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Job Description

Imagine your skills as a photographer and leader taking you on adventures across the globe as a Photography Trip Leader for Backcountry Journeys Tours, Workshops & Safaris. In this role, you will work to provide outstanding customer care through tour schedule management and top-flight wildlife & landscape photography instruction, all while on location at some of the most beautiful natural locations anywhere.

You read that right, we’re offering to pay you to travel and photograph the world! If you are an experienced outdoor leader, accomplished photographer AND you love people, photography, wildlife and beautiful places, please continue reading.

With Great Responsibility Comes Even Greater Reward

This job is one with plenty of “in it for you,” so let us expand on that quickly. You’ll be paid to see the world and to increase your exposure and personal portfolio, all while experiencing some of natures’ greatest accomplishments as you lead, instruct, and provide care for our guests.

Backcountry Journeys offers a variety of Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris at locations across the country such as Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks, as well as in British Columbia, Newfoundland, and Churchill. Internationally, we operate tours & safaris in Africa, Costa Rica, Iceland, India, and Brazil. ​​​​​​​

Being a great photographer is simply not enough, though. We are in need of someone who possesses the “it” factor, and we have no qualms about searching every corner of the world to find the perfect person for this position: A natural leader who is never satisfied with “good enough” when it comes to the details.

Is this you? Sound like a dream? That’s because it is!

Job Requirements

• Two years (minimum) experience leading multi-day trips/tours
• Professional Photography & Videography experience
• Strong Public Speaker, Teacher, Educator
• Good with people & strong group management
• Strong writing skills (professional experience writing is a huge bonus)
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
• Must be able to teach landscape & wildlife photography
• Must be able to teach Lightroom & Photoshop
• Strong Knowledge & Experience in all locations in which you would like to guide
• Current driver’s license with clean driving record
• Own Professional Photography Gear
• Own Cell Phone with data plan

Duties and Responsibilities

As the Trip Leader you are ultimately responsible for the success of each tour you lead. This includes itinerary and time management and taking care of all of the details that go into it. Managing guest enjoyment and satisfaction by balancing expectations is a significant part of your responsibilities. Having an understanding of “anticipatory service,” and being able to work well with a cross-section of personality types is essential.

The ability to tailor photography instruction, so that individuals feel they’ve had quality one-on-one time with their instructor.

All guides are required to know the ‘in’s’ and ‘out’s’ of each trip itinerary for which they lead. This means that you will have an expert’s understanding of each shot location on a tour itinerary, including knowledge about the lighting condition. That you have hiked each trail, driven each road, visited each hotel and restaurant that are part of the tour, etc. As the leader, you are the “expert” at all times.

Demonstrate professionalism and a high level of courtesy to our guests, National Park staff, restaurant and hotel staff, and any public figures you engage with while representing Backcountry Journeys.

It is critical to be on time in every single aspect of a trip. This includes being responsive and timely with every guest interaction and running a perfectly timed photography tour.

Safety and risk management: You are expected to take the lead in maintaining safety during a tour. This includes instructing guests on safety matters in advance, maintaining a safe environment throughout, and identifying and reporting any accidents, incidents or close calls that may occur.

You are responsible for carrying and understanding the correct use of emergency and safety equipment, including but not limited to First Aid Kit, Bear Spray, Satellite Phone and crampons, and to be up to date with all certifications as such.

Paid "shadow" trips are required for every new or incoming guide, regardless of experience level. The number of shadow trips required will be based on experience and performance.

Photo Guides must submit a “Trip Report,” as well as high-res photographs & video following the completion of each trip for use in BCJ web, print & social media advertising. Additional opportunities to contribute with educational video and written content are also available.

Photo Guides must be competent and capable of providing instruction in both Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop. Being/becoming Adobe certified is a bonus.

Backcountry Journeys Perks

We’ve mentioned already the most obvious perks of this position. Namely, travel and photography. But, there’s more. We're fast-paced and rapidly growing. Our small, but mighty, team is composed of talented and motivated individuals who enjoy coming into work. We think you will, too!

Job Benefits
Pay & Gratuities
$25.50/hour total compensation (includes 4% vacation pay).

Our guests are encouraged to show appreciation to their guides by paying them gratuities (and these are often substantial) but BCJ cannot guarantee gratuities.

Paid Travel (air or mileage from major hub to destination) Hotels / Camping on travel, prep & refresher days before the clients travel day and all lodging / meals during the trip. Hotel or campground fees (depending on weather and availability) for refresher days.

Scouting Days
Meaning re-orienting yourself with the work area i.e. Banff, Yoho, etc. locating trailheads, driving the roads, finding trailheads, hotels and restaurants we use on the tour. Also gathering specific interpretation information for that area, for example attending ranger talks, visiting visitor centers. Refresher days are usually mandatory and are paid at your current daily guide rate
Portfolio Enhancement
As a guide, you will have the opportunity to enhance your photographic portfolio each time you lead a BCJ trip. You are absolutely encouraged to shoot alongside our guests during trips – just so long as it is not at their expense & doesn’t jeopardize the quality of the guest experience. You’ll also be asked to contribute to the company’s marketing and content through written and video projects, as assigned.

Application Instructions:
If you’d like to be considered for this role please submit the application below along with the following.

*Please note that applications without the following will not be reviewed.

• Cover letter and PDF of your resume
• A 3-minute video introduction telling us about yourself & why we want to interview you!

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person