to shine a light on why we need to protect them. Also, one of his main goals with his documentaries is to show the universality of all people from all countries world-wide.
His articles and images often appear in magazines and newspapers worldwide. He has also been featured several times on NBC’s Today Show and FOX 5 television. He is a member of the Explorers Club, founded in New York City in 1904 promoting the exploration of land, sea, air and space. He is also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Professional Photographers Association. Hawk has published five hardcover photography books and given over 1,000 speaking presentations to audiences around the country.
He is the former producer and host of the Cablevision television show “The Unconventional Traveler” which features some of the world’s leading explorers, travel photographers and filmmakers sharing their work from various expeditions and documentaries. He produced over 100 shows over a 10 year period.
In 2004 Hawk had the unique distinction of carrying the historic Explorers Club flag across the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan (“Bhutan West to East Traverse”, flag #73). A guest of the Royal family, he was hired to produce and host an in-depth documentary for both American and Bhutanese television as well as international magazines. An Explorers Club flag expedition must further the cause of exploration and field science.
As a world documentary photographer, Daryl has encountered countless environments and cultural situations that have drawn on his broad range of experiences, but also on his technical and visual knowledge needed to maximize photography. His sensitivity to “light” and the best times of the day to capture a subject, makes him a valuable asset to anyone who wants to capture their visual experiences!
Daryl Hawk is the “Photographer Guide” that will provide give you meaningful, eye-opening experiences!
David Pressier