PHOTO NOMAD TOURS

About Us

David Samuel Robbins is the Founder and Director of Photo Nomad Tours and the instructor on our workshops in Morocco, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Jordan.

He is a past lead guide and photo instructor for National Geographic Expeditions group tours in Bhutan and Tibet, and a past programming developer and lead instructor for the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops' tours in Morocco, Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Nepal.

David also worked as a photojournalist for over 12 years, shooting assignments worldwide for National Geographic, the New York Times Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Islands, and many other publications.

David has a particular expertise and affection for the Himalaya, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, regions he has visited over 50 times as a photographer, cultural guide and photography workshop instructor. His book, Himalayan Odyssey: A Visual Journey Across the Great Range (2002), was the culmination of 10 years’ work and over 2,000 miles of trekking in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. David speaks Nepali and is currently studying Hindi.

His latest book, India: Fragments from the Constellation is the culmination of a 3-year project of street photography from 12 of India's most culturally fascinating and visually vibrant cities. Publication is scheduled for Fall 2020.

David is a passionate explorer and a patient and generous teacher. Please review the TESTIMONIALS section of the website for feedback from our past clients.

Regarding his teaching philosophy, David writes:

“The central challenge for today’s travel photographers is to develop a distinctive, personal style of visually representing their experiences — to somehow return home with images that transcend predictable clichés, to create a stylistically unique and consistent body of work that comments as much about the artist’s individuality as about their subject matter.

I see my role as a photography instructor to guide and encourage that process, to help each student on the path to discovering and refining their personal vision. Only part of that process involves camera equipment and computers. Compelling environmental portraiture requires great people skills and the ability to quickly connect with strangers, despite language and cultural differences.

Through group demonstrations and one-on-one sessions, I’ll guide you in strategies to go beyond (and get below) these gorgeous and exotic surfaces, as you advance your skills in classic street photography, intimate environmental portraiture, and alternatives to the standard-issue travelogue.”